Bon-Ton Stores Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended April 29, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of $536,141,000 against $591,007,000 a year ago. Loss from operations was $38,786,000 against $22,876,000 a year ago. Loss before income taxes was $57,363,000 against $37,962,000 a year ago. Net loss was $57,315,000 or $2.86 basic and diluted per share against $37,818,000 or $1.91 basic and diluted per share a year ago. Net cash used in operating activities was $30,995,000 against net cash provided by operating activities of $12,278,000 a year ago. Capital expenditures were $9,781,000 against $12,626,000 a year ago. Adjusted LBITDA was $15,625,000 against adjusted EBITDA of $1,325,000 a year ago. Comparable store sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 decreased 8.8%.

For the year 2017, the company expects net loss in the range of $52,600,000 to $42,200,000, income tax benefit of $300,000, adjusted EBITDA in the range of $115,000,000 to $125,000,000. The company continues to expect loss per share to be in a range of $2.08 to $2.59, inclusive of a $0.05 expense from the 53rd week. The company expects comparable sales decrease now ranging from 3.0% to 4.0%, which excludes sales from the 53rd week; gross margin rate of flat to up 10 basis points over the fiscal 2016 rate of 35.5%; SG&A dollars now ranging from $855 million to $857 million, including approximately $10 million for the 53rd week, compared to SG&A of $880.6 in fiscal 2016; the improvement compared to the company's prior guidance is primarily due to lower expenses related to advertising, payroll, and occupancy. Capital expenditures not to exceed $30 million, net of external contributions.