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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004
                                       OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

                         Commission file number 1-10767

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                              ---------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                Ohio                                     20-0090238
----------------------------------          ------------------------------------
   (State or other jurisdiction             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)

 3241 Westerville Road, Columbus, Ohio                      43224
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(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

                                 (614) 471-4722
               ---------------------------------------------------
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:                  Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Shares, without par value              New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing
requirements for at least the past 90 days. YES X NO ____

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES ___ NO X

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant computed by reference to the price at which such voting stock was
last sold, as of August 2, 2003, was $26,450,655.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 33,993,156 Common Shares were
outstanding at April 5, 2004.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on June 9, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Parts
II and III.

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO.                                                                                                   PAGE
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<S>                                                                                                        <C>
PART I

1.    Business..........................................................................................     3
2.    Properties........................................................................................    13
3.    Legal Proceedings.................................................................................    14
4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...............................................    14

PART II

5.    Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.........................    15
6.    Selected Financial Data...........................................................................    16
7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations............................................................    17
7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk .......................................    26
8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.......................................................    26
9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
         Accounting and Financial Disclosure............................................................    26
9A.   Controls and Procedures ..........................................................................    26

PART III

10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................................................    27
11.   Executive Compensation............................................................................    28
12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders
         Matters........................................................................................    28
13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions....................................................    28
14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services............................................................    28

PART IV

15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule and Reports on Form 8-K....................................    29
Signatures..............................................................................................    30

TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

Independent Auditors' Report............................................................................   F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets.............................................................................   F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations...................................................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity.........................................................   F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows...................................................................   F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................................................   F-6

SCHEDULES

II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..................................................................   S-1
Index to Exhibits.......................................................................................   E-1
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                                     PART I

         As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and except as the context
otherwise may require, "Company", "we", "us", and "our" refers to Retail
Ventures, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including but not limited to,
Value City Department Stores, Inc. ("Value City"), DSW Shoe Warehouse,
Inc.("DSW") and Filene's Basement, Inc.("Filene's Basement").

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

         This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify such forward-looking statements by the
words "expects", "intends", "plans", "projects", "believes", "estimates" and
similar expressions. In the normal course of business, we, in an effort to help
keep our shareholders and the public informed about our operations, may from
time to time issue such forward-looking statements, either orally or in writing.
Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected or
anticipated benefits or other consequences of such plans or strategies, or
projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of
operating results. We base the forward-looking statements on our current
expectations, estimates, and projections. We caution you that these statements
are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and
assumptions that we cannot predict. In addition, we have based many of these
forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to
be inaccurate. Therefore, the actual results of the future events described in
the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or elsewhere,
could differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements is contained
under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         We maintain an Internet website at www.valuecity.com (this uniform
resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not
intended to incorporate the Company's website in this Annual Report on Form
10-K). We file our reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") and make available free of charge, on or through our website, our annual
reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports of Form
8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to these reports filed or
furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as soon as reasonably practicable after
we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

         On October 8, 2003, the Company reorganized its corporate structure
into a holding company form whereby Retail Ventures, Inc., an Ohio corporation,
became the successor issuer to Value City Department Stores, Inc. As a result of
the reorganization, Value City Department Stores, Inc. became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc.

         In connection with the reorganization, holders of common shares of
Value City became holders of an identical number of common shares of Retail
Ventures, Inc. The reorganization was affected by a merger which was previously
approved by the Company's shareholders. Since October 8, 2003, the Company's
common shares have been listed for trading under the ticker symbol "RVI" on the
New York Stock Exchange.

GENERAL

         We are managed in three operating segments: Value City Department
Stores ("Value City"), DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc. ("DSW") and Filene's Basement,
Inc. ("Filene's Basement").

         VALUE CITY. We operate a chain of 116 off-price department stores
located in the Midwestern, Eastern and Southern states, principally under the
name Value City. For over 80 years, our strategy has been to provide exceptional
value by offering a broad selection of brand name merchandise at prices
substantially below conventional retail prices.

         DSW. We also operate a chain of 142 DSW stores located throughout the
United States. The DSW stores are upscale shoe stores offering a wide selection
of branded dress and casual footwear below traditional retail prices.
Additionally, Shonac Corporation, the parent company of DSW, pursuant to license
agreements with Value City and Filene's Basement, operates licensed shoe
departments in most Value City and Filene's Basement stores. Results of
operations of the licensed shoe departments are included with the Value City and
Filene's Basement segments. In July 2002, Shonac Corporation entered into a
Supply Agreement with Stein Mart, Inc. ("Stein Mart") to supply merchandise to
some of Stein Mart's shoe departments. Results of the supply agreement are
included with the DSW segment and represent substantially all of the leased
operations of the segment.

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         FILENE'S BASEMENT. Finally, we operate 21 Filene's Basement stores
located primarily in major metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York City,
Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Filene's Basement focuses on providing the
top tier brand names at everyday low prices for men's and women's apparel,
jewelry, shoes, accessories and home goods.

         See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on
page F-21 of this annual report for detailed financial information regarding our
three segments.

HISTORY OF OUR BUSINESS

         We opened our first Value City department store in Columbus, Ohio in
1917. Until our initial public offering on June 18, 1991, Value City department
stores operated as a division of Schottenstein Stores Corporation ("SSC"). SSC
owns approximately 53% of our common shares. We also have a number of ongoing
related party agreements and arrangements with SSC. These are more fully
described in Item 13 of this report beginning on page 28.

         In July 1997, we entered into agreements with Mazel Stores, Inc.
("Mazel") to create VCM, Ltd. ("VCM"), a 50/50 joint venture. Since 1997, VCM
has operated the licensed health and beauty care, toy and sporting goods
departments in our Value City stores and, beginning in fiscal 2000, began
operating the food department. Effective at the close of business February 2,
2002, we purchased Mazel's interest in the partnership.

         In May, 1998, we purchased substantially all of the common shares of
Shonac Corporation, an Ohio corporation, from Nacht Management, Inc. and SSC.
Subsequently we acquired the remaining shares. Shonac had been the shoe licensee
in principally all of the Value City stores since its inception in 1969 and has
operated the DSW chain of retail shoe stores since the opening of the first
store in 1991.

         We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain
liabilities of Filene's Basement Corp., a Massachusetts corporation, and
Filene's Basement, Inc., a Delaware corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Filene's Basement Corp, in March 2000.

         On October 8, 2003, the Company reorganized its corporate structure
into a holding company form of organizational structure whereby Retail Ventures,
Inc. became the successor issuer to Value City Department Stores, Inc. As a
result of the reorganization, Value City Department Stores, Inc, an Ohio
corporation, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc.

         In connection with the reorganization, holders of common shares of
Value City became holders of an identical number of common shares of Retail
Ventures, Inc. The reorganization was affected by a merger which was previously
approved by the Company's shareholders. Since October 8, 2003, the Company's
common shares have been listed for trading under the ticker symbol "RVI" on the
New York Stock Exchange.

VALUE CITY DEPARTMENT STORES

         As an off-price retailer, we take advantage of inventory imbalances
along the retail supply chain. These imbalances occur as a result of cancelled
orders, excess production, and consumer changes in demand which create
opportunities for us. In this role, we offer ourselves as an important
alternative to manufacturers as an additional distribution source for their
goods. In addition, we believe we have a core of customers that have embraced
off-price retailing as an attractive retail concept and we continue to market to
those who seek this alternative concept to traditional retail offerings.

         MERCHANDISING

         Selection. Value City is a full-line, off-price retailer carrying
men's, women's and children's apparel, housewares, giftware, home furnishings,
toys, jewelry, shoes, health, beauty care items and commodities. Off-price
retailing, as distinguished from traditional full-price retailing and discount
or off-brand merchandising, is characterized by the purchase by the retailer of
primarily high quality brand name merchandise, at prices below normal cost to
most retailers. We accomplish our merchandise content by taking advantage of
imbalances in the inventory supply chain between the manufacturer and other
retailers and these retailers and the ultimate consumer. A portion of the cost
savings is then passed on to our customers through lower prices. The Value City
customer we generally attract with these items and price points are value
seekers, budget minded and/or moderate-income. Our Value City stores strive to
offer customers one-stop-shopping for the categories of merchandise we carry.
The large size of our Value City stores facilitates the offering of a wide range
of merchandise categories with broad, deep selections of goods within each
category. Value City stores carry over 100,000 different items of merchandise,
similar to the items generally found in traditional department, specialty and
discount stores. We continually refine the Value City merchandise mix by
eliminating less productive departments and introducing new merchandise
categories to improve store profitability and meet the changing needs of our
customers.

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         We believe our customers are attracted to Value City stores by the
continuous new offerings and flow of value-priced and fashion right merchandise.
At the same time, we purchase continuing lines of merchandise from our vendor
contacts to ensure constant availability and allotment of certain basic
categories of merchandise as well as current fashion trends.

         Value Pricing. Value City stores offer quality brand name merchandise
at prices typically 30% to 70% below initial prices charged by traditional
department, discount or specialty stores for similar items and at prices
comparable to or lower than prices charged by other off-price retailers. We can
offer exceptional values because our buyers purchase merchandise directly from
manufacturers and other vendors generally at prices substantially below those
paid by conventional retailers. This allows us to pass on the savings directly
to our budget minded and/or moderate-income customers. See "Supplier
Relationships and Purchasing" on page 5 of this annual report for more
information.

         Well-known designer labels, brand names and original retailer names are
prominently displayed throughout our Value City stores. Many items carry labels
and/or original price tags showing brand names identifiable with major
designers, manufacturers and retail stores, as well as tags showing original
retail, comparable or "nationally advertised" prices. In certain cases,
suppliers may require removal of labels or original retail price tags as a
condition to a special purchase arrangement. See "Supplier Relationships and
Purchasing" on page 5 of this annual report for more information.

         SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS AND PURCHASING

         An important factor in our operations has been the relationships we
have developed with our various suppliers and our many years of experience in
purchasing merchandise directly from manufacturers and other vendors at prices
substantially below those generally paid by conventional retailers. Over the
years, our buyers have established excellent relationships with suppliers and
have developed a reputation for the ability to purchase entire lots of
merchandise. Continuously, we seek to find and negotiate special purchase
opportunities. The apparel industry is extremely fragmented in terms of
merchandise supply; thus, the dynamics of the markets continue to change, and we
attempt to take advantage of the innumerable disconnects in this supply chain
such as overproduction, other retailers' cancellations and overruns. As a result
of our relationships, reputation and experience, many suppliers offer special
purchase opportunities to us prior to attempting to dispose of merchandise
through other channels. Manufacturers of brand name merchandise are not
reluctant to sell merchandise to Value City for resale at our discounted prices
as we provide a stable and known outlet for manufacturing imbalances. By selling
their merchandise through our retail stores, we are able to assure these
suppliers the merchandise will be sold without disturbing their regular channels
of distribution.

         Although we cannot quantify the reduction in prices we pay for special
purchases compared to the prices paid by our competitors for similar purchases,
we believe that such special purchases are made at prices sufficiently favorable
to enable us to offer merchandise to our customers at very competitive price
points.

         We purchase merchandise from more than 4,700 suppliers, none of which
accounted for a material percentage of purchases during the past fiscal year.
Except for greeting cards we do not maintain any long-term or exclusive
commitments to purchase merchandise from any one supplier. We employ several
purchasing strategies. We regularly purchase overstocked or overproduced items
from manufacturers and other retailers, including end-of-season, out-of-season
and end-of-run merchandise and manufacturers' slight irregulars. From time to
time, but less frequently from our historical practice, we purchase all or
substantially all of the inventories of financially distressed retailers and
make other special purchases. We also have started more aggressively to seek
advantageous buying opportunities and sourcing overseas, particularly in
non-apparel categories. We make merchandise purchases for these broad purposes:
packaway, opportunistic needs and up-front planned requirements. Packaway
purchases are used as a method of sourcing closeout merchandise found in the
market and warehousing theses goods until the following season. Packaway
merchandise lags the normal retail distribution by approximately one selling
season and generally has a level of risk above other purchases. We purchase
in-season merchandise opportunistically during the selling season when seasonal
merchandise presents itself and the cost of the acquisition allows for
sufficient retail markup. Up-front planned purchases occur in advance of our
season and represent a significant part of some areas of our non-apparel
businesses and a lesser part of our apparel business.

         The relatively large size of our Value City stores provides us with the
flexibility to purchase full lots of merchandise that may not be available to
other off-price retailers with smaller stores requiring more targeted purchases.
Although there is growing competition for the kinds of special purchases that we
seek, we believe that, because of the factors discussed above, we will be able
to obtain sufficient supplies of desirable merchandise at favorable prices in
the future.

         ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

         We have committed substantial resources to advertising. Value City
advertises frequently in print, including newspapers, circulars and flyers, and
on television and radio. The promotional strategy is carefully planned and
budgeted to include not only institutional and seasonal promotions, but also
weekly storewide sales events highlighting recent buy-outs and other specially
purchased brand name merchandise designed to maximize customer interest. In some
cases, a supplier may prohibit the advertising or non-store promotion of its
brand name. We utilize advertising agencies to assist us in promoting our Value
City brand recognition.

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         STORES

         Store Location, Design and Operations. We believe our customers are
attracted to our stores principally by the wide assortment of quality items at
substantial savings.

         Our Value City stores are generally open from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. All of the
stores are located in leased facilities. Of the 116 Value City stores open as of
April 5, 2004, 33 are freestanding, 56 are located in shopping centers and 27
are located in enclosed malls. Our Value City stores average approximately
87,000 square feet, with approximately 70% of the total area of each store
representing selling space. The stores are generally laid out on a single level,
with central traffic aisles providing access to major departments. Each
department strives to display and stock large quantities and assortments of
merchandise, giving the store a full appearance. Our stores offer customers a
convenient, pleasurable shopping experience and a high level of satisfaction.

         All of our Value City stores are designed for self-service shopping,
although sales personnel are available to help customers locate merchandise and
to assist in the selection and fitting of apparel, jewelry, and footwear. Value
City's associate training programs are designed to assure that every associate
maintains the highest level of professionalism and places customer service at
the forefront. In all stores, a customer service desk is conveniently located,
generally adjacent to the central checkout area. To promote the ease of
checkout, we utilize point of sale scanning systems that expedite the checkout
process by providing automated check and credit approval and price lookup. We
accept all major credit cards and also provide a private label credit card
program. Value City offers a layaway program in approximately 60% of its stores
that is widely used by our budget and moderate-income customers, and we also
maintain a reasonable return policy.

         Our stores are organized into separate geographic regions and
districts, each with a territory or district manager. Territory and district
managers are headquartered in their region and spend the majority of their time
in their stores to ensure adherence to merchandising, operational and personnel
standards. The typical staff for a Value City store consists of a store manager,
several assistants and full and part-time hourly associates. Each store manager
reports directly to one of the territory or district managers, and each of the
territory or district managers reports to a Regional Vice President who in turn
reports to the Senior Vice President of Store Operations.

         Our store managers are responsible on a day-to-day basis for the
overall condition of their stores, customer relations, personnel hiring and
scheduling, and all other operational matters arising in the stores. Each store
manager is compensated, in part, based on the performance of their store. Our
store managers are an important source of information concerning local market
conditions, trends and customer preferences.

         We prefer to fill management positions through promotion of existing
associates. A store management training program is maintained to develop the
management skills of associates and to provide a source of management personnel
for future store expansion.

         We continually refurbish our stores by updating the merchandise
displays, department locations and in-store signage. The costs of refurbishing
on a per store basis are generally not substantial. On an annual basis, we
select stores to be remodeled, which generally involves more significant changes
to the interior than the exterior of the store. We have in the past utilized our
own internal architectural design staff, construction crews and carpentry shop
to assist in refurbishing and remodeling store interiors and to build in-store
display tables and racks.

         Expansion. No new department stores were added in fiscal 2003, 2002 or
2001 and none are currently planned for fiscal 2004. We continue to explore
exceptional real estate opportunities basing any potential future expansions on
site qualities, national economic trends and existing store performance.

         DISTRIBUTION

         Our distribution facilities are designed to enable us to prioritize the
processing of merchandise on short notice and to deliver merchandise to stores
within days of receipt. This allows our buyers to purchase merchandise very late
in the season, when prices tend to be more favorable, and still deliver the
merchandise to stores before the end of the season. At the same time, we are
capable of devoting warehouse space to out-of-season goods for our Value City
stores. Such merchandise is generally warehoused until the most opportune time
to begin a season before closeouts are available. Our ability to purchase and
quickly distribute our warehouse merchandise in substantial quantities has
enabled us to offer high-quality merchandise to customers at prices
significantly below usual retail prices. We believe that this ability
distinguishes us from the typical discount or department store and provides us
with a competitive advantage in making purchases as favorable opportunities
arise.

         We use a regionalized distribution strategy with 6 distribution centers
located in Columbus, Ohio. The aggregate area of the distribution facilities is
approximately 2,300,000 square feet; however, use of multi-tier processing
levels in some of the distribu-

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tion centers increases the operating capacity by approximately 380,000 square
feet. In addition, to expedite the flow of merchandise, we use third party
processors as needed.

         Our distribution facilities utilize material handling equipment,
including mechanized conveyor systems to separate and collate shipments to the
stores. Our distribution facilities are designed to allow priority delivery of
late season purchases and fast-moving merchandise to our stores to take full
advantage of the remaining selling seasons.

         Merchandise is processed, ticketed and consolidated prior to shipment
to the stores to ensure full-truck loads and minimize shipping costs. We lease
our fleet of road tractors and approximately 70% of our semi-rig trailers, with
the remainder being owned. Our fleet makes the majority of all deliveries to the
stores.

         LICENSE AGREEMENTS

         Value City utilizes Shonac Corporation, the parent company of DSW, to
operate the shoe departments in substantially all the Value City stores. The
inter-company activity is eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.
In a few stores, Value City licenses space to third party licensees. Licensees
supply their own merchandise and generally supply their own store fixtures.
Licensed departments complement the operations of our stores and facilitate the
uniformity of the in-store merchandising strategy, including the overall
emphasis on value.

         SEGMENT SEASONALITY

         Value City customer traffic increases in the early Spring,
back-to-school and Christmas holiday seasons. These seasonal periods are
critical to Value City's annual operating targets.

         SERVICE MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

         The service mark "Value City" has been registered by SSC in the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office. Our four department stores in Columbus operate
under the tradename "Schottenstein's," which has been registered by SSC in the
State of Ohio. We are entitled to use such names for the sole purpose of
operating department stores on an exclusive basis pursuant to a perpetual
license from SSC. SSC also operates a chain of furniture stores under the name
"Value City Furniture." We have also registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office various trademarks used in our marketing program.

DSW

         The mission of our DSW stores is to be the retailer of choice for
branded footwear by satisfying customers' expectation for selection, convenience
and value. We use the tagline "The Shoes of the Moment. The Deal of a Lifetime."
and offer a "Reward Your Style" program to frequent shoppers. In July 2002,
Shonac Corporation, the parent of DSW, entered into a Supply Agreement with
Stein Mart, Inc. (Stein Mart) to supply merchandise to some of Stein Mart's shoe
departments. The Stein Mart operations are included with the DSW segment and
represent substantially all of the leased operations of the segment.

         MERCHANDISING

         Selection. DSW stores attract customers because of their wide
assortment of top quality name brand dress, casual and athletic footwear for men
and women. The product offering is a selection of regularly changing in season
and fashion-oriented footwear, handbags and accessories. Our assortments are
targeted to maximize regional opportunities.

         Value Pricing. DSW price points are targeted to be up to 50% lower than
the regular prices of other specialty retailers and traditional department
stores. To enhance our merchandise sourcing strategy, maintain quality, lower
costs and shortened delivery cycles we have identified and established
relationships with cost-efficient manufacturers and suppliers of quality
merchandise.

         The DSW leased operations attract customers by having top quality name
brand dress and casual footwear for men and women. The footwear reflects the
fashion statements being made within the total store. The DSW leased department
price points target up to 40% off the regular price points found at traditional
department stores. Our licensed shoe departments also participate in all store
wide promotions and sale events.

         SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS AND PURCHASING

         DSW's merchandising group constantly monitors current fashion trends as
well as historical sales trends to identify popular styles and styles that may
become popular in the upcoming season. Once our buyers determine the styles and
merchandise mix for any upcoming season, they focus on purchasing the
appropriate quantities of each category at the lowest cost and the highest
quality available.

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         DSW believes it has good relationships with its vendors. Merchandise is
purchased from both domestic and foreign suppliers directly or through agents.
Vendors include suppliers who either manufacture their own merchandise or supply
merchandise manufactured by others or both. DSW believes that, consistent with
the retail footwear industry as a whole, most of its domestic vendors import a
large portion of their merchandise from abroad. We have implemented quality
control programs under which buyers inspect incoming merchandise for fit, color
and material, as well as for overall quality of manufacturing. As the number of
DSW locations increase, we believe there will be adequate sources available to
acquire and/or produce a sufficient supply of quality goods in a timely manner
and on satisfactory economic terms.

         ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

         Our DSW stores currently use a market campaign, primarily radio and
television, focusing on the term "Thrill of the Hunt". This campaign is
supplemented by print promotions, as needed, but our media focus is television.
In addition, a valuable marketing tool for DSW is the "Reward Your Style"
customer loyalty program. Customers are asked to join the program during the
checkout procedure. By analyzing the member database, as well as the sales
transactions of those members, we are able to direct the advertising to
encourage repeat shopping and to reach targeted customers. DSW also sponsors
certain LPGA events and athletes.

         STORES

         Store Location, Design and Operations. Our DSW stores average
approximately 25,000 square feet, with about 87% of the total area of each store
representing selling space. The stores' exteriors feature black and white color
schemes and in many cases, windows with striped awnings. The store interiors are
well lighted and feature a unique display concept, a simple case presentation
which groups the shoes together by style. Interior signage is tasteful and kept
to a minimum. The shoe stores are primarily located on a single level, with the
cases of shoes forming the aisles in the stores. Customers can see the entire
store and merchandise when they enter. Of the 150 DSW stores open as of April 5,
2004, 14 are freestanding, 115 are in shopping centers and 21 are in enclosed
malls. The stores are generally open from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday
through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. All stores are
located in leased facilities.

         All of our DSW stores are designed for self-service shopping. Sales
personnel are available to help customers locate merchandise and to assist as
needed. We utilize point of sale scanning systems to expedite the checkout
process. These systems provide automated checks, credit approval and price
lookup. DSW accepts all major credit cards and promotes gift card purchases.

         At DSW, all associates receive training to maximize the customer
shopping experience in our self-service environment. Training components consist
of customer acknowledgement, neat, clean and orderly store conditions for ease
of shopping, efficient checkout process and friendly service. A store management
training program is maintained to develop the skills of management personnel and
to provide an ongoing talent pool for future store expansion. We prefer to fill
store management and field supervisor positions through internal promotions.
This supports our Company culture.

         Our stores are organized into two separate geographic regions and
several districts. Each region is supported by a Regional Vice President and
District Managers who are headquartered in their respective region or district.
They spend the majority of their time in their stores to ensure adherence to
merchandising, operational and personnel standards.

         The typical staff for a DSW store consists of a store manager and two
assistant managers who supervise 15 to 25 full and part-time hourly associates.
Each store manager reports directly to one of 28 district managers who in turn
report to one of two Regional Vice Presidents who in turn report to the Senior
Vice President of Store Operations.

         Our DSW store managers are responsible on a day-to-day basis for
customer relations, personnel hiring and scheduling, and all other operational
matters arising in the stores. Our store managers are an important source of
information concerning local market conditions, trends and customer preferences.
Each store manager is compensated, in part, based on the performance of his
store.

         Expansion. We plan to open 35 new DSW shoe stores during fiscal 2004 in
both existing and new markets with an emphasis on locating stores in highly
visible sites on high traffic streets in vibrant trade areas. Factors considered
in evaluating new store sites include store size, demographics and lease terms.
We seek to cluster stores in targeted metropolitan areas to enhance name
recognition, share in advertising costs and achieve economies of scale in
management, distribution and marketing.

         Based upon our experience, we estimate the average cost of opening a
new DSW shoe store ranges from approximately $1.0 million to $2.0 million,
including leasehold improvements, fixtures, inventory, pre-opening expenses and
other costs. Preparations for opening a DSW shoe store generally take eight to
ten weeks. We charge pre-opening expenses to operations as incurred. It has been
our experience that new stores generally achieve profitability and contribute to
net income following the first year of operations. It is not uncommon to receive
lease incentives for our DSW store openings.

                                        8
<PAGE>

         We continually refurbish our stores by updating the merchandise
displays and in-store signage. The costs of refurbishing on a per store basis
are generally not substantial. On an annual basis, we select stores to be
remodeled, which generally involves more significant changes to the interior
than the exterior of the store. We maintain our own architectural design staff.

         DISTRIBUTION

         Shonac Corporation and DSW's principal offices and distribution center
operations are located in a 700,000 square foot facility in Columbus, Ohio. This
distribution center facility uses a modern warehouse management system and
material handling equipment, including conveyor systems, to separate and collate
shipments to our stores. This includes a recently added cross dock conveyor
system that enhances the movement of merchandise, through the distribution
facility, using vendor advance shipment notifications ("ASNs"). This system will
also support the ability of this facility to handle DSW's anticipated growth in
2004. The design of the distribution center facilitates the prompt delivery of
priority purchases and fast selling footwear to stores so we can take full
advantage of each selling season.

         LEASED DEPARTMENTS AND SUPPLY AGREEMENTS

         Shonac Corporation, the parent company of DSW, operates the shoe
departments in most Value City and Filene's Basement stores. The results of
operations for the licensed shoe departments are included with Value City and
Filene's Basement segments.

         DSW has a supply agreement to merchandise shoe departments in Stein
Mart which began in July 2002. The shoe departments in these stores range from
500 to 4,000 square feet. DSW provides the merchandise, fixtures and field
supervision in all leased locations. Stein Mart provides the sales associates
per the supply agreement. As of April 5, 2004, Shonac was supplying merchandise
to 151 Stein Mart stores.

         SEGMENT SEASONALITY

         The shoe business experiences increased sales in both early Spring and
Fall seasons in relationship to the change in footwear desired by the DSW
customer. These seasonal periods are critical to DSW's annual operating targets.

         SERVICE MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

         We have registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office a number of
trademarks and service marks, including: DSW; DSW Shoe Warehouse; Coach and
Four; Crown Shoes; Reward Your Style; Flites; Jonathan Victor; Kristi G; Lakota
Trail; Landmarks; Sandler; Shoes by Kari; and Sylvia Cristie.

FILENE'S BASEMENT

         Filene's Basement strategy focuses on providing the top tier brand
names at everyday low prices for men's and women's apparel, jewelry, shoes,
accessories and home goods. We believe Filene's Basement, a well-known
institution in Boston since 1908, parallels our merchandising philosophy of
delivering value-priced merchandise to our customers.

         MERCHANDISING

         Selection. Filene's Basement stores offer branded apparel, home goods
and accessories. The branded merchandise represents a focused assortment of
fashionable, nationally recognized men's and women's apparel, shoes, accessories
and home goods bearing prominent designers' and manufacturers' names. Branded
merchandise constitutes most of the product line and is often obtained through
opportunistic purchases from a diverse group of quality manufacturers and
vendors, including direct imports from some of the most prominent European
designers.

         Value Pricing. Filene's Basement stores have changed their purchasing
philosophy over the last year from buying in-season closeouts to more upfront
purchasing. We believe that upfront purchasing will promote a consistent flow of
name brand purchases to our stores. We now place approximately 40% of our
purchases up front. We also have become more aggressive in placing purchases of
make-up goods in Europe, such as sweaters, knits and cold weather goods. We
believe this will ensure a consistent flow of goods into our stores.

         We also accelerated our buying end-of-season merchandise and holding it
for the next selling season. This allows us to establish a reliable flow of name
brand goods for opening season assortments in February and August.

                                        9
<PAGE>

         SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS AND PURCHASING

         Because of the longstanding relationships Filene's Basement has with
vendors, it receives quality buying opportunities at competitive prices. These
longstanding relationships make Filene's Basement a prime choice for vendors
with overruns, department store cancellations and unmet volume objectives.

         ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

         Filene's Basement employs a multi-media approach, using print,
broadcast and direct mail. Event based marketing and brand awareness have been
the main marketing messages. The communication strategy is designed to target
customer segments and generate increased store trips and cross shopping
opportunities. During fiscal 2003, Filene's Basement introduced a gift card
program to its stores.

         STORES

         Store Location, Design and Operations. Our Filene's Basement Boston
store is a landmark institution recognized by generations of New England
families and visitors as a source of quality off-price men's and women's
merchandise. The downtown location is famous for a unique marketing concept -
the Automatic Markdown Plan - whereby certain merchandise is automatically
discounted based on the number of days the merchandise has been on the sales
floor. Filene's Basement believes the Automatic Markdown Plan, found only in the
downtown Boston location, generates a sense of shopping urgency and creates
customer excitement and loyalty. Our Filene's Basement downtown Boston store
subleases 178,000 square feet (approximately 65,300 square feet of selling
space) on four floors. The sublease terminates in 2009 with rights on behalf of
Filene's Basement to extend until 2024. The Boston store generated approximately
19% of Filene's Basement's total sales during fiscal 2003.

         Most of our Filene's Basement stores are located in suburban areas,
near large residential neighborhoods, and average approximately 40,000 square
feet of selling space per store. The downtown Boston location and stores in New
York, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington D.C. are located in urban areas. As of
April 5, 2004, Filene's Basement operates 22 branch stores in eight states and
the District of Columbia. Generally, the branch store's selling space uses a
prototypical "racetrack" aisle layout for merchandise presentation. The branch
stores are designed to be convenient and attractive in their merchandise
presentation, dressing rooms, checkouts and customer service areas. Their
merchandise mix is similar to that of the Boston flagship store. The branch
stores do not operate under the Automatic Markdown Plan, although markdowns are
taken as required.

