Gaines are supported by rising outdoor apparel and sportswear sales.
Bon-ton shares rose today after the company reported rising sales.
The York, Pa.,-based department store, which operates local sites at Palmer Park, Phillipsburg, Westgate and South malls, said comparable store-sales in the four weeks ended Oct. 27 rose 3.7 percent from the year-ago period.
Total sales also increased 3.7 percent over that time to $199.1 million. Comparable sales involved stores open one year or more, whereas total sales include new openings or closings, which can alter results.
For the third fiscal quarter, comparable and total sales both increased 1.9 percent. Year-to-date comparable store sales increased 0.3 percent. Total sales have risen 0.2 percent to $1.9 billion year to date.
“Ladies’ and men’s outerwear, dresses and shoes posted strong double-digit gains,” CEO Brendan Hoffman said in a statement. “Men's sportswear and furnishings, cosmetics, accessories and ladies’ and special sizes sportswear outperformed the company average. Home, furniture and intimate apparel were the weakest performing categories.
"Ecommerce continued to post double-digit gains,” Hoffman said. “Our inventories are well managed, allowing us to take action on purchasing opportunities as they become available.”
Bon-Ton shares rose 69 cents, or 5.6 percent, to $12.95 in Nasdaq trading this afternoon amid broader market gains.