YORK, Pa. (AP) — The Bon-Ton Stores Inc., which operates department stores, said Thursday that a key sales figure rose in December even though a storm disrupted a post-Christmas sales event.

Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 2.4 percent during the five weeks ended Dec. 29. Revenue in stores open at least a year is considered an important measurement of retailer health because they exclude results from stores that have opened or closed within the last year.

Total revenue rose 1.5 percent to $512.9 million from $505.2 million in the prior-year period.

Year-to-date, revenue in stores open at least one year rose 0.6 percent and total revenue rose 0.3 percent to $2.72 billion from $2.71 billion.

Jewelry, women's sportswear, dresses, women's coats and shoes were the best sellers, the company said.

Bon-Ton operates 273 department stores in 24 states.

Its shares closed at $12.03 on Wednesday and have traded between $2.23 and $14.99 in the last year.