         All of our Filene's Basement stores are designed for self-service
shopping, although sales personnel are available to help customers locate
merchandise and to assist in the selection and fitting of apparel and footwear.
In all stores, a customer service desk is conveniently located generally
adjacent to the central checkout area. To promote the ease of checkout we
utilize point of sale scanning systems that expedite the checkout process by
providing automated check and credit approval and price lookup. Sales associates
are trained to create a "customer-friendly" environment. Filene's Basement
accepts all major credit cards, and also provides a private label credit card
program. Filene's Basement maintains a reasonable return policy.

         Our Filene's Basement stores' typical staff consists of a general
manager, an assistant store manager, merchandising group managers and full and
part-time associates. Each general manager reports to a Regional Vice President
who in turn reports to the Senior Vice President, Director of Stores.

         Filene's Basement store managers are responsible on a day-to-day basis
for customer relations, personnel hiring and scheduling, and all other
operational matters arising in the stores. Each store manager is compensated, in
part, based on the performance of his store. Our store managers are an important
source of information concerning local market conditions, trends and customer
preferences.

         We prefer to fill management positions through promotion of existing
associates.

         Expansion. We plan to open 4 new Filene's Basement stores during fiscal
2004. Based upon our experience, we estimate the average cost of opening a new
Filene's Basement store is between $4.0 million to $5.0 million including
leasehold improvements, fixtures, inventory, pre-opening expenses and other
costs. Preparations for opening a Filene's Basement store generally take eight
to ten weeks. We charge pre-opening expenses to operations as incurred. It has
been our experience that new stores generally achieve profitability and
contribute to net income following the first full year of operations.

         We continually update our stores by changing the merchandise displays
and in-store signage. The annual cost of refurbishing on a per store basis is
generally not substantial and is treated as on-going cost of operations. We
utilize our own architectural design staff, construction crews and carpentry
shop as needed to assist in the refurbishing and remodeling of a store or to
build in-store display tables and racks.

                                       10
<PAGE>

         DISTRIBUTION

         Filene's Basement's merchandise is processed and distributed from a
457,000 square foot leased distribution facility situated on 32.8 acres with
adjacent rail service in Auburn, Massachusetts, outside of metropolitan Boston,
Massachusetts.

         LICENSE AGREEMENTS

         Filene's Basement licenses cosmetics and certain other incidental
departments to independent third parties. The aggregate annual license fees for
the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 were approximately $1.5 million. Filene's
Basement also uses Shonac Corporation, the parent company of DSW, to manage the
in-store shoe departments on a lease department basis. The inter-company
activity is eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.

         Licensees supply their own merchandise and generally supply their own
store fixtures. In most instances, licensees utilize our associates to operate
their departments. The licensees reimburse us for all costs associated with such
associates. Licensed departments are operated under our general supervision and
licensees are required to abide by our policies with regard to pricing, quality
of merchandise, refunds and store hours. Licensed departments complement the
operations of our stores and facilitate the uniformity of the in store
merchandising strategy including the overall emphasis on value.

         SEGMENT SEASONALITY

         Filene's Basement customer traffic increases in the early Spring and
the Christmas holiday seasons. These seasonal periods are critical to Filene's
Basement's annual operating targets.

         SERVICE MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

         Filene's Basement has an exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free
license to use the name Filene's Basement and Filene's Basement of Boston
trademark and service mark registrations as well as certain other tradenames.
Filene's Basement's exclusive licensee status with respect to these registered
marks has been recorded with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and
relevant state offices.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

         We believe a high level of automation is essential to maintaining and
improving our competitive position. We rely upon computerized systems to provide
information at all levels, including warehouse operations, store billing,
inventory control, merchandising and automated accounting.

         We utilize point of sale ("POS") registers with full scanning
capabilities to increase speed and accuracy at customer checkouts and facilitate
inventory restocking.

         We utilize automated distribution center systems to track and control
the receipt, processing, storage and shipping of product to the stores.

         Value City has embarked on major projects to replace its legacy
systems with industry leading solutions from various vendors. Value City has
implemented sales audit, accounts payable, allocation, merchandise management
and retail data warehouse systems for its jewelry business during February 2004
that will enhance inventory productivity and merchandise assortments for our
stores. A warehouse management system was also implemented for the jewelry
operations during February 2004 and will improve the efficiency of our
distribution centers and speed the flow of merchandise to our stores. These
types of systems will be implemented in the future to support hardlines and
softlines. A new POS software was successfully piloted in one store during the
fourth quarter of 2003 and will be implemented in all Value City stores in
fiscal 2004. All POS registers will be replaced to improve the customer
transaction experience and enhance back office efficiency in fiscal 2004. New
wireless hand held scanners and wireless printers were successfully piloted in
one store in the fourth quarter of 2003 and will be implemented in fiscal 2004
in conjunction with the POS system for markdown and inventory processing and
will be used for reducing lines "queue busting" during very busy shopping
periods. Value City systems run on two AS/400's and open systems computers.
Filene's Basement shares an AS/400 with Value City.

         DSW has undertaken several major initiatives to build upon the Essentus
merchandise management system and Retek warehouse management systems that
support the Company. An EDI (electronic data interchange) project is underway to
utilize product UPC barcodes and electronic exchange of purchase orders, ASNs
and invoices with our top vendors. At this time, 70% of DSW's product is
processed using the UPC bar code which has reduced processing costs and improved
flow of goods through the distribution center to the stores. EDI purchase orders
and ASN's were successfully piloted with key vendors in 2003 and will be
implemented for 50% of volume during fiscal 2004. This will speed the flow of
goods from the vendor to the DSW stores. New, state-

                                       11
<PAGE>

of-the-art, completely wireless POS systems have been rolled out to all DSW
stores resulting in a faster, easier customer checkout and a more efficient back
office operation. A completely wireless store supports fast and easy new store
openings. Gift cards are sold at POS starting during the 2003 holiday season. In
order to support the continued growth of DSW, merchandise planning and
merchandise allocation systems were implemented in June and September 2003,
respectively, to improve inventory productivity and store assortments. Business
intelligence tools in conjunction with datamarts are used for business analysis
and decision support. DSW systems run on UNIX computer systems.

         We automated our corporate environment with a document management
system in 2003 for invoice processing to move toward an efficient, paperless
environment. In 2003, we implemented financial reporting and analysis and
financial planning systems to augment and streamline these processes. We have
embarked on a data warehouse project to provide capabilities for customer and
advertising analysis as well as to support a new loss prevention system.

         A focus of our information technology program is to leverage our
technology infrastructure and systems whenever appropriate to simplify and
become more efficient. All segments are now supported by enterprise financial,
human resource and e-mail systems.

ASSOCIATES

         The mission of the Human Resource department includes ensuring the
Company business plans, organization structure, talent development and bench
strength meet the Company's needs for associate effectiveness to improve quality
of work product, superior customer service, shareholder value and our profit.

         As of April 5, 2004, we had approximately 18,400 associates of which
9,000 were full-time and the balance were part-time. Approximately 1,400 of
these associates in 21 stores are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
We believe that, in general, we have satisfactory relations with all of our
associates.

         Group hospitalization, surgical, medical, vision, dental, disability
and life insurance benefits and a 401(k) plan are provided to full-time
non-union associates. We are a co-sponsor with SSC in these plans. We also
sponsor an associate stock purchase plan and a stock option plan for salaried
associates.

COMPETITION

         The retail industry is highly competitive. We compete with a variety of
conventional and discount retail stores, including national, regional and local
independent department and specialty stores, as well as with catalog operations,
on-line providers, factory outlet stores and other off-price stores. Our
operating entities - Value City, DSW and Filene's Basement - have different
target customers and different strategies, but each focus on the basic equation:
Value = Quality/Price.

         In the discount or off-price retailing segment, we differentiate
ourselves through our Value City store format and the breadth of our product
offering. Our large stores differ from most other off-price retailers that tend
to operate substantially smaller stores focusing predominantly on either hard or
soft goods. Our large stores enable us to offer a broad range of brands and
products.

         In addition, because we purchase much of our inventory
opportunistically, we compete for merchandise with other national and regional
off-price apparel and discount outlets. Many of our competitors handle identical
or similar lines of merchandise and have comparable locations, and some have
greater financial resources than we do.

         Competitive factors important to our customers include fashion, value,
merchandise selection, brand name recognition and, to a lesser degree, store
location. We compete primarily on the basis of value, merchandise quality and
selection. We believe our competitive advantages include: our reputation in the
marketplace for being able to purchase entire lots of merchandise; our ability
either to quickly distribute or to hold the merchandise for sale at the most
opportune time; our full-line merchandise and style offerings; and our broad
range of brand names.

         Our fastest growing brand, DSW, provides a varied selection of quality
shoes, convenience and value to its customers. The resulting benefits of this
unique selling proposition fuels the high satisfaction index customers attribute
to their DSW shopping experience. Our customers enjoy a friendly, warm shopping
atmosphere with ease of store navigation.

         Like Value City, Filene's Basement provides perceived high value by
offering easily recognized brand-name merchandise at surprisingly affordable
prices. Its niche, however, is the top-tier of the off-price retailing category
and its legendary sales events shape its image as having a special "cachet".

                                       12
<PAGE>

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

         Set forth in the following table are the locations of stores we
operated as of January 31, 2004:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Filene's
                           Value City            DSW           Basement            Total
                           ----------            ---           --------            -----
<S>                         <C>                  <C>           <C>                 <C>
Arizona                          -                 2                -                 2
California                       -                12                -                12
Colorado                         -                 4                -                 4
Connecticut                      -                 2                -                 2
Delaware                         3                 -                -                 3
Florida                          -                 8                -                 8
Georgia                          4                 6                1                11
Illinois                        16                 8                2                26
Indiana                          7                 3                -                10
Kansas                           -                 3                -                 3
Kentucky                         4                 -                -                 4
Maryland                         8                 4                -                12
Massachusetts                    -                 6                8                14
Michigan                         9                 8                -                17
Minnesota                        -                 4                -                 4
Missouri                         7                 2                -                 9
Nevada                           -                 2                -                 2
New Hampshire                    -                 1                -                 1
New Jersey                       7                 6                1                14
New York                         -                12                4                16
North Carolina                   1                 2                -                 3
Ohio                            23                11                1                35
Oklahoma                         -                 1                -                 1
Pennsylvania                    18                 9                1                28
Rhode Island                     -                 1                -                 1
Tennessee                        1                 3                -                 4
Texas                            -                12                -                12
Virginia                         4                 7                -                11
Washington D.C.                  -                 -                3                 3
West Virginia                    4                 -                -                 4
Wisconsin                        -                 3                -                 3
                           ----------            ---           --------            -----

                               116               142               21               279
                           ----------            ---           --------            -----
</TABLE>

         We maintain buying offices in Columbus, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts;
New York, New York and Los Angeles, California. We operate 7
warehouse/distribution complexes located in Columbus, Ohio and one distribution
facility in Auburn, Massachusetts. In addition, to expedite the flow of
merchandise to certain clusters of stores, we use third party processors and
utilize vendor direct shipments where such use is advantageous. Our executive
offices occupy approximately 45,000 square feet in a building which includes a
store and also serves as one of our apparel distribution centers.

