The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. total sales for the month of March, 2006 increased 143% to $243.8 million compared to $100.5 million for the same period last year. Fiscal 2006 sales include $149.6 million from the acquired Northern Department Store Group effective on March 5, 2006. Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 4.6%.
Year-to-date total sales increased 80% to $316.0 million compared to $175.3 million for the same period last year. Fiscal 2006 includes Carson's stores sales of $149.6 million for the period of March 5, 2006 through April 1, 2006. Year-to-date Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 3.3%.
Carson's sales are not included in the Company's reported comparable store sales. For informational purposes only, Carson's comparable store sales decreased 0.1% for the four weeks from March 5, 2006 through April 1, 2006.
James H. Baireuther, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer, commented, “March sales were negatively impacted by poor sales in the Home merchandise category and the shift of Easter to April. The Easter shift negatively impacted such categories of business as Dresses, Children's apparel, Accessories, and Men's Furnishings. We expect these categories will rebound in April. Also, total sales were negatively impacted by $1.7 million, reflecting the closing of four unprofitable Bon-Ton stores at the end of fiscal 2005. The Shoes and Cosmetic areas were the best performing businesses in March. Sales of spring/summer merchandise in our apparel areas improved in the last week of the month due to the warmer seasonal weather, and our inventories are well-positioned moving into April.”
