Midwestern discount chain Duckwall-Alco says a key December sales figure fell 2.3 percent

Duckwall-Alco’s key December sales figure falls

ABILENE, Kan. — Discount store operator Duckwall-Alco Stores Inc. said Thursday that December sales in its stores that have been open at least a year fell 2.3 percent from a year earlier as consumers held back on spending.

Its total sales fell for the five-week period that ended Jan. 3 also fell — 2 percent to $65.1 million, from $66.6 million a year ago.

Sales at stores open at least a year is a key measure of a retailer’s performance because it excludes stores that open or close during the year.

For the fiscal year to date, Duckwall-Alco’s sales in stores open at least a year fell 0.6 percent, while its total sales rose nearly 1 percent to $452.4 million.

The company said high unemployment in Duckwall’s key markets hurt its sales, though there are signs employment is stabilizing.

Duckwall-Alco, based in Abilene, Kan., operates 258 stores in 23 states.

Shares fell 62 cents, or 4.2 percent to $14.15 during midday trading. The stock has traded between $7.09 and $19.14 over the past year.