Bon-Ton quarterly loss narrows

YORK, Pa. The Bon-Ton Stores today reported a net loss of $15 million, or 91 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter ended Aug. 4 compared to a net loss of $19.8 million, or $1.20 per diluted share. The company reported a net loss of $44.3 million, or $2.68 per share, for the 26 weeks ended Aug. 4, compared to a net loss of $30.6 million, or $1.87 per share, for the comparable period last year.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2007, total sales decreased 5.1% to $708.6 million compared to $746.8 million for the prior year period. Bon-Ton and Carson's combined comparable-stores sales decreased 5%.

Year-to-date total sales increased 10.5% to $1.45 billion compared to $1.3 billion for the same period last year.  Year-to-date Carson's comparable-store sales decreased 0.2% compared to the prior year period. Year-to-date Bon-Ton comparable-store sales decreased 9%.