Bon-Ton Organic Sales Jump 10% in July

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. reported total sales for July increased 187% to $210.3 million compared to $73.2 million for the same period last year. July sales include $129.6 million from the Carson’s stores. Bon-Ton comparable store sales increased 12.2%.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2006, total sales increased 172% to $746.8 million compared to $274.3 million for the same period last year. Second quarter fiscal 2006 sales include $464.7 million from the Carson’s stores. Bon-Ton comparable stores sales increased 4.6%.

Year-to-date total sales increased 144% to $1,308.6 million compared to $536.9 million for the same period last year. Year-to-date sales include $775.9 million from the Carson’s stores for the period March 5, 2006 through July 29, 2006. Year-to-date Bon-Ton comparable store sales increased 1.0%.

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 July 29, 2006 increased 4.3%, for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2006 increased 2.7% and for the period March 5, 2006 through July 29, 2006 increased 2.1%. For Carson’s and Bon-Ton combined, comparable store sales for the four weeks ended July 29, 2006 increased 7.2% and for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2006 increased 3.4%.

Anthony J. Buccina, Vice Chairman and President – Merchandising, commented, “We are pleased with our July performance. We had healthy comparable store sales increases in the Carson’s stores in furniture resulting from a strong semi-annual sales promotion. Ladies apparel, intimate apparel, shoes, men’s and children’s had solid growth driven by spring/summer clearance merchandise making way for receipt of our fall inventories.”

Keith E. Plowman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer added, “Our liquidation strategy of non-go-forward merchandise remains on target, positioning the Bon-Ton stores for the new fall assortments in home, ready to wear, shoes and accessories. The home and furniture liquidation sales drove Bon-Ton’s July comparable store sales increase.”