         The stores and all of the warehouse, buying and executive office
facilities are leased or subleased except for one owned shoe store location. As
of January 31, 2004, we leased or subleased 36 stores and 6 warehouse facilities
and a parcel of land from SSC or entities affiliated with SSC. The remaining
stores and warehouses are leased from unrelated entities. Most of the store
leases provide for an annual rent based upon a percentage of gross sales, with a
specified minimum rent.

         Our warehouse and distribution facilities for our Value City, DSW and
Filene's Basement businesses are adequate for our current needs and we believe
that such facilities, with certain modifications and additional equipment, will
be adequate for our foreseeable future demands.

         We plan to consolidate corporate office functions for our Columbus,
Ohio based associates. Occupancy for the new leased corporate office facility is
scheduled for late 2004.

                                       13
<PAGE>

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

         None.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
        MATTERS.

         Our common shares are listed for trading under the ticker symbol "RVI"
on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth the high and low
sales prices of our Common Shares as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape during
the periods indicated. As of April 5, 2004, there were 532 holders of record of
our common shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               HIGH              LOW
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
Fiscal 2002:
   First Quarter                                              $4.62             $3.04
   Second Quarter                                              4.40              2.20
   Third Quarter                                               2.68              1.55
   Fourth Quarter                                              3.73              1.50

Fiscal 2003:
   First Quarter                                              $2.26             $1.48
   Second Quarter                                              3.25              1.90
   Third Quarter                                               5.88              2.02
   Fourth Quarter                                              6.30              4.10

Fiscal 2004:
   First Quarter (through April 5, 2004)                      $8.09             $5.02
</TABLE>

         We have paid no dividends and we do not anticipate paying cash
dividends on our common shares during fiscal 2004. Presently we expect that all
of our future earnings will be retained for development of our businesses. The
payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of
directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, operations,
capital requirements, our general financial condition and general business
conditions. The Company's credit facility restricts the payment of dividends by
the Company or any affiliate of the borrower or guarantor, other than dividends
paid in stock of the issuer or paid to another affiliate, and cash dividends can
only be paid to the Company by its subsidiaries up to the aggregate amount of
$5.0 million less the amount of any borrower advances made to the Company by any
subsidiaries. The Company credit facilities are more fully explained in Item 7 -
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations on page 17 of this Annual Report.

         In connection with our refinancing, we amended and restated our $75
million convertible loan on June 11, 2002. Pursuant to the terms of the
convertible loan, the lenders may, at their option, convert the convertible loan
into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of $4.50 per share, subject
to adjustment. We relied on the exemption from registration contained in Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this issuance.

         In connection with our refinancing, on September 26, 2002 we issued
warrants to purchase 2,954,792 shares of our common stock at $4.50 per share,
subject to adjustment. We relied on the exemption from registration contained in
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this issuance.

         The information required by this Item, other than the information set
forth above, is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy
Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 9,
2004.

                                       15
<PAGE>

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

         The following table sets forth for the periods indicated various
selected financial information. Such selected consolidated financial data should
be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Retail
Ventures, Inc. including the notes thereto, set forth in Item 8 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        For the Fiscal Year Ended
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1/31/04           2/1/03           2/2/02            2/3/01(1)         1/29/00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                       <C>               <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>
Net Sales (2)                             $2,594,206        $2,450,719       $2,283,878         $2,213,017       $1,670,176
Operating Profit (loss)                   $   28,401        $   30,583       $  (16,344)        $ (135,601)      $   65,788
(Loss) income before
   cumulative effect
   of accounting change                   $   (4,446)       $   (1,585)      $  (28,723)        $ (101,791)      $   33,468
Cumulative effect of
     accounting change                            --        $   (2,080)              --                 --               --
   Net (Loss) Income                      $   (4,446)       $   (3,665)      $  (28,723)        $ (101,791)      $   33,468
Basic (loss) earnings
   per share before
   cumulative effect of
   accounting change                      $    (0.13)       $   (0.05)       $    (0.85)        $    (3.03)      $     1.03
Cumulative effect of
   accounting change                              --        $   (0.06)               --                 --               --
Basic (loss) earnings
   per share                              $    (0.13)       $   (0.11)       $    (0.85)        $    (3.03)      $     1.03
Diluted (loss) Earnings
   per Share                              $    (0.13)       $   (0.11)       $    (0.85)        $    (3.03)      $     1.02
Total Assets                              $  863,945        $  831,799       $  880,311         $  908,009       $  744,181
Working Capital                           $  234,857        $  181,390       $  228,775         $  211,402       $  205,011
Current Ratio                                   1.89              1.60             1.79               1.66             1.82
Long-term Obligations                     $  326,940        $  264,664       $  337,199         $  326,449       $  144,168
Number of: (3)
    Value City Stores                            116               116              117                119              105
    DSW Stores                                   142               126              104                 78               58
    Filene's Basement Stores                      21                20               20                 19               --
Net Sales per Selling Sq. Ft. (4)         $      225        $      224       $      233         $      234       $      221
Comparable Sales Change (5)                      1.2%            (3.5)%            (2.4)%             (1.1)%            7.2%
</TABLE>

(1)  Fiscal 2000 includes 53 weeks; all other years contain 52 weeks.

(2)  Excludes sales of licensed departments. Effective February 2, 2002, we
     acquired the remaining 50% interest in a joint venture. Results of our
     percentage ownership in the joint venture are reflected in joint
     venture operations.

(3)  Includes all stores operating at the end of the fiscal year.

(4)  Presented in whole dollars and excludes licensed departments and stores
     not operated during the entire fiscal period.

(5)  Comparable Store Sales Change excludes licensed departments. A store is
     considered to be comparable if it is opened 14 months at the beginning
     of the fiscal year. For fiscal year 2000, comparable store sales are
     computed using like 52-week periods.

                                       16
<PAGE>

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS.

RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

         The following factors, among others, in some cases have affected the
matters discussed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations. These same factors could cause our future financial
performance in fiscal 2004 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed
or implied in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include:
decline in demand for our merchandise, our ability to achieve our business
plans, expected cash flow from operations, vendor and their factor relations,
flow of merchandise, compliance with our credit agreements, our ability to
strengthen our liquidity and increase our credit availability, the availability
of desirable store locations on suitable terms, changes in consumer spending
patterns, marketing strategies, consumer preferences and overall economic
conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, changes in weather patterns,
changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas, paper and printing
costs, the ability to hire and train associates and development of management
information systems.

         Our operations have been historically seasonal, with a disproportionate
amount of sales and a majority of net income occurring in the back-to-school and
Christmas selling seasons for Value City and Filene's Basement. DSW seasonal
sales occur both in early Spring and Fall. As a result of seasonality, any
factors negatively affecting us during these periods, including adverse weather,
the timing and level of markdowns or unfavorable economic conditions, could have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations
for the entire year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         Management's Discussion and Analysis discusses the results of
operations and financial condition as reflected in our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial
statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments,
including, but not limited to, those related to inventory valuation,
depreciation, amortization, recoverability of long-lived assets including
intangible assets, the calculation of retirement benefits, estimates for self
insurance reserves for health and welfare, workers' compensation and casualty
insurance, income taxes, contingencies, litigation and revenue recognition.
Management bases its estimates and judgments on its historical experience and
other relevant factors, the results of which form the basis for making judgments
about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. The process of determining significant estimates is
fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience,
current and expected economic conditions, product mix, and in some cases,
actuarial and appraisal techniques. We constantly re-evaluate these significant
factors and make adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate.

          While we believe that our historical experience and other factors
considered provide a meaningful basis for the accounting policies applied in the
preparation of the consolidated statements, we cannot guarantee that our
estimates and assumptions will be accurate. As the determination of these
estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results inevitably will
differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the
financial statements.

         We believe the following represent the most critical estimates and
assumptions, among others, used in the preparation of our consolidated financial
statements. We have discussed the selection, application and disclosure of the
critical accounting policies with our audit committee.

                  -        Revenue recognition. Revenues from our retail
                           operations are recognized at the latter of point of
                           sale or the delivery of goods to the customer. Retail
                           revenues are reduced by a provision for anticipated
                           returns based on historical trends.

                  -        Cost of sales and merchandise inventories. We use the
                           retail method of accounting for substantially all of
                           our merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories
                           are stated at the lower of cost, determined using the
                           first-in, first-out basis, or market, using the
                           retail inventory method. The retail method is widely
                           used in the retail industry due to its practicality.
                           Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of
                           inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins
                           are calculated by applying a calculated cost to
                           retail ratio to the retail value of inventories. The
                           cost of the inventory reflected on our consolidated
                           balance sheet is decreased by charges to cost of
                           sales at the time the retail value of the inventory
                           is lowered through the use of markdowns. Hence,
                           earnings are negatively impacted as merchandise is
                           marked down prior to sale. Reserves to value
                           inventory at the lower of cost or market were $34.2
                           million and $32.5 million at the end of fiscal 2003
                           and 2002, respectively.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                           Inherent in the calculation of inventories are
                           certain significant management judgments and
                           estimates including, setting the original merchandise
                           retail value or markon, markups of initial prices
                           established, reduction of pricing due to customer's
                           value perception or perceived value known as
                           markdowns, and estimates of losses between physical
                           inventory counts or shrinkage, which, combined with
                           the averaging process within the retail method, can
                           significantly impact the ending inventory valuation
                           at cost and the resulting gross margins.

