YORK, Pa. (AP) — The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. said Thursday that its November revenue at stores open at least a year dropped 4.9 percent due to unseasonably warm weather. It said the decline for the month occurred despite strong sales on Black Friday.
This figure is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.
Bon-Ton, which runs department stores and furniture galleries, said Thursday that warm temperatures last month hurt sales of its cold weather merchandise.
The company said that cold weather merchandise accounted for 67 percent of its overall sales decrease in November.
The company also said sales were weaker in its ladies and men's apparel and accessories departments.
Tony Buccina, vice chairman and president for merchandising, said in a statement that sales volume on Black Friday was the highest in the company's history.
He also said that sales in its shoes, home, and juniors categories were stronger.
Total revenue for the four weeks ended Nov. 26 also fell 4.9 percent to $303.6 million.
For the year to date, revenue at stores open at least a year fell 3.3 percent, with total revenue down 3.7 percent to $2.21 billion.
Bon-Ton, which has corporate headquarters in York, Pa., and Milwaukee, has 276 department stores including 11 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 brands, and in the Detroit area, under the Parisian brand.
