Bon-Ton Stores key sales figure edges up in February despite disruptive winter storms
By APThursday, March 4, 2010
Bon-Ton Stores key sales figure edges up in Feb.
YORK, Pa. — Department store operator Bon-Ton Stores Inc. said Thursday that sales at stores open at least a year edged up 0.5 percent in February, and would have risen more if sales weren’t disrupted by winter storms.
Sales at stores open at least a year are seen as a key sales metric because they measure growth from existing locations rather than newly opened ones.
Total sales for the four weeks ended Feb. 27 dipped to $199.9 million from $200.2 million.
Vice Chairman and President of Merchandising Tony Buccina said in a statement that the winter storms which affected multiple regions of the country were a “significant disruption” and cost the retailer several percentage points in sales.
The company finished the month with a 13 percent drop in its clearance inventory from the same time last year.
Bon-Ton runs 278 stores, including 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 brands. In the Detroit area it has stores under the Parisian name.
The company plans to release fourth-quarter and fiscal 2009 results next Wednesday.
