The Bon-Ton Stores announces April sales -Comparable Store Sales Increase 12.5%-

Business Wire, May 4, 1995

YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 1995--The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:BONT) announced today that sales for the four weeks ended April 29, 1995 totaled $44.4 million, an increase of 87.3% from last April's sales of $23.7 million. Comparable store sales increased 12.5%.

Year-to-date sales increased 78.5% to $126.1 million from $70.7 million for the same period last year. Comparable store sales increased 5.2% for the year-to-date period.

Michael L. Gleim, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, said, "We are very pleased with our April comparable store performance in light of the general weakness in the retail environment. This month's strong results reflect the later Easter holiday season. We saw solid sales increases this month in cosmetics, childrens, mens, home, intimate and dresses, with weaker performance in the female sportswear segment."

The Bon-Ton operates 67 department stores in secondary markets primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey. The stores carry broad assortments of brand-name fashions and accessories for women, men and children, as well as home furnishings.

CONTACT: The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.

Michael L. Gleim

Sr. Executive Vice President

717/751-3142

or

Morgen-Walke Associates

Naomi Rosenfeld/Eileen Howard

Media Contact: Stacy Berns

212/850-5600