SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
 

Date of Report: January 21, 2003

 
 

FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.

 

7 West Seventh Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 579-7000

 

-and-

 

151 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001
(212) 494-1602

 
 

Delaware

1-13536

13-3324058

(State of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Item 9.

Regulation FD Disclosure

Federated Department Stores, Inc. ("Federated"), today posted the following weekly sales update on its Internet website:

"This is the update for the second week of January 2003 including sales from Sunday January 12th through Saturday January 18th. The four week fiscal month of January 2003 runs from January 5th through February 1st this year.

Comp store sales in the first two weeks of the month have been somewhat stronger than anticipated. However, at this point we would still forecast the month as a whole to be down in the range of -4% to
-5%."

The informational statements contained in this release are the exclusive property of Federated and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of Federated.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect current views of the financial performance and future events of Federated. The words "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe" and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Future results of the operations of Federated could differ materially from historical results or current expectations due to a variety of factors that affect Federated, including competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, manufacturers' outlets, off-price and discount stores, new and established forms of home shopping (including the Internet, mail-order catalogues and television) and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, and the effect of weather.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.

Dated:  January 21, 2003

By:  /s/ Dennis J. Broderick

Name:  Dennis J. Broderick

Title:  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary