Payless ShoeSource, Inc. reported that for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, which ended November 1, 2003, the company posted a loss of $0.03 per diluted share, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.43 during the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2003, diluted earnings per share were $0.25, compared to $1.47 during the first nine months of fiscal
2002.

The company recorded a net loss of $2.2 million during the third quarter 2003 compared with net earnings of $29.6 million during the third quarter 2002. During the first nine months of 2003, net earnings were $17.1 million,
compared with $100.7 million during the first nine months of 2002.

Company sales for the third quarter 2003 totaled $709.8 million, a 0.5
percent decrease from $713.0 million during the third quarter 2002. Same-
store sales decreased 1.4 percent during the third quarter 2003.

During the first nine months of 2003, company sales totaled $2.14 billion,
a 4.0 percent decrease from $2.23 billion during the first nine months of
2002. Same-store sales decreased 4.7 percent during the first nine months of
2003.

Gross margin was 26.7 percent of sales in the third quarter 2003 versus
32.2 percent in the third quarter 2002. The decline reflects the aggressive
markdown of merchandise during the third quarter 2003. In addition, third
quarter 2002 benefited from a lower level of markdowns, in anticipation of
potential supply interruptions in the fourth quarter 2002 resulting from the
West Coast port situation. During the first nine months of 2003, gross margin
was 27.7 percent of sales, compared with 31.5 percent in the first nine months
of 2002.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 26.8 percent of sales in
the third quarter 2003 versus 25.3 percent in the third quarter 2002. The
increase reflects an $8 million increase in advertising and higher insurance
costs. During the first nine months of 2003, SG&A expenses were 26.1 percent
of sales versus 24.0 percent during the first nine months of 2002.

Total inventories at the end of the third quarter 2003 were $410.7 million
compared to $407.8 million at the end of the third quarter 2002. Inventory per
store declined by 1 percent. The company intends that inventory per store at
the end of fiscal 2003 should be less than at the end of fiscal 2002.
Therefore, working capital should be a source of cash for fiscal year 2003.

In July 2003, the company successfully completed the sale of $200 million
of 8.25% senior subordinated notes, priced to yield 8.50%, due 2013. Proceeds
from the notes, together with existing cash, were used to repay all existing
indebtedness under the term loan portion of the company's existing credit
facility. The credit facility, consisting of a $150 million revolving line of
credit, is scheduled to expire in the first quarter of 2005.

The current long-term debt structure provides the company enhanced
flexibility, as no principal payments are required until 2013.

The company ended the third quarter 2003 with a cash balance of
$141.7 million.

Total capital expenditures for the third quarter 2003 were $26.6 million,
including a $0.3 million contribution from the company's joint venture
partners, for a net of $26.3 million. Payless expects total capital
expenditures for fiscal 2003 to be $115 million. This includes a $5 million
contribution from the company's joint venture partners in Latin America, for a
net of $110 million.

In the third quarter 2003, the company opened 84 new stores and closed 54,
resulting in 30 net new stores. The total store count at the end of the third
quarter was 5,050, an increase of 58 net new stores since the beginning of the
year, consistent with previously announced plans.

During the third quarter 2003, the company opened 6 net new stores in the
Central American and Caribbean region excluding Puerto Rico. The company is
currently operating 143 stores in this region, and intends to open 3 – 8
additional stores by the end of fiscal year 2003. The company believes the
Central American and Caribbean region represents a 150 to 200 store
opportunity.

In addition, during the third quarter 2003 Payless opened 2 new stores in
South America. The company now operates 55 stores in this region, in the
countries of Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Payless does not expect the store count
to change significantly through the end of the year as it continues to focus
on achieving its performance standards in all countries in this region.

The company is currently operating 286 Canadian stores and expects to be
operating 290 stores in Canada by the end of the year, for a net increase of
16 stores.

Payless continues to explore additional opportunities to expand its core
business in new International markets. Recently, the company announced a
joint venture agreement with Nichimen Corporation to test the Payless
ShoeSource concept in Japan. Under the arrangement, Payless and Nichimen
intend to open their first test store in Japan during 2004. Nichimen
Corporation is a Japanese trading company headquartered in Tokyo, with fiscal
year 2002 sales in excess of $17 billion.

“Following a difficult second quarter, we entered the third quarter with
22 percent more inventory than the previous year, and the belief that the
retail environment would remain highly promotional in the second half of
2003,” said Steven J. Douglass, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Payless. “Our strategy was driven by our determination to defend our market
share, maintain our value proposition relative to higher-price tiers, and
reduce inventory.”

“We have seen measurable improvement in several key merchandise
categories. During the third quarter, we achieved positive same-store sales in
women's and men's dress shoes, men's athletic shoes, children's footwear, and
our accessories business. Total unit sales also grew in the third quarter,
driven by unit sales increases in our women's and children's categories, and
our men's leather and athletic shoes.”

The company expects the retail environment to remain highly promotional in
the fourth quarter. Therefore, margins and financial results are expected to
remain under intense pressure through the end of the year.

                             PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

    (Millions, except per share data)
                                              13 Weeks           39 Weeks
                                           Ended   Ended     Ended     Ended
                                           Nov 1,  Nov 2,    Nov 1,    Nov 2,
                                            2003    2002      2003      2002

    Net sales                              $709.8  $713.0  $2,138.9  $2,227.4

    Cost of sales                           520.5   483.6   1,546.9   1,525.3

    Gross Margin                            189.3   229.4     592.0     702.1

    Selling, General and Administrative
     Expenses                               190.2   180.6     558.9     534.4

    Non-recurring Benefit                     -      (1.2)      -        (2.1)

    Operating (Loss) Profit                  (0.9)   50.0      33.1     169.8

    Interest expense, net                     4.9     4.6      12.3      15.3

    (Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes
     and Minority Interest                   (5.8)   45.4      20.8     154.5

    (Benefit) Provision for income taxes     (2.1)   16.5       7.6      56.4

    Net (loss) earnings Before Minority
     Interest                                (3.7)   28.9      13.2      98.1

    Minority Interest                         1.5     0.7       3.9       2.6

    Net (Loss) Earnings                     $(2.2)  $29.6     $17.1    $100.7


    Diluted (loss) earnings per share      $(0.03)  $0.43     $0.25     $1.47

    Basic (loss) earnings per share        $(0.03)  $0.44     $0.25     $1.49