Bon-Ton key revenue metric falls 3.6 pct. in Sept.

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.'s September revenue at stores open at least a year dropped 3.6 percent, with weak performances from its furniture, traditional ladies' sportswear and intimate apparel categories. 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 its results were also hurt by increased prices on some of its ladies' and men's clothing. The higher prices were prompted by cost increases, Tony Buccina, vice chairman and president for merchandising, said in a statement. Many clothing companies