Bon-Ton Comps Up 3.7 Percent in October

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. announced comparable store sales in the four weeks ended Oct. 27 increased 3.7 percent. Total sales increased 3.7 percent to $199.1 million in the current year compared with $192.0 million in the prior-year period.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2012, comparable stores sales increased 1.9 percent. Total sales for the thirteen weeks ended Oct. 27 increased 1.9 percent to $668.7 million compared with $656.1 million for the prior year period.

Year-to-date comparable store sales increased 0.3 percent. Year-to-date total sales increased 0.2 percent to $1,904.4 million compared with $1,901.4 million in the same period last year.

“We are pleased with our October comparable store sales performance. Ladies’ and men’s outerwear, dresses and shoes posted strong double-digit gains,” said Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO of Bon-Ton. “Men’s sportswear and furnishings, cosmetics, accessories and ladies’ and special sizes sportswear outperformed the company average. Home, furniture and intimate apparel were the weakest performing categories. Ecommerce continued to post double-digit gains. Our inventories are well managed, allowing us to take action on purchasing opportunities as they become available.”

“Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of our Herberger’s Pocatello, Idaho store,” continued Hoffman. “Customers responded very favorably to our merchandise assortment and 'Customer First' shopping experience. We are excited about our expansion into a new state and believe the addition of Herberger’s in the Pine Ridge Mall will enhance the total shopping experience for consumers in this market.”

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, PA and Milwaukee, WI, operates 273 department stores, which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate.