Businessweek

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates department stores in the United States. The company offers an assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men, and children, as well as cosmetics, home furnishings, and other goods. The company operates 272 stores in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest, and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates, encompassing a total of approximately 25 million square feet. Merchandise Nationally Distributed Brands: The company’s nationally distributed brand assortment includes various labels in the apparel, accessories, footwear, cosmetics, and home furnishings industries, such as Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, Carters, Clarks, Clinique, Coach, Estee Lauder, Fossil, Frye, Jessica Simpson, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole, LancÔme, Lauren, Michael Kors, Nine West, Polo, Steve Madden, and Vince Camuto. Private Brands: The company’s private brands complement its offerings of nationally distributed brands. Its private brand portfolio includes brands, such as Laura Ashley, Ruff Hewn, Relativity, Studio Works, Breckenridge, Living Quarters, Paradise Collections, Kenneth Roberts, Cuddle Bear, John Bartlett, and Mambo. Seasonality The company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, with the major portion of sales and income realized during the second half of each year (year ending on February 2, 2013), which includes the holiday season. Competition The company faces competition for customers from traditional department store operators, such as Boscov's Department Store LLC, Dillard's, Inc., Macy's, Inc., and Von Maur Inc.; national chain retailers, such as J. C. Penney Company, Inc., Kohl's Corporation, and Sears Holdings Corporation; and mass merchandisers, such as Target Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. History The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. was founded in 1898.