Exhibit 99.1


THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY REPORTS
SALES DECREASE OF 3.8% FOR APRIL


ST. LOUIS, May 8, 2003 - The May Department Stores Company [NYSE: MAY]
reported preliminary net sales of $967.4 million for the four-week period ended
May 3, 2003, a 3.8% decrease from $1.01 billion in the similar period last
year. Store-for-store sales decreased 5.6%.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 were $2.87 billion, a 7.2%
decrease compared with $3.10 billion during the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

Earnings per share, before income tax credits related to the resolution of
various federal and state tax issues, will be lower than the current First Call
consensus due to weaker-than-anticipated first-quarter sales.  May will report
its first quarter earnings May 13, 2003.

Net sales were as follows:




(dollars in millions)  Fiscal         Fiscal           Percent         Store-for-Store
                         2003           2002          Decrease                Decrease
<s>                                                                    
April                  $967.4       $1,006.0            (3.8)%                  (5.6)%
First Quarter         2,872.6        3,096.2            (7.2)                   (8.8)







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 opened two David's Bridal stores in Kentucky and
North Carolina.

The May Department Stores Company currently operates 445 department stores
under the names of Lord & Taylor, Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's,
Kaufmann's, L.S. Ayres, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's, and
The Jones Store, as well as 183 David's Bridal stores, 235 After Hours
stores, and 10 Priscilla of Boston stores.  May operates in 45 states,
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.


This release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While this release reflects all
available information and management's  judgment and estimates of current and
anticipated conditions and circumstances and is prepared with the assistance
of specialists within and outside the company, there are many factors outside
of our control that have an impact on our operations. Such factors include
but are not limited to competitive changes, general and regional economic
conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns, availability of
adequate locations for building or acquiring new stores, and our ability
to hire and retain qualified associates. Because of these factors, actual
performance could differ materially from that described in forward-looking
statements.