May Company April Comp Sales Rise 1.5%

The May Department Stores Company reported preliminary net sales of $1.08 billion for the four-week period ended April 30, 2005, a 20.0% increase from $902 million in the similar period last year. Store-for-store sales increased 1.5%.

Sales comparisons in April 2005 benefited from the movement of a major sales promotion event from the last week of fiscal March 2004 to the first week of fiscal April 2005.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 were $3.37 billion, a 13.7% increase compared with $2.96 billion during the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

Net sales were as follows:

                            Fiscal     Fiscal    Percent   Store-for-Store
  (dollars in millions)      2005       2004     Increase     Inc./(Dec.)


  April                   $1,082.0     $901.5      20.0%        1.5%
  First Quarter            3,369.3    2,962.9      13.7         (5.1)

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. During April, May's Bridal Group opened one David's Bridal store in Iowa, and two After Hours Formalwear stores in Minnesota and Florida.