May Company Comps Decline 2.9% in May

The May Department Stores Company reported preliminary net sales of $1.12 billion for the four-week period ended May 28, 2005, a 14.5% increase from $978 million in the similar period last year. Store-for-store sales decreased 2.9%. Net sales for the first four months of fiscal 2005 were $4.49 billion, a 13.9% increase compared with $3.94 billion during the first four months of fiscal 2004.

    Net sales were as follows:

                     Fiscal       Fiscal       Percent     Store-for-Store
    (dollars            2005        2004        Increase        Decrease
     in millions)

    Month of May    $ 1,119.3   $   977.8        14.5%         (2.9)%
    Year-to-date      4,488.6     3,940.7        13.9          (4.5)

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 the month of May, May's Bridal Group opened two After Hours Formalwear stores in Florida and Missouri.