The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. reported comparable store sales for the four weeks ended Feb. 26, 2011 decreased 0.5%. Total sales decreased 1.1% to $197.7 million for the four weeks compared with $199.9 million for the prior year period.


“We are pleased with customer response to our spring merchandise, despite February sales being hampered by snow storms in our markets throughout the month,” said Tony Buccina, vice chairman and president – merchandising. “Businesses that performed well were fine jewelry, hard and soft home, furniture, shoes, ladies’ better sportswear and men’s sportswear. We’re also seeing sales increases from our expanded assortments in watches, luggage and our Incredible Value Program items. Our poorest performing businesses were ladies’ moderate sportswear and children’s. We are very pleased with the quality of our inventory, which is well positioned to drive spring sales as the weather becomes more seasonal.”


The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 275 department stores, which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 23 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. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.