DUCK Alco Stores, Inc. (MM)

Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:DUCK) today announced that sales from continuing operations increased 4.0% to $36.2 million for the fiscal four-week period ended April 29, 2012, compared to $34.8 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 2.5% from a year earlier.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, sales from continuing operations increased 3.6% to $117.2 million compared to $113.2 million during the same period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales for the first quarter increased 1.7% versus a year earlier.

Rich Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Overall, our sales performance during the first quarter was consistent with our expectations. Customers continued to respond well to our improved product offerings and value proposition. Sales were positive in all lines of our Commodities division as well as our Furniture, Plastic Storage, Décor, Giftware, and Hardware departments. Warmer temperatures during the first quarter also helped to drive an early Spring season and contributed to strong increases in several of our seasonal departments such as Outdoor Living, Horticulture, and Sporting Goods."

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Friday, June 8, 2012, to discuss operating results for the first quarter of fiscal year ended April 29, 2012. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-254-2831 (international/local participants dial 913-312-0981), and the Conference Code is 1442841. 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 8, 2012 through June 13, 2012, by dialing 888-203-1112 (international/local participants dial 719-457-0820), and the Replay Code is 1442841. 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 Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc.

Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. is a broad-line retailer, primarily located in small underserved communities across 23 states. The Company has 214 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 Duckwall-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.

CONTACT:  Wayne S. Peterson
          Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
          785-263-3350 X164
          email: wpeterson@ALCOstores.com

          or

          Debbie Hagen
          Hagen and Partners
          913-642-6363
          email: dhagen@hagenandpartners.com