Retail Sales

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 6.3 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in October 2009, a 1.9 percent increase from the 6.2 billion RPMs flown in October 2008. Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 9.4 percent to 8.0 billion from the October 2008 level of 8.8 billion. The load factor for the month was 79.2 percent, compared to 70.4 percent for the same period last year. For October 2009, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the one percent range as compared to October 2008.

For the ten months ended October 31, 2009, Southwest flew 62.6 billion RPMs, compared to 62.4 billion RPMs for the same period in 2008, an increase of 0.3 percent. Available seat miles decreased 4.8 percent to 82.5 billion from the 2008 level of 86.6 billion. The year-to-date load factor was 75.9 percent, compared to 72.1 percent for the same period last year.

Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today reported that its total sales for the four week October period ended October 31, 2009 increased 2.9% to $101 million from $99 million in the prior year four week period ended November 1, 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 0.1% this year versus a decrease of 8.4% last year.

Dresses, footwear, intimates, juniors and men’s achieved comparable store sales increases during October. Misses sportswear performed at the Company average. The Southwest, South Central and Southeast regions achieved comparable store sales increases for the month.

For the third quarter ended October 31, 2009, the Company reported that total sales decreased 2.6% to $325 million from $334 million last year. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 5.4% versus a decrease of 10.3% in the prior year period.

Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUCK) reports total sales for the month of October were 35$ million, down 0.9% from the same period last year. Same store sales fell 0.9%.

Larry Zigerelli, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "October same-store sales reflect continued progress over the past several months. Halloween same-store sales were strong, up 2.5% over a year ago, with clean inventory coming out of the season. This is encouraging, combined with continued gross margin results ahead of plan, as we enter the critical holiday selling period. All elements of our strengthened merchandising and marketing program are in place to take full advantage of the season. Our strategic transformation plan that began last fall remains on or ahead of schedule. We anticipate continued near-term progress."

The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) October same-store sales were flat.

Sales for the third quarter ended October 31, 2009 were $191.0 million, a 6% increase over sales of $179.8 million for the third quarter ended November 1, 2008. Same-store sales for the third quarter increased 4% over the prior year.

Cato now expect earnings per diluted share will be in the range of $.07 to $.09 compared to previous guidance of $.03 to $.05 and $.03 last year.

Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) October Comps rose 14% to $557 million.

For the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009, sales were $1.744 billion. Comparable store sales for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 were up 8% on top of flat same store sales in the prior year period.

For the quarter Ross Stores sees EPS in the range of $.83 to $.84, up from our prior guidance of $.75 to $.77 and compared to $.44 in the third quarter of 2008. The consensus is $.76.