ABILENE, Kan., Nov. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALCS) today announced that sales from continuing operations, excluding fuel, increased 1.9% to $34.2 million for the fiscal four-week period ended October 28, 2012, compared to $33.5 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales decreased 1.8% from a year earlier.
On a year-to-date basis, sales from continuing operations, excluding fuel, increased 1.7% to $340.6 million for the fiscal 39-week period ended October 28, 2012, compared to $334.9 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales decreased 1.2% from a year earlier.
Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "October sales results in key holiday businesses were positive, including toys, sporting goods, stationery, housewares, domestics and furniture. The commodity businesses, which were impacted by the shift of Halloween, were essentially flat. Decreases in our apparel business impacted total company same-store-sales, and are a result of lower sales in cold weather apparel due to warmer than normal October temperatures across much of our footprint."
Mr. Wilson concluded, "We are excited about our new stores opening in November in Tioga, North Dakota and Cut Bank, Montana. We also anticipate a positive impact on our Commodities division as a result of the freezers and coolers that will be installed in our stores and stocked early in the fourth quarter."
Investor Conference Call
ALCO Stores, Inc. will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Friday, December 7, 2012, to discuss operating results for the fiscal year's third quarter, ended October 28, 2012. The dial-in number for the conference call is 800-289-0493 (international/local participants dial 913-312-0655), and the Conference Code is 1788646. 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 December 7, 2012, through December 12, 2012, by dialing 888-203-1112 (international/local participants dial 719-457-0820), and the Replay Code is 1788646. 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 ALCO Stores, Inc.
ALCO Stores, Inc. is a broad-line retailer, primarily located in small underserved communities across 23 states. The Company has 215 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 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.