Bon-Ton Sales Increase for August

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. has announced comparable store sales increase 2.2 percent in the four weeks ending Aug. 25.

Total sales increased 2.1 percent to $180.8 million in the current year compared with $177.1 million in the prior year period, according to a news statement released by the York, Pa.-based company.

has a store at South Mall in Salisbury and the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township.

• Year-to-date comparable store sales decreased 0.3 percent.

• Year-to-date total sales decreased 0.4 percent to $1,416.4 million compared with $1,422.5 million in the same period last year.

“We were pleased with our August sales increase and attribute the sequential improvement to our continued efforts to refine our merchandise assortment and to deliver clear, compelling marketing messages," Brendan Hoffman, president and chief executive officer, said in a news statement.

Hoffman said customers responded to new transitional merchandise in ladies and special-size sportswear, both moderate and better; shoes; children’s and home. Fine jewelry also had strong sales gains.

"In addition, our eCommerce business continued to post double-digit sales gains," he said.

"Our well-managed inventory enabled us to effectively respond to sales trends in season and we believe we can build upon this momentum as we continue to implement our merchandising and marketing strategies.”

The Bon-Ton's excess borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility was approximately $403 million at the end of August, according to Keith Plowman, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pa. and Milwaukee, Wis., operates 272 department stores in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and Upper Great Plains as The Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Younker and Parisian stores.