EXHIBIT 32.1

            CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

         Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in connection with the filing of the Form
10-K of Federated Department Stores, Inc. (the "Company") for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
the date hereof (the "Report"), of the undersigned officers of the Company
certifies, that, to such officer's knowledge:

         1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         2.       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods
                  expressed in the Report.

Dated: April 15, 2004

                                            /s/ Terry J. Lundgren
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                                            Name: Terry J. Lundgren
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                            /s/ Karen M. Hoguet
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                                            Name:  Karen M. Hoguet
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer