Weather impacts Alco Stores Q1 sales

Abilene, Kan. – Discount retailer Alco Stores blamed the impact of cold weather across the Midwest for helping to produce sluggish sales performance during fiscal first quarter 2013. Alco Stores reported sales of continuing operations excluding fuel of $116 million, up 0.9% from $114.9 million during the same period in 2012. Same-store sales excluding fuel were down 2.2%.



“Sales in the first fiscal quarter were negatively impacted by extended winter weather conditions, which lasted through April throughout much of the Midwest,” said Alco Stores president/CEO Rich Wilson. “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.”