Troubled department store chain operator The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. will close at least 40 under-performing locations as the retailer attempts to turnaround its dismal financial performance.

Bon-Ton disclosed that it would slash its footprint by dozens of stores in its third quarter financial results released early Thursday. The firm — which splits its headquarters between Milwaukee, Wisc. and York, Pa. — said the closures would take place through 2018, but did not immediately disclose which stores would be affected, writes Melanie Lawder for Philadelphia Business Journal.

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The company operates three stores in the Lehigh Valley and several across the state.

The company operates 260 department stores in the Northeast, Midwest and Upper Great Plains. Along with the Bon-Ton branded stores, the company also operates locations under Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates. In Pennsylvania, Bon-Ton has at least 30 stores, the story continues.

In a news release, Bon-Ton CEO and president William Tracy said the company is executing its profit improvement initiatives with a “sense of urgency.” Previously, Bon-Ton had been closing locations at a rate of around six to eight per year.

Bon-Ton also reported a widening net loss of $44.9 million for the third quarter ended Oct. 28, compared with a net loss of  $31.6 million in the same period last year. For the quarter, total sales fell 7.6 percent to $545.3 million, with same-store sales also dropping 6.6. percent.

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