The Bon-Ton Stores sales for September decreased 6.5% to $307.9 million compared to $329.4 million for the prior year period. Bon-Ton and Carson’s combined comparable store sales for the five weeks decreased 7.1%. Carson’s comparable store sales decreased 6.3% and Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 8.6% compared to the prior year period.

Year-to-date total sales increased 6.4% to $1,982.3 million compared to $1,863.0 million for the same period last year. For informational purposes only, year-to-date Carson’s comparable store sales decreased 1.0%. Year-to-date Bon-Ton comparable store sales decreased 7.9%.

Tony Buccina, Vice Chairman and President – Merchandising, commented, “September sales were negatively impacted by the unseasonably warm weather and a cautious consumer. Cosmetics, hard home and soft home were the best performing categories. All areas of apparel – women’s, men’s, children’s, as well as cold weather accessories, coats and boots – posted disappointing results. We believe that we have the right combination of fresher and more robust inventories as compared to last year and strong planned promotions to entice our customer during the upcoming holiday season.”

Mr. Buccina continued, “We look forward to the opening on October 18 of our new Parisian Partridge Creek store giving us a three-store position in the Detroit market.”