ABILENE, Kan., March 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALCS) today announced that sales from continuing operations, excluding fuel, increased 3.3% to $36.4 million for the fiscal four-week period ended March 3, 2013, compared to $35.2 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales were equal to a year earlier.
Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "February same-store sales were virtually unchanged from a year earlier. The impact of two major snowstorms, which forced a number of stores across the Central United States to shut down at various times during the month, also provided an opportunity to sell additional winter seasonal merchandise. We remain positive about ALCO's top-line opportunities moving into the spring season with the addition of frozen food, our expanded and improved Outdoor Seasonal business and our new apparel introductions, which so far are gaining a favorable reception from our customers."
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.
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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.