Bon-Ton posts disappointing Dec. sales

YORK, Pa. The Bon-Ton Stores Thursday reported total sales of $558.2 million for the five weeks ended Jan. 5, a 13% decrease from sales of $642 million for the prior year period.

The company reported that combined comparable-store sales for its Bon-Ton and Carson's stores for the month of December dropped 11.3%.

The company attributed the December sales decrease to weakness in the juniors and soft home category, as well as disappointing sales in traditional gift categories such as jewelry, cosmetics and intimate apparel.

As a result of its December sales the company has revised its fiscal 2007 earnings per share guidance to be in the range of 50 cents to 80 cents.