ABILENE, Kan., April 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:DUCK) today announced that sales from continuing operations for the fiscal five-week period ended April 3, 2011, increased 3.0% to $43.8 million, compared to $42.5 million during the same period of the prior year. On a comparable store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 0.4% versus the prior year.
Sales year-to-date increased 4.1% to $79.3 million, compared to prior-year sales of $76.2 million. On a comparable store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 1.7% versus the prior year.
Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with the increase in comparable store sales, despite the shift of the Easter holiday from March last year to April this year. Our strategic initiatives to deliver more value, improve store execution and better manage inventory continue to build momentum. Following our fourth-quarter comparable store increase of 1.8%, we now have achieved positive same-store sales in the first two months of the new fiscal year."
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. CDT on April 15, 2011 to discuss operating results for the year ended January 30, 2011. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-271-8608, (international/local participants dial 913-312-1482), and the Confirmation Code is 4384694. Parties interested in participating in the conference call should dial in approximately five minutes prior to 10:00 a.m. CDT. A replay of the call will be available after 1:30 p.m. CDT, April 15, 2011 through April 20, 2011 by dialing 888-203-1112 or for international/local callers 719-457-0820. The Replay Passcode is 4384694. 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 110 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 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.