                  -        Long-lived assets. In evaluating the fair value and
                           future benefits of long-lived assets, we perform an
                           analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future cash
                           flows of the related long-lived asset and reduce the
                           carrying value by the excess where the recorded value
                           exceeds the fair value.

                           During fiscal 2003, we recorded a $0.3 million charge
                           related to long-lived assets at store operating
                           units.

                           During fiscal 2002, we recorded two different charges
                           related to long-lived assets. The first charge was
                           for goodwill impairment as a result of the
                           implementation of SFAS 142, which requires that
                           goodwill no longer be amortized, but would be subject
                           to annual fair value based impairment tests. The
                           initial tests for goodwill impairment, as of February
                           3, 2002, resulted in a non-cash charge of $3.4
                           million, $2.1 million net of taxes, which is reported
                           in our Consolidated Statement of Operations as of
                           February 1, 2003 in the caption "Cumulative effect of
                           accounting change." Substantially all of the charge
                           relates to goodwill associated with our purchase of
                           Mazel's interest in VCM and is included in the net
                           loss for the year ended February 1, 2003. At the end
                           of the current fiscal year we have on our books $37.6
                           million of goodwill subject to annual testing. The
                           second charge of $0.6 million related to long-lived
                           assets at store operating units. The result of
                           reviewing undiscounted cash flows for stores under
                           SFAS 144, identified stores where the recorded value
                           of the asset exceeded the fair value.

                           We believe at this time that the long-lived assets'
                           carrying values and useful lives continue to be
                           appropriate. To the extent these future projections
                           or our strategies change, the conclusion regarding
                           impairment may differ from our current estimates.

                  -        Self-insurance reserves. We record estimates for
                           certain health and welfare, workers compensation and
                           casualty insurance costs that are self-insured
                           programs. These estimates are based on actuarial
                           assumptions and are subject to change based on actual
                           results. Should a greater amount of claims occur
                           compared to what was estimated for costs of certain
                           health and welfare, workers compensation and casualty
                           insurance increase beyond what was anticipated,
                           reserves recorded may not be sufficient and to the
                           extent actual results vary from assumptions, earnings
                           would be impacted.

                  -        Pension. The obligations and related assets of
                           defined benefit retirement plans are presented in
                           Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
                           Statements. Plan assets, which consist primarily of
                           marketable equity and debt instruments, are valued
                           using market quotations. Plan obligations and the
                           annual pension expense are determined by independent
                           actuaries and through the use of a number of
                           assumptions. Key assumptions in measuring the plan
                           obligations include the discount rate, the rate of
                           salary increases and the estimated future return on
                           plan assets. In determining the discount rate, we
                           utilize the yield on fixed-income investments
                           currently available with maturities corresponding to
                           the anticipated timing of the benefit payments.
                           Salary increase assumptions are based upon historical
                           experience and anticipated future management actions.
                           Asset returns are based upon the anticipated average
                           rate of earnings expected on the invested funds of
                           the plans. At January 31, 2004, the weighted-average
                           actuarial assumption of our plans were: discount rate
                           6.0%, assumed salary increases 4% and long-term rate
                           of return on plan assets 8%. To the extent actual
                           results vary from assumptions, earnings would be
                           impacted.

                  -        Customer loyalty program. We maintain a customer
                           loyalty program for our DSW operations in which
                           customers receive a future discount on qualifying
                           purchases. The "Reward Your Style" program is
                           designed to promote customer awareness and loyalty
                           plus provide the Company with the ability to
                           communicate with our customers and enhance our
                           understanding of their spending trends. Upon reaching
                           the target level, customers may redeem these
                           discounts on a future purchase. Generally, these
                           future discounts must be redeemed in one year. We
                           accrue the estimated costs of the anticipated
                           redemptions of the discount earned at the time of the
                           initial purchase and charge such costs to selling,
                           general and administrative expense based on
                           historical experience. The estimates of the costs
                           associated with the loyalty program require us to
                           make assumptions related to customer purchase levels
                           and redemption rates. The accrued liability as of
                           January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 was $3.0
                           million and $2.2 million, respectively. To the extent
                           assumptions of purchases and redemption rates vary
                           from actual results, earnings would be impacted.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  -        Income taxes. We do business in numerous
                           jurisdictions that impose taxes. Management is
                           required to determine the aggregate amount of income
                           tax expense to accrue and the amount which will be
                           currently payable based upon tax statutes of each
                           jurisdiction. The estimation process involves
                           adjusting income determined by the application of
                           generally accepted accounting principles for items
                           that are treated differently by the applicable taxing
                           authorities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
                           reflected on our balance sheet for temporary
                           differences that will reverse in subsequent years. If
                           different management judgments had been made, our tax
                           expense, assets and liabilities could be different.
                           During fiscal 2003, we established a reserve for
                           deferred income tax assets of $1.5 million for carry
                           forwards related to state and local net operating
                           losses and for excess contribution carry forwards.
                           See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements
                           on page F-20 of this Annual Report for a discussion
                           of our significant accounting policies.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         We operate three business segments. Value City and Filene's Basement
segments operate full-line, off-price department stores. Our DSW segment sells
better-branded off-price shoes and accessories. As of January 31, 2004, a total
of 116 Value City, 21 Filene's Basement and 142 DSW stores were open. The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage
relationships to net sales of the listed items included in our Consolidated
Statements of Operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      For the Year Ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1/31/04           2/1/03        2/2/02
                                                         52 Weeks          52 Weeks      52 Weeks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>           <C>
Net sales, excluding sales
  licensed departments                                    100.0%            100.0%         100.0%

Cost of sales                                             (61.4)            (61.8)         (62.6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                               38.6              38.2           37.4

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses                                 (37.7)            (37.3)         (38.9)

License fees and
  other income                                              0.2               0.3            0.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit (loss)                                     1.1               1.2           (0.7)

Interest expense, net                                      (1.3)             (1.3)          (1.3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before
 cumulative effect of accounting
 change and income taxes                                   (0.2)             (0.1)          (2.0)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes                         --                --            0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before cumulative
 effect of accounting change                               (0.2)             (0.1)          (1.3)

Cumulative effect of accounting
 change, net of income taxes                                 --              (0.1)            --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss                                                   (0.2)%            (0.2)%         (1.3)%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1,
2003

         Sales. Sales for the fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 2004 (fiscal
2003), increased by 5.9% to $2.59 billion from $2.45 billion in the fifty-two
week period of fiscal year 2002. By segment comparable store sales were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   2003         2002
                                                                                   ----         ----
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>
Value City Department Stores                                                      (0.7)%       (5.1)%
DSW                                                                                5.6%        (0.1)%
Filene's Basement                                                                  2.6%         0.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                              1.2%        (3.5)%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       19
<PAGE>

         Comparable store sales percentages were impacted negatively by
unseasonable weather in the early part of fiscal 2003 in all segments. All 116
Value City stores are in our comparative store base. Value City's non-apparel
comparable sales increased 2.1% for the twelve months and apparel comparable
sales declined 2.4% for the fiscal year. The children's apparel division had an
increase of 2.1%, while the men's and ladies' apparel divisions had comparable
sales declines of 4.6% and 2.4%, respectively. DSW comparable store sales
improved 5.6% as overall sales rose almost $143.7 million to $772.6 million for
the year. The DSW increase includes a net increase of 16 stores. Filene's
Basement sales rose $13.7 million to $316.9 million for the fiscal year.
Filene's Basement total stores increased due to a single opening during the
fiscal year.

         Gross profit. Consolidated gross profit increased $64.9 million from
$936.1 million to $1,001.0 million, and increased as a percentage of net sales
from 38.2% to 38.6%. Value City's gross profit decrease is primarily
attributable to lower average unit retail prices as a result of lower initial
markups during the year. Gross profit for our DSW and Filene's Basement segments
improved as the result of higher initial markups on merchandise purchases and a
reduction in markdowns. Gross profit, as a percent of sales by segment, was:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         2003          2002
                                                                         ----          ----
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>
Value City Department Stores                                             38.4%         38.9%
DSW                                                                      41.0%         39.4%
Filene's Basement                                                        33.4%         32.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                    38.6%         38.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         SG&A. For the year, consolidated selling, general and administrative
expenses ("SG&A") increased $65.3 million to $978.2 million or 37.7% of sales.
The year ended January 31, 2004 includes approximately $1.6 million for store
closings, a $16.7 million increase in advertising and $4.3 million in
pre-opening costs for new stores. New store openings in the period were limited
to our DSW and Filene's Basement segments. Preparations for opening a DSW store
or a Filene's Basement store generally take eight to ten weeks. Pre-opening
costs are expensed as incurred. It has been our experience that new stores for
each of our segments generally achieve profitability and contribute to net
income after the first full year of operations. Pre-opening expense for the 16
new DSW stores was $3.7 million in fiscal 2003 compared to $2.6 million for the
22 new stores opened in prior year. Pre-opening expense was $0.6 million in each
of fiscal 2003 and 2002 for the 1 new Filene's Basement store opened in each of
those periods. SG&A, as a percent of sales by segment, were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         2003          2002
                                                                         ----          ----
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>
Value City Department Stores                                             38.3%         37.9%
DSW                                                                      37.7%         37.2%
Filene's Basement                                                        34.9%         33.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                    37.7%         37.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         License fees and other income. Overall license fees and other income
decreased $1.8 million from $7.4 million to $5.6 million. License fees decreased
$0.8 million, or 29.1%, as a result of lower sales from licensees. Other income
decreased $1.0 million, or 21.6%, from $4.8 million to $3.7 million. Other
income is comprised of layaway fees and vending income. These sources of income
vary based on customer traffic and contractual arrangements.

         Operating profit. Operating profit was $28.4 million in fiscal 2003
compared to $30.6 million in fiscal 2002. As a percentage of net sales operating
profit was 1.1% and 1.2% in fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively.

