ShopKo April Comps Jump 4.3%

ShopKo Stores reported consolidated sales for the four weeks ended May 1, 2004 increased 4.2 percent to $233.7 million from $224.2 million during the same period last year. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 4.3 percent.

    Sales Summary by Business Segment (dollars in millions)

  Retail Segments               Period Ended            % Change
  4 Weeks:                         5/01/04         Total**         Comp*
   ShopKo                           $172.7            5.1%          5.0%
   Pamida                             61.0            2.0           2.3
   Total Retail                     $233.7            4.2%          4.3%

  13 Weeks:
   ShopKo                           $552.8            4.2%          4.2%
   Pamida                            182.2            2.7           3.3
   Total Retail                     $735.0            3.8%          3.9%

  * Comparable store sales represent sales of those stores open during both
     fiscal years and do not include sales from the ShopKo wholesale optical
     lab.
  **Pamida division total sales variance reflects sales in the prior year
     periods from seven locations, which have been closed and not replaced,
     and two new Pamida locations opened in fiscal year 2003.

  May Outlook

The company expects consolidated comparable store sales for the month of May to be in the positive mid single digit range.