May Company November Comps Decline 1.7%

The May Department Stores Company reported preliminary net sales of $1.26 billion for the four-week period ended Nov. 29, 2003, a 0.2% increase from the similar period last year. Store-for-store sales decreased 1.7%. November store-for-store sales decreased 1.2%, excluding the remaining 30 stores that May previously announced it will divest.

Net sales for the first 10 months of fiscal 2003 were $10.11 billion, a
2.6% decrease compared with $10.38 billion during the first 10 months of
fiscal 2002.

    Net sales were as follows:

                           Fiscal   Fiscal  Percent   Store-for-Store Decrease
    (dollars in millions)   2003     2002  Inc./(Dec.)    Actual    Adjusted*

     November            $1,260.8  $1,258.6    0.2%        (1.7)%     (1.2)%

     Year-to-date        10,109.8  10,375.9   (2.6)        (4.4)      (4.2)

* Excludes the remaining 30 stores that May previously announced it will
divest.

Net sales include merchandise sales and lease department income.
Store-for-store sales compare sales of stores open during both years beginning
the first day a new store has prior-year sales and exclude sales of stores
closed during both years.