FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


           ROBERT RING JOINS DUCKWALL-ALCO STORES' BOARD OF DIRECTORS


     Abilene, Kan. (April 5, 2005) - Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUCK)
has announced the election of Robert Ring to its Board of Directors.

      Mr. Ring spent 32 years with The Coleman Company of Wichita, Kan., where
he held a progression of sales and marketing assignments before being named
President/General Manager of Coleman's Recreation Business. Subsequent to the
acquisition of Coleman by McAndrew's and Forbes in 1989 he served as Executive
Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for the Company and was named
President and COO in 1990. He resigned from Coleman in that position in 1994.

      Currently Mr. Ring is a consultant in the areas of business improvement
and strategic development. He works with a wide variety of companies in various
industries, including respected market leaders Bass Pro Shops and Cobalt Boats.
In addition, Mr. Ring serves on a number of community boards including the Via
Christi Research Foundation, the Kansas Wildscape Foundation and the Wichita
State University Students in Free Enterprise Business Advisory Board. Mr. Ring
is a graduate of Wichita State University.

      "Duckwall-ALCO Stores will benefit greatly from Bob Ring's organizational
development skills and management experience," said Warren Gfeller, Chairman of
Duckwall-ALCO Stores' Board of Directors. "He will be a tremendous resource for
the company as we develop and execute our performance improvement initiatives."

      Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. is a leading regional retailer that specializes
in offering a wide variety of products at reasonable prices to the underserved
communities of America. Founded in 1901 by A.L. Duckwall as a general
merchandising operation in Abilene, Kan., Duckwall-ALCO is known for its
convenient locations and for its friendly, personal service. The company has 266
stores in 21 states across the central United States, operating under two names,
ALCO and Duckwall. ALCO discount stores offer a full line of merchandise, while
Duckwall variety stores serve smaller communities, offering a smaller selection.

      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.

                         For more information, contact:
                                 Dick Mansfield
          Vice President/Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
                              785-263-3350 ext. 286
                         email: dmansfield@duckwall.com
                                       or
                                  Debbie Hagen
                               Hagen and Partners
                                  913-652-6547
                       email: dhagen@hagenandpartners.com