The Bon-Ton Stores' total sales for the four weeks ended August 28, 2004 increased 79.6% to $86.2 million, including $40.4 million from the acquired Elder-Beerman stores, compared to $48.0 million for the same period last year. Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 4.6%.
Year-to-date total sales increased 85.7% to $635.4 million, including $296.2 million from the acquired Elder-Beerman stores, compared to $342.2 million for the same period last year. Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 1.7%.
Elder-Beerman sales are not included in the Company's reported comparable store sales and the following comparable store sales are provided for informational purposes only. Elder-Beerman comparable store sales for the four weeks ended August 28, 2004 decreased 3.0% and year-to-date comparable store sales decreased 2.7%. For Elder-Beerman and Bon-Ton combined, comparable store sales for the four weeks ended August 28, 2004 decreased 3.9% and year-to-date comparable store sales decreased 2.2%.
James H. Baireuther, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer, commented, “While we anticipated difficult comparisons to the prior year given the Labor Day shift from August last year to September this year, we were nonetheless disappointed with August sales. Our performance was negatively impacted by sporadic receipt flow in certain merchandise categories. We expect our fall receipts to be back on schedule and a full complement of fall merchandise in our stores for September. Home, shoes, misses sportswear and cosmetics had sales increases for the month.”
