Duckwall-Alco August same-store sales fall

Excluding fuel, same-store sales fell 11.7 percent.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Total sales for the four weeks ended Aug. 31 were flat at $35.7 million.

Year-to-date, same-store sales fell 5.9 percent, or 6.2 percent excluding fuel sales. Total sales rose 4 percent to $271.2 million.

"While we are obviously disappointed in our same-store sales performance, we expect the strengthened merchandising and operational programs already being implemented will improve results near-term," said Larry Zigerelli, president and chief executive, in a statement.