DUCK Alco Stores, Inc. (MM)

RadioShack Brand and Products Initially to Be Added to Nine ALCO Stores ABILENE, Kan., and FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUCK) and RadioShack Corporation (NYSE:RSH) today announced a co-branding retail franchise agreement to promote RadioShack's brand and products in nine additional ALCO stores in the central United States this year. The agreement will enable those ALCO stores to expand their assortment to include RadioShack's well-recognized brand and product lines while enabling RadioShack to further grow its franchise retail presence in the area. "By co-branding with RadioShack, we are enticing customers to visit more frequently by having two brands they know and respect under one roof," said Bruce Dale, president and chief executive officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores. "Our test program with RadioShack in our Abilene, Kan., store has been a huge success, and we saw electronics sales exceed expectations during the four- month test period." "We're extremely pleased to have this co-branding opportunity to join with such a respected retailer as Duckwall-ALCO," said Paul Rickels, RadioShack's vice president-dealer franchise. "This enables us to offer our broad line of consumer electronics to customers who otherwise might not have access to the latest products and technologies. Convenient store locations in neighborhoods across the country are a part of our heritage, and Duckwall-ALCO enables us to cost-effectively build on that tradition." The initial co-branding rollout at ALCO stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and North Dakota is expected to be complete by the end of October, with more co-branded RadioShack locations to be opened in other yet- to-be-named ALCO stores by year-end. Dale said if results follow those of the Abilene test store, he expects the co-branding agreement to expand to additional ALCO stores over the next year. About Duckwall-ALCO Stores Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. is a regional retailer that specializes in offering an exceptional product selection at reasonable prices to smaller communities throughout the central United States. Our specialty is delivering those products with the friendly, personal service found in the stores of yesteryear, but with the modern convenience our customers have come to expect. With 254 stores across 21 states, we are proud to have continually provided high quality products at good value prices to our customers for 105 years. About RadioShack Corporation Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack Corporation is one of the nation's most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailers and a growing provider of retail support services. The company operates a vast network of sales channels, including: more than 6,000 company and dealer stores; more than 100 RadioShack locations in Mexico and Canada; and nearly 800 wireless kiosks. RadioShack's knowledgeable and helpful sales associates deliver convenient product and service solutions within minutes of where all Americans either live or work. For more information on RadioShack Corporation, visit http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/ . To learn more about RadioShack products and services or to purchase items online, visit http://www.radioshack.com/ . Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Any forward-looking statements are made by the Company in good faith, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and projections regarding economic conditions, retail industry environments and Company performance. 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 quarterly 10-Q filings and other public documents, copies of which are available from the Company on request. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000518/DATH047LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: RadioShack Corporation; Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. CONTACT: Michael S. Marcus, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc., +1-785-263-3350 ext. 164, or ; or Debbie Hagen of Hagen and Partners, +1-913-652-6547, for Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc.; or Charles Hodges of RadioShack Corporation, +1-817-415-3300, or Web site: http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/ http://www.radioshack.com/ http://www.alcostores.com/

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