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 29, 2005, 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: March 25, 2005

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

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