Elder-Beerman June Comps Increase 1.3%

Comparable store sales for The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. increased 1.3% for the five weeks ended July 5, 2003 compared to the five weeks ended July 6, 2002. Total store sales decreased by 1.7% to $53.7 million versus the same period last year.

The best performing businesses in June were ladies moderate and special size sportswear, cosmetics, men’s furnishings and the entire home store.

For the year to date, comparable store sales decreased by 4.0 percent for the 22 week period ended July 5, 2003. Total store sales decreased 4.7 percent to $227.3 million versus the same period last year.

------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
(dollars in millions)                       JUNE SALES(a)
------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
                                                   Total    Comparable
                                                   Sales      Sales
         (unaudited)              2003     2002   Change(b)  Change(b)
------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------

The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.   $53.7    $54.6    (1.7%)      1.3%
------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------

------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
(dollars in millions)                   YEAR TO DATE SALES(a)
------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
                                                   Total    Comparable
                                                   Sales      Sales
         (unaudited)             2003    2002     Change(b) Change(b)
------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------

The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.  $227.3   $238.5    (4.7%)     (4.0%)
------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------

(a) All sales figures exclude leased department sales.
(b) Percentages may not correspond to the actual sales figures due to
    rounding of sales figures.