Comparable store sales for The Elder-Beerman Stores increased 2.9 percent for the five weeks ended October 4, 2003, compared to the five weeks ended October 5, 2002. Total store sales increased by 2.5 percent to $59.7 million versus the same period last year. The best performing businesses in September were children's clothing, ladies' better, moderate and special size sportswear, ladies coats and domestics.

For the year to date, comparable store sales decreased by 3.1 percent for the 35 week period ended October 4, 2003. Total store sales decreased 3.8 percent to $364.7 million versus the same period last year. 



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

The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.  $59.7   $58.2     2.5%        2.9%
------------------------------ ------- ------- ---------- -----------

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

The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.  $364.7   $378.9    (3.8%)     (3.1%)
------------------------------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------

(a) All sales figures exclude leased department sales.

(b) Percentages may not correspond to the actual sales figures due to
rounding of sales figures.