Two Wisconsin-based department store chains sold more merchandise in August than what analysts had expected. New reports released this past week show that Kohl’s Department Stores had a sales gain of three-point-four percent from a year ago in stores open at least a year. The increase is much larger than the one-point-nine percent gain projected by outside analysts. Bon-Ton Stores – which operate Boston Store and Younkers among others – had sales hike of two-point-two-percent between this August and last. Retail Metrics had projected a hike of only one-point-three percent. Kohl’s is based in Menomonee Falls and has a store in Beaver Dam. Its C-E-O, Kevin Mansell, said all regions and general product lines reported sales hikes. Men’s and children’s clothes did the best, as did footwear. Bon-Ton C-E-O Brendan Hoffman credited its August sales jump to the refining of its merchandise mix – and better, more compelling marketing. Bon-Ton is based in both Milwaukee and York Pennsylvania and also has a store in Beaver Dam.
