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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 and 333-62425 on Form S-8 and Numbers 33-43334 and
         33-86300 on Form S-3

With respect to the subject registration statements, we acknowledge our
awareness of the use therein of our report dated May 19, 1999 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
June 4, 1999