Bon-Ton October Key Sales Figure Rises 3.1 Percent

YORK, Pa. (AP) — Bon-Ton Stores Inc. said Thursday that sales at stores open at least a year climbed 3.1 percent in October as cooler weather prompted people to shop more.

The department store chain said lower temperatures led customers into its stores to purchase cold weather outerwear, accessories and boots. Sales of moderate missy, petites and large-size sportswear as well as coats, soft home and children's categories were also solid.

Total sales for the four weeks ended Oct. 31 rose 2.5 percent to $224 million.

Bon-Ton reported a 20 percent drop in clearance inventories.

Third-quarter sales at stores open at least a year fell 2.6 percent, with total sales down 2.9 percent to $703.9 million.

Sales at stores open at least a year are a key indicator of retailer performance since they measure growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

For the year to date, sales at stores open at least a year dropped 6.9 percent, with total sales declining 6.7 percent to $1.96 billion.

Bon-Ton runs 279 stores, including 12 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 names. It also has stores in the Detroit area under the Parisian name.