Duckwall-ALCO's January sales from continuing operations up 0.2% year-over-year to US$28.1M, affected by severe weather, decreases in electronics, toys and decor; fiscal Q4 same-store sales up 1.8%, sales up 4.5%

Andrew Rogers

ABILENE, Kansas , February 3, 2011 (press release) – Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUCK) today announced that sales from continuing operations for the most recent fiscal four-week period ending January 30, 2011, increased 0.2% to $28.10 million compared to $28.05 million in the prior-year month. Same-store sales decreased 1.9%.

Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 4.5% to $135.1 million, compared to the prior-year $129.3 million. Same-store sales increased 1.8%.

Sales year-to-date decreased 0.7% to $457.7 million, compared to prior-year sales of $461.0 million. Same-store sales decreased 2.4%.

Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “January sales for ALCO Stores were impacted by severe winter storms in our northern and central plains areas and by decreases in electronics, toys, and décor businesses. We achieved increased sales in the month for our food and consumables business and our apparel departments.”

“Our fourth-quarter 1.8% sales increase represents the first positive comparable-sales quarter in the past seven quarters and reflects the success of our strategy to re-position ALCO over the past 10 months to drive additional store traffic, improve the Company’s value proposition, and improve store execution. Fourth-quarter sales were comp-positive in food and consumables, apparel and hardlines businesses.”

“We are encouraged by our fourth-quarter sales and look forward to building on the recent trend of the business to deliver improved sales, earnings and shareholder value as we begin fiscal 2012,” Mr. Wilson added.

About Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc.
Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. is a regional broad line retailer that specializes in meeting the needs of smaller, underserved communities across 23 states, primarily in the central United States. The Company offers an exceptional selection of quality products and recognized brand names at reasonable prices. Its specialty is delivering those products with the friendly, personal service its customers have come to expect. With 214 ALCO stores, the Company is proud to have continually provided excellent products at good value prices to its customers for 110 years.

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