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                                                                      EXHIBIT 15

                           Accountants' Acknowledgment

Venator Group, Inc.
New York, New York

Board of Directors:

Re:      Registration Statements Numbers 33-10783, 33-91888, 33-91886, 33-97832,
         333-07215, 333-21131, 333-62425, 333-33120, 333-41056 and 333-41058 on
         Form S-8 and Numbers 33-43334, 33-86300 and 333-64930 on Form S-3

With respect to the subject registration statements, we acknowledge our
awareness of the use therein of our report dated August 14, 2001 related to our
review of interim financial information.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, such report is not
considered a part of a registration statement prepared or certified by an
accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning
of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.



/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
September 18, 2001