The Bon-Ton sees increased sales in holiday period when compared to 2011, the company announces

Sales at stores open at least a year were up 2.4 percent for the five-week period that ended Dec. 29.

The Bon-Ton, which has stores in malls in Phillipsburg, Palmer Township, Bethlehem and Allentown, had a strong holiday season when compared to 2011, the York, Pa.-based retailer said this morning in a news release.

Sales at stores open at least a year were up 2.4 percent in the five-week period that ended Dec. 29, the company said. Total sales in that period were up 1.5 percent to $512.9 million, the company said.

For the year, sales were up 0.6 percent at stores open at least a year and up 0.3 percent overall -- $2.718 billion compared to $2.710 billion -- from the same period a year ago, the company said.

“We are pleased to report a 2.4 percent same store sales increase in December, despite several days of challenging weather which adversely impacted our post-Christmas sales event," President and Chief Executive Officer Brendan Hoffman said in the release. "Our eCommerce business once again posted double-digit sales gains. Fine jewelry, ladies’ sportswear and dresses across all sizes, along with ladies’ outerwear and shoes were our best performers. We ended December with less clearance inventory, which should position us well as we transition into the spring season."