Broderick continued, “Looking ahead, our focus on operational excellence will be instrumental to unlock the full potential of our Monro.Forward initiatives. In addition, we remain well-positioned to take advantage of attractive consolidation opportunities in our fragmented industry and have successfully completed the acquisition of 30 Mountain View Tire & Service stores in California. Now with a total of 116 stores in the Western region, we are particularly excited about Monro’s growth prospects in this attractive and dynamic market. Importantly, our strategy is underpinned by a rigorous financial discipline and strong balance sheet, which we believe provide us with ample financial flexibility to execute our growth initiatives and deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
Full Year Results
Sales for fiscal 2021 decreased 10.4% to $1.126 billion from $1.257 billion in fiscal 2020. Comparable store sales were down 11.1% compared to a decrease of 2.3% in the prior year. Comparable store sales were down approximately 3% for tires, 13% for alignments, 19% for maintenance services and front end/shocks and 24% for brakes compared to the prior year. Sales for fiscal 2021 were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gross margin for fiscal 2021 was 35.1% of sales, compared to 37.9% in the prior year, primarily due to lower comparable store sales, which resulted in higher fixed distribution and occupancy costs as a percentage of sales, and a higher sales mix of tires, which resulted in higher material costs as a percentage of sales.
Total operating expenses for fiscal 2021 were $323.0 million, or 28.7% of sales compared to $375.0 million, or 29.8% of sales, in the prior year. The dollar decrease includes cost savings realized in fiscal 2021, including cost reductions in reaction to lower demand from the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease also includes previously announced store closures as well as a $6.6 million impairment charge recorded in the prior year.
Operating income was $72.2 million, or 6.4% of sales, compared to $101.7 million, or 8.1% of sales, in the prior year. Interest expense was $28.2 million in fiscal 2021, in line with fiscal 2020.
Net income for fiscal 2021 was $34.3 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, as compared to $58.0 million, or $1.71 per diluted share in fiscal 2020. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, in fiscal 2021 was $1.14, which excluded $.06 per share related to store closing costs, $.05 per share related to Monro.Forward initiatives, $.01 per share of costs related to acquisition due diligence and integration, $.01