ABILENE, Kan., April 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:DUCK) today announced that sales from continuing operations increased 4.0% to $45.0 million for the fiscal five-week period ended April 1, 2012, compared to $43.3 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 2.3% from a year earlier.
Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "March sales benefited from warmer temperatures that drove an early Spring season and contributed to strong increases in areas that included Outdoor Living, Sporting Goods and Horticulture. We also continue to see increases in the Household Commodities and Home divisions, primarily driven by increases in Food, Beauty Care, Furniture, Plastic Storage, and Seasonal Appliances. It is also important to note that our March 2.3% same-store sales increase comes on top of a 0.4% increase last year, which included the shift of Easter from March into the April time frame.
"In addition, we are pleased to announce that a new ALCO location will be opening in Conifer, Colorado during the month of May. We are excited at the opportunity to extend the ALCO brand and meet the everyday shopping needs of this community," concluded Wilson.
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Friday, April 13, 2012, to discuss operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 29, 2012. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-221-9588 (international/local participants dial 913-981-5546), and the Conference Code is 5403523. Parties interested in participating in the conference call should dial in approximately five minutes prior to 10:00 a.m. Central Time. A replay of the call will be available after 1:30 p.m. Central Time April 13, 2012 through April 18, 2012, by dialing 888-203-1112 (international/local participants dial 719-457-0820), and the Replay Code is 5403523. A replay of the call will also be available four hours after completion of the call by visiting the Investors page on the Company's website, www.ALCOstores.com.
About Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc.
Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. is a broad-line retailer, primarily located in small underserved communities across 23 states. The Company has 214 ALCO stores that offer both name brand and private label products of exceptional quality at reasonable prices. We are proud to have continually provided friendly, personal service to our customers for the past 111 years. To learn more about the Company, visit www.ALCOstores.com.
The Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5865
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Forward-looking statements can be identified by the inclusion of "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "plan," "project" and similar future-looking terms. You should not rely unduly on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and projections regarding economic conditions, retail industry environments, and the Company performance. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, and, accordingly, actual results may vary materially. Factors which could significantly change results include but are not limited to: sales performance, expense levels, competitive activity, interest rates, changes in the Company's financial condition, and factors affecting the retail category in general. Additional information regarding these and other factors may be included in the Company's 10-Q filings and other public documents, copies of which are available from the Company on request and are available from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.