         Interest expense. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
$2.1 million from $32.5 million in fiscal 2002 to $34.6 million in fiscal 2003
due primarily to an increase in average weighted borrowings and an increase in
the average weighted borrowing rate. Interest expense includes the amortization
of debt discount of $2.0 million.

                                       20
<PAGE>

FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 2003 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 2,
2002

         Sales. Sales for the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2003 (fiscal
2002), increased by 7.3% to $2.45 billion from $2.28 billion in the fifty-two
week period of fiscal 2001. By segment, comparable store sales were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          2002          2001
                                                                          ----          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
Value City Department Stores                                              (5.1)%       (3.7)%
DSW                                                                       (0.1)%        0.0%
Filene's Basement                                                          0.3%         2.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                     (3.5)%       (2.4)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The comparable store sales percentage declines were attributable to a
highly competitive and promotional retail environment and the effects of a
softening economy. Value City's non-apparel comparable sales decreased 3.8% and
apparel comparable sales declined 6.6% in fiscal 2002. The ladies's, men's and
children's apparel divisions represented approximately 58% of total retail sales
for fiscal 2002. Sales declines in these divisions were 2.7%, 9.9% and 8.4%,
respectively. DSW reflected a slightly negative comparable store rate as overall
sales rose almost $119.6 million to $629.0 million for the year. The DSW
increase in fiscal 2002 included a net increase of 22 stores. The Filene's
Basement segment's sales increased $9.8 million to $303.2 million for fiscal
2002 including a slight increase in comparative store sale percentage. Filene's
Basement total stores opened remained unchanged due to a single opening and a
single closing during the fiscal year.

         Gross profit. Consolidated gross profit increased $81.7 million from
$854.4 million to $936.1 million, and increased as a percentage of net sales
from 37.4% to 38.2%. The Value City segment's gross profit improvement is
primarily the result of improved initial merchandise costs negotiated with
vendors and higher retail offering in our stores. Additionally, Value City
increased control over inventory quantities and markdowns and reduced the loss
associated with shrink from the prior year. Gross profit for our DSW segment
improved as a result of higher initial markups on merchandise purchases and a
reduction in markdowns. Our Filene's Basement segment's gross profit was
negatively affected by early and excess markdowns required to sell and reduce
inventories. Gross profit, as a percent of sales by segment, was:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         2002         2001
                                                                         ----         ----
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
Value City Department Stores                                             38.9%        37.6%
DSW                                                                      39.4%        38.2%
Filene's Basement                                                        32.2%        35.1%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                    38.2%        37.4%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         SG&A. For the year, consolidated selling, general and administrative
expenses ("SG&A") increased $24.2 million to $912.9 million or 37.3% of sales.
Our fifty-two week period ended February 1, 2003 includes approximately $0.6
million for FASB 144 write-off, $3.3 million related to write-off of unamortized
debt costs, $1.1 million for store closings, $6.0 million for severance costs
related to workforce reductions during the year and the relocation of our Value
City merchandising office from Boston to New York. The relocation of the Value
City buyers from Boston to New York City provides merchants with a closer
proximity to our markets and vendors. In addition, we evaluated stores with
negative or inadequate cash flows to determine if any assets were impaired. New
store openings in the period were limited to our DSW and Filene's Basement
segments. Preparations for opening a DSW store or a Filene's Basement store
generally take eight to ten weeks. Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred.
It has been our experience that new stores for each of our segments generally
achieve profitability and contribute to net income after the first full year of
operations. No Value City stores were opened less than twelve months during
fiscal 2002. Twenty-two DSW stores were opened less than twelve months in fiscal
2002 and had a pre-tax net operating loss of $2.6 million, including $2.6
million of pre-opening expenses. Twenty-six DSW stores were opened less than
twelve months during fiscal 2001 and had a pre-tax net operating loss of $2.5
million, including $0.1 million of pre-opening expenses. Filene's Basement had
one store opened less than twelve months in fiscal 2002 with a pre-tax net
operating profit of $0.1 million, including $0.6 million of pre-opening
expenses. SG&A as a percent of sales by segment were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         2002         2001
                                                                         ----         ----
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
Value City Department Stores                                             37.9%        40.6%
DSW                                                                      37.2%        37.4%
Filene's Basement                                                        33.9%        32.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                    37.3%        38.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>

         License fees and other income. Overall license fees and other income
decreased $10.6 million in fiscal 2002. License fees decreased $9.6 million, or
78.5%, from $12.2 million to $2.6 million, as a result of lower sales from
unrelated licensees. Fees from the VCM joint venture of $9.7 million in fiscal
2001, did not occur in fiscal 2002 because the operations were consolidated in
fiscal 2002 as a result of the purchase of our partner's 50% interest in the VCM
joint venture at the close of business on February 2, 2002. Other income
decreased $0.9 million, or 16.8%, from $5.7 million to $4.8 million. Other
income is comprised of layaway fees and vending income. These sources of income
vary based on customer traffic and contractual arrangements.

         Operating profit. Operating profit increased to $30.6 million in fiscal
2002 from a loss of $16.3 million in fiscal 2001, and increased as a percentage
of net sales from a loss of 0.7% in fiscal 2001 to a profit of 1.2% in fiscal
2002.

         Interest expense. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
$4.0 million from $28.5 million to $32.5 million due primarily to an increase in
interest rates as a result of new term debt, offset partially by a decrease in
average borrowings. Interest expense also included amortization of debt discount
of $1.3 million.

         Equity in loss of joint venture. Equity in loss of joint venture in
fiscal 2001 of $0.4 million was the result of operations in the VCM joint
venture with Mazel. We acquired Mazel's interest in VCM at the close of business
February 2, 2002 and have included the operations of these departments in the
consolidated statements presented.

         Cumulative effect of accounting change. We also implemented a new
accounting principle during fiscal 2002 resulting in the impairment of goodwill.
The charge for the application of the new principle was $2.1 million net of tax,
or 0.1% of sales. We retained a valuation professional to assist in the
calculation of impairment. Our initial test was performed as of the beginning of
the fiscal year while our annual test occurred in the middle of the fourth
quarter. Goodwill will be subject to annual impairment tests and results of such
tests cannot be predicted.

SEASONALITY

         Our business is affected by the pattern of seasonality common to most
retail businesses. Historically, the majority of our sales and operating profit
have been generated during the back-to-school and Christmas selling seasons for
our Value City segment and, more recently, our Filene's Basement segment. The
shoe business experiences increased sales in both early Spring and Fall seasons
in relationship to the change in footwear desired by the DSW customer.

FISCAL YEAR

         We follow a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday nearest to
January 31. Fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001 each contain 52 weeks.

INCOME TAXES

         Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 was 27.9% versus 17.0% for
fiscal 2002. The effective tax benefits are negatively impacted due to the
increase in non-deductible expenses for tax purposes associated with the
amortization of the warrants issued in connection with our long term debt.
During our fiscal year ended January 31, 2004, we established a valuation
allowance for our deferred tax assets of $1.5 million. The reserve reflects a
reduction in the estimated amount for future tax deductions, primarily for state
and local taxes and excess contribution carry forwards.

         Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2002 was 17.0% versus 36.5% for
fiscal 2001. There was an increase in the effective tax rate primarily due to
the increase in non-deductible expenses for tax purposes and the fluctuation in
taxable income. However, that increase was then off-set by the tax effect of the
write-off of financing costs.

ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

         The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") periodically issues
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS"), some of which require
implementation by a date falling within or after the close of the fiscal year.

         In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations." SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and
reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived
assets and the associated asset retirement costs. Under this Statement,
obligations that meet the definition of a liability will be recognized
consistently with the retirement of the associated tangible long-lived assets.
This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2002. We assessed the impact of SFAS No. 143 and there
was none.

         In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections." SFAS No. 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15,
2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have a significant effect on the
Company's results of operations or its financial position. However, it

                                       22
<PAGE>

did require that the Company reclassify the loss on the extinguishment of debt
of approximately $3.3 million from extraordinary loss to selling, general and
administrative expense, in the Company's consolidated financial statement of
operations in fiscal 2002.

         In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"), which requires the consolidation of
certain entities considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs"). An entity
is considered to be a VIE when it has equity investors who lack the
characteristics of having a controlling financial interest, or its capital is
insufficient to permit it to finance its activities without additional
subordinated financial support. Consolidation of a VIE by an investor is
required when it is determined that the investor will absorb a majority of the
VIE's expected losses or residual returns if they occur. FIN 46 provides certain
exceptions to these rules, relating to qualifying special purpose entities
("QSPE's") subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 140. Upon its original
issuance, FIN 46 required that VIEs created after January 31, 2003 would be
consolidated immediately, while VIEs created prior to February 1, 2003 were to
be consolidated as of July 1, 2003.

         In October 2003, the FASB deferred the effective date for consolidation
of VIEs created prior to February 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003 for calendar
year-end companies, with earlier application encouraged.

         In December 2003, the FASB published a revision to FIN 46 ("FIN 46R")
to clarify some of the provisions of the original interpretation and to exempt
certain entities from its requirements. FIN 46R provides special effective date
provisions to enterprises that fully or partially applied to FIN 46 prior to the
issuance of the revised interpretation. In particular, entities that have
already adopted FIN 46 are not required to adopt FIN 46R until the quarterly
reporting period ended May 1, 2004. The Company is currently reviewing the
provisions of FIN 46R and will adopt FIN 46R for the quarterly reporting period
ending May 1, 2004.

         In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity". SFAS
No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within
its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances), many of which were
previously classified as equity. This statement was effective for financial
instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and for pre-existing
instruments as of the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June
15, 2003. Initial adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a
material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

         The FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 02-16,
"Accounting By A Customer (Including A Reseller) For Cash Consideration Received
From A Vendor" addressed the accounting treatment for vendor allowances. The
adoption of EITF Issue No. 02-16 in 2003 did not have a material impact on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.

INFLATION

         The results of operations and financial condition are presented based
upon historical cost. While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of
inflation because of the nature of the estimates required, management believes
that the effect of inflation, if any, on the results of operations and financial
condition has been minor; however, there can be no assurance that the business
will not be affected by inflation in the future.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Our primary ongoing cash requirements are for seasonal and new store
inventory purchases, capital expenditures in connection with expansion and
remodeling and infrastructure growth, primarily information technology
development. The primary sources of funds for these liquidity needs are cash
flow from operations and credit facilities. Our working capital and inventory
levels typically build throughout the fall, peaking during the holiday selling
season.

