The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. reported comparable store sales in the four weeks ended Jan. 26
decreased 0.4 percent compared with the four-week period last year. Total
sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 2 increased 15.2 percent to
$200.8 million, compared with $174.4 million in the four-week period
last year.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, comparable stores sales in the
thirteen weeks ended Jan. 26 increased 1.0 percent, compared with the
thirteen-week period last year. Total sales in the fourteen weeks ended
February 2, 2013 increased 3.2 percent to $1,015.1 million, compared with
$983.2 million in the thirteen-week period last year.
Fiscal 2012 comparable store sales in the fifty-two weeks ended January
26, 2013 increased 0.5 percent, compared with the fifty-two week period last
year. Fiscal 2012 total sales for the fifty-three weeks ended February
2, 2013 increased 1.2 percent to $2,919.4 million, compared with $2,884.7
million in the fifty-two week period last year.
Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO, commented that the company strategically managed its inventory throughout January and the fourth quarter to drive more profitable sales and reduce the level of
clearance inventory, and that the approach should benefit the company’s fourth quarter
gross margin. We will continue with this strategy as we enter the new
fiscal year, Hoffman added.
We are tightening our full-year fiscal 2012 guidance to reflect
Adjusted EBITDA in a range of $160 million to $175 million
and loss per share in a range of $(1.35) to $(0.60), stated
Keith Plowman, EVP and CFO. Our excess borrowing capacity under our
revolving credit facility was approximately $518 million at the end of
fiscal 2012.
The company will discontinue monthly sales reporting effective in
February of fiscal 2013. This will align the Ccompany’s sales reporting
with most of its public company competitors and other specialty apparel
retailers.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, PA and Milwaukee, WI, operates 271 department stores,
which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 24 states in the Northeast,
Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergners, Boston
Store, Carsons, Elder-Beerman, Herbergers and Younkers nameplates.