Retailer Saks Incorporated company comparable store sales decreased 0.6% and total sales decreased 38.5% in March. By segment, comparable store sales increased 2.2% for SDSG and decreased 1.7% for SFAE for the month. Sales below are in millions and represent sales from owned departments only.
For the five weeks ended April 1, 2006 compared to the five weeks ended April 2, 2005, owned sales were:

                                                           Comparable
                                               Total        Increase
                 This Year     Last Year     (Decrease)    (Decrease)
                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
SDSG            $    110.8    $    325.5         (66.0%)         2.2%
SFAE                 249.3         260.5          (4.3%)        (1.7%)
                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Total           $    360.1    $    586.0         (38.5%)        (0.6%)

At SDSG, “Community Days,” a major promotional event at the Northern Department Store Group (“NDSG”) which typically occurs in February, was moved into March this year, positively affecting March 2006 comparable store sales. Conversely, certain promotional events were shifted at both SDSG's Parisian business and SFAE to correspond to a later Easter (occurring on April 16th this year and on March 27th last year), which are expected to enhance April 2006 comparable store sales.

Merchandise categories with the best sales performances for SDSG in March were outerwear, home, men's furnishings, shoes, and accessories. Categories with the softest sales performances for SDSG in March were dresses, junior's apparel, women's petite sportswear, and men's sportswear. Categories with the best sales performances for SFAE in March were women's and men's contemporary apparel, women's Gold Range apparel, handbags, accessories, fragrances, and outerwear. Categories with the softest performances for SFAE in March were women's designer apparel, men's sportswear, women's eveningwear, and jewelry.

For the two months ended April 1, 2006 compared to the two months ended April 2, 2005, owned sales were:

                                               Total       Comparable
                 This Year     Last Year     (Decrease)    (Decrease)
                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
SDSG            $    301.7    $    574.5         (47.5%)        (3.3%)
SFAE                 420.3         448.7          (6.3%)        (3.8%)
                ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Total           $    722.0    $  1,023.2         (29.4%)        (3.6%)

The Company completed the sale of its SDSG Proffitt's/McRae's business to Belk, Inc. effective Midnight on July 2, 2005 and the sale of SDSG's NDSG business to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. effective Midnight on March 4, 2006. Total and comparable store sales above reflect revenues of Proffitt's/McRae's and NDSG through those dates. Effective March 5, 2006, SDSG consists of Parisian and Club Libby Lu.