         Net working capital was $234.9 million and $181.4 million at January
31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. Current ratios at those dates were
1.9 and 1.6, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled
$6.2 million and $90.3 million in fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively. The net
cash decrease is reflective of several items, primarily the increase in
inventory of $30.5 million, the reduction in accounts payable of $13.9 million
and the reduction of accrued expenses of $23.7 million, which were funded from
operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The increases in
inventories for new stores were: $13.8 million for DSW, $5.6 million for
licensed departments and $2.1 million for the opening of Filene's Basement.

         Cash used for capital expenditures was $68.7 million and $41.8 million
for fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively. During fiscal 2003, capital expenditures
included $16.2 million for new stores, $29.2 million for improvements in
existing stores, $5.7 million for office, warehousing and operations of our shoe
business and $17.6 million for MIS equipment upgrades and new systems. A source
of cash from investing activity was proceeds from lease incentives which are
amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the life of the lease.

         On June 11, 2002, Value City Department Stores, Inc., together with
certain other principal subsidiaries of Retail Ventures, Inc., entered into a
$525.0 million refinancing that consists of three separate credit facilities
(collectively, the "Credit Facilities"): (i) a three-year $350.0 million
revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), (ii) two $50.0
million term loan facilities provided equally by Cerberus Partners, L.P. and
Schottenstein Stores Corporation (the "Term Loans"), and (iii) an amended and
re-

                                       23
<PAGE>

stated $75.0 million senior subordinated convertible loan, initially entered
into by us on March 15, 2000, which is held equally by Cerberus Partners, L.P.
and SSC (the "Convertible Loan"). These Credit Facilities are guaranteed by
Retail Ventures, Inc. and substantially all of its subsidiaries.

         We are not subject to any financial covenants under these credit
facilities, however, there are numerous restrictive covenants relating to our
management and operation. These non-financial covenants include, among other
restrictions, limitations on indebtedness, guarantees, mergers, acquisitions,
fundamental corporate changes, financial reporting requirements, budget
approval, disposition of assets, investments, loans and advances, liens,
dividends, stock purchases, transactions with affiliates, issuance of securities
and the payment of and modification to debt instruments. These Credit Facilities
are also subject to an Intercreditor Agreement, which provides for an
established order of payment of obligations from the proceeds of collateral upon
default (the "Intercreditor Agreement").

         $350 Million Revolving Credit Facility

         Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the borrowing base formula is
structured in a manner that allows us and our subsidiaries availability based on
the value of inventories and receivables. Primary security for the Revolving
Credit Facility is provided by a first priority lien on all of our inventory and
accounts receivable, as well as certain intercompany notes and payment
intangibles. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Facility also has a second priority perfected interest in all of the collateral
securing the Term Loans. Interest on borrowings is calculated at the bank's base
rate or Eurodollar rate plus 2.00% to 2.75%, depending upon the level of average
excess availability we maintain. The maturity date is June 11, 2005. At January
31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, $137.7 million and $169.3 million were available,
respectively, under the Revolving Credit Facility. Direct borrowings aggregated
$125.0 million and $64.0 million for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002, respectively,
while $23.4 million and $19.2 million letters of credit were issued and
outstanding for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002, respectively.

         $100 Million Term Loans - Related Parties

         The Term Loans are comprised of a $50.0 million Term Loan B and a $50.0
million Term Loan C. All obligations under the Term Loans are senior debt and,
subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, have the same rights and privileges as
the Revolving Credit Facility and the Convertible Loan. We and our principal
subsidiaries are obligated on the facility. The maturity date is June 11, 2005.

         The Term Loans' stated rate of interest per annum during the initial
two years is 14% if paid in cash and 15% if we elect a paid-in-kind ("PIK")
option. During the first two years of the Term Loans, we may pay all interest in
PIK. During the final year of the Term Loans, the stated rate of interest is
15.0% if paid in cash or 15.5% if PIK, and the PIK option is limited to 50% of
the interest due. For the years ended January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, we
elected to pay interest in cash.

         We issued 2,954,792 warrants ("Warrants") to purchase shares of common
stock, at an initial exercise price of $4.50 per share, to the Term Loan C
Lenders. The Warrants are exercisable at any time prior to June 11, 2012. We
have granted the Term Loan C Lenders registration rights with respect to the
shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The $6.1 million value ascribed
to the Warrants was estimated as of the date of issuance using the Black-Scholes
Pricing Model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.6%;
expected life of 10 years; expected volatility of 47%; illiquidity discount of
10%; and an expected dividend yield of 0%. The related debt discount is
amortized into interest expense over the life of the debt.

         The number of shares issuable varies upon the occurrence of the
following: (i) the issuance of additional shares of common stock without
consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Warrant exercise
price; (ii) the declaration of any dividend; (iii) the combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of common stock into a lesser number of
shares; (iv) the issuance or sale of additional shares at a price per share less
than the current market price but greater than the Warrant exercise price; (v)
the issuance of convertible securities which are convertible into shares of
common stock; and/or (vi) the exchange of shares in a merger or other business
combination.

         $75 Million Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan - Related Parties

         We have amended and restated our $75.0 million Convertible Loan dated
March 15, 2000. As amended, borrowings under the Convertible Loan will bear
interest at 10% per annum. At our option, interest may be PIK during the first
two years, and thereafter, at our option, up to 50% of the interest due may be
PIK until maturity. PIK interest accrued with respect to the convertible loan is
added to the outstanding principal balance, on a quarterly basis, and is payable
in cash upon the maturity of the debt. The Convertible Loan is guaranteed by all
principal subsidiaries and is secured by a lien on assets junior to liens
granted in favor of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans. The
Convertible Loan is not prepayable until June 11, 2007, and has a maturity date
of June 10, 2009. The agent has the right to designate two observers to our
Board of Directors for so long as the agent is the beneficial owner of at least
50% of the advances initially made by it and has the right to designate two
individuals to our Board of Directors for so long as the agent is the beneficial
owner of at least 50% of the conversion shares issued or issuable upon
conversion of the advances initially made by it.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         The Convertible Loan is convertible at the option of the holders into
shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $4.50. The
conversion price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified
events.

         Achievement of expected cash flows from operations and compliance with
the restrictive covenants of our credit agreements (see Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements) are dependent upon a number of factors,
including the attainment of sales, gross profit, expense levels, vendor
relations, and flow of merchandise that are consistent with our financial
projections. Future limitations of credit availability by factor organizations
and/or vendors will restrict our ability to obtain merchandise and services and
may impair operating results. Although operating results for fiscal 2003 were
negative, we believe that cash generated by operations, along with the available
proceeds from our credit agreements and other sources of financing, will be
sufficient to meet our obligations for working capital, capital expenditures,
and debt service requirements. However, there is no assurance that we will be
able to meet our projections. Further, there is no assurance that extended
financing will be available in the future if we fail to meet our projections or
on terms acceptable to us.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

         We have the following minimum commitments under contractual
obligations, as defined by the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A
"purchase obligation" is defined as an agreement to purchase goods or services
that is enforceable and legally binding on us and that specifies all significant
terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or
variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Other
long-term liabilities are defined as long-term liabilities that are reflected on
our balance sheet under generally accepting accounting principles of the United
States of America. Based on this definition, the tables below include only those
contracts, which include fixed or minimum obligations. It does not include
normal purchases, which are made in the ordinary course of business.

         The following table provides aggregated information about contractual
obligations and other long-term liabilities as of January 31, 2004 (dollars in
thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Payments due by period
                                                                                                                   No
                                                           Less than         1-3        3-5       More than     Expiration
        Contractual Obligations                  Total      1 year          years      years       5 years         Date
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
Long-term debt                              $  300,000     $125,000       $100,000         --      $ 75,000            --
Capital lease and
   operating lease obligations               1,235,982      138,421        269,201   $236,742       591,618            --
Pension benefit obligations                     10,018       10,018             --         --            --            --
Construction commitments (1)                     5,024        5,024             --         --            --            --
Purchase obligations (2)                        32,986       15,221          6,191      6,090         5,484            --
                                            ----------     --------       --------   --------      --------     ---------
Total                                       $1,584,010     $293,684       $375,392   $242,832      $672,102            --
                                            ==========     ========       ========   ========      ========     =========
</TABLE>

1.       Construction commitments include capital items to be purchased for
         projects that were under construction, or for which a lease had been
         signed, as of January 31, 2004.

2.       Many of our purchase commitments are cancelable by us without payment
         or penalty, and we have excluded such commitments, along with all
         associate employment and intercompany commitments.

         We have outstanding letters of credit and stand-by letters of credit
that total approximately $23.4 million at January 31, 2004. If certain
conditions are met under the arrangement, we would be required to satisfy the
obligations in cash. Due to the nature of these arrangements and based on
historical experience, we do not expect to make any significant payment outside
of terms set forth in these arrangements.

         Additional information regarding our financial commitment as of January
31, 2004 is provided in the Notes to Consolidated Statements. See "Notes to
Consolidated Statements, Note 4 - Long-Term Obligations and Notes Payable
beginning on page F-14 and Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies" beginning on
page F-20.

ACQUISITIONS

         Effective at the close of business on February 2, 2002, we acquired our
partner's interest in VCM for $8.4 million. We now own 100% of VCM and operate
the health and beauty care, toy, sporting goods and food departments in our
Value City stores. This acquisition was funded by cash from operations and a
portion of the proceeds from the credit agreement.

                                       25
<PAGE>

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

         It is not our intention to participate in transactions that generate
relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships such as
special purpose entities ("SPEs") or variable interest entities ("VIEs"), which
would facilitate off balance sheet arrangements or other limited purposes. As of
January 31, 2004, we are in the process of reviewing our related party leases to
ensure we are not involved in any unconsolidated SPEs or VIEs as defined in Item
303 (a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

         We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, which may
adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations, we manage
exposures through our regular operating and financing activities and, when
deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We do
not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and are
not party to any leveraged financial instruments.

         We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily through our borrowings
under our