The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. total sales for the five weeks ended February 3, 2007 increased 283%, to $240.6 million, compared to $62.8 million for the prior year period. January sales include $161.3 million from Carson's and Parisian stores acquired in 2006. Bon-Ton comparable store sales for the four weeks ended January 27, 2007 increased 6.4% compared to the four-week period last year.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, total sales increased 169% to $1,249.6 million compared to $464.6 million for the prior year period. Fourth quarter sales include $805.7 million from Carson's and Parisian stores. Bon-Ton comparable store sales for the thirteen weeks ended January 27, 2007 decreased 5.6% compared to the prior year thirteen-week period.
Fiscal 2006 total sales increased 161% to $3,362.3 million compared to $1,287.2 million for the prior year period. Fiscal 2006 sales include $2,119.1 million from Carson's stores for the period March 5, 2006 through February 3, 2007 and Parisian stores for the period October 29, 2006 through February 3, 2007. Bon-Ton comparable store sales for the fifty-two week period ended January 27, 2007 decreased 2.7% compared to the prior year fifty-two week period.
Carson's sales are not included in the Company's reported comparable store sales; therefore, the following is provided for informational purposes only. Carson's comparable store sales for the four weeks ended January 27, 2007 increased 0.2%, for the thirteen weeks ended January 27, 2007 increased 4.4% and for the period March 5, 2006 through January 27, 2007 increased 4.3%. For Carson's and Bon-Ton combined, comparable store sales for the four weeks ended January 27, 2007 increased 2.2% and for the thirteen weeks ended January 27, 2007 increased 0.5%.
Anthony J. Buccina, Vice Chairman and President – Merchandising, commented, “We were pleased with our overall results for January. Seasonably cold weather arrived and drove cold-weather businesses. The best performing categories for January on a combined company basis were Children's, Junior's, Men's Sportswear and Furnishings, Women's Large-Size Sportswear and Missy Better Sportswear. Carson's comparable store sales were negatively impacted by a shift in the timing of two promotional events, one in the home area and one in cosmetics. We look forward to the spring season with fresher inventories than prior year.”
