The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. comparable store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 29, 2008 decreased 16.0% compared with the prior year period. Total sales for the four weeks decreased 15.5% to $332.3 million compared with $393.1 million for the prior year period.

Year-to-date comparable store sales decreased 7.7% compared with the prior year period. Year-to-date total sales decreased 7.2% to $2,430.8 million compared with $2,620.1 million for the same period last year.

“We delivered on our projected sales plan in November,” said Vice Chairman and President of Merchandising Tony Buccina. “Due to the calendar shift, comparable stores sales were down for the month as expected, with an additional week of holiday sales coming in December. Given the November sales results, we are on track to achieve the previously provided fourth quarter comparable store sales guidance. Our best performing categories were accessories, outerwear, shoes, children’s and cosmetics. Our weakest performing categories were furniture, juniors, petite sportswear and men's sportswear. Seasonal categories were strong performers across the board in women's, men's, children’s and home. We were pleased with our companywide execution and record breaking results for the after-Thanksgiving sales on Friday and Saturday, evidence that we are capturing market share of the consumer spend. Our continued discipline in inventory control led to an inventory reduction of 6.4% on a comparable store basis. We enter December with fresh assortments supported by an aggressive, value-driven marketing program.”

Keith Plowman, EVP and CFO, stated, “We ended November with excess borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility of $241 million, well above the $75 million covenant. We expect our excess borrowing capacity will continue to increase through the fourth quarter, similar to the prior year, reflecting the higher sales volume generated after Thanksgiving through the end of the holiday selling season.”