ABILENE, Kan. — Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. will permanently close 43 of its 44 Duckwall stores and rebanner one to refocus investment on its 214 ALCO stores.

Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. will permanently close 43 of its 44 Duckwall stores and rebanner one to refocus investment on its 214 ALCO stores.

The company will also change its corporate name to ALCO Stores Inc., probably in fiscal 2012, to reflect the new strategic focus.

"After careful analysis, we have concluded that the small, limited-selection Duckwall stores no longer meet the needs of most shoppers," says Rich Wilson, president and chief executive officer. "Making this change will enable the company to focus on maximizing the performance of our ALCO stores."

Wilson pointed out that the Duckwall stores, which average 6,755 square feet, consume a disproportionate amount of resources. During the past eight months the company has upgraded all of its ALCO stores, which measure 25,446 square feet on average, with wider aisles, better lighting, expanded food assortments and upgraded merchandise.