YORK, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:BONT) today announced that its comparable store sales for the nine-week holiday period ended December 31, 2016 decreased 3.1%, in line with guidance provided on November 17, 2016.  Total sales for the nine week November and December period were $752.1 million compared to sales of $784.4 million in the prior year period.  

Kathryn Bufano, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Following challenging sales trends in the first three weeks of November, business improved from Thanksgiving through the end of December.  During the holiday season, we continued to deliver double digit growth in our omnichannel business, including mobile demand.  Our best performing categories during the holiday season were men’s big and tall, furniture, women’s outerwear, and intimate apparel.” 

Ms. Bufano added, “We are pleased to see the traction we are gaining on our merchandising initiatives despite weak mall traffic trends.  Our focus remains on executing against our strategic initiatives, while prudently managing inventory levels and expenses.  Based on these sales trends and our expectations for the remainder of the quarter, we are maintaining our full-year guidance provided on November 17, 2016; however, we expect to be at the low end of the range.”

The company will provide additional details on March 14, 2017 when it reports its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2016 periods ending January 28, 2017.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 266 stores, which includes nine furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 26 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.  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.