ABILENE, Kan., May 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALCS) today announced that sales from continuing operations, excluding fuel, increased 0.9% to $116.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, a 13-week period ended May 5, 2013, compared to $114.9 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, first-quarter sales decreased 2.2% from a year earlier.
Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Sales in the first fiscal quarter were negatively impacted by extended winter weather conditions, which lasted through April throughout much of the Midwest. More than 80% of the decrease in same-store sales performance came from seasonal businesses such as Outdoor Living, Horticulture, Sporting Goods and Menswear. The decreases in outdoor businesses were partially offset by favorable sales performance in Domestics, Housewares, and Women's Apparel where customers have responded favorably to the introduction of our new apparel lines."
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Friday, June 14, 2013, to discuss operating results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, ended May 5, 2013. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-481-2844 (international/local participants dial 719-785-1753), and the Conference Code is 2271713. 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 June 14, 2013 through June 19, 2013, by dialing 888-203-1112 (international/local participants dial 719-457-0820), and the Replay Code is 2271713. 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 217 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 112 years. To learn more about the Company, visit www.ALCOstores.com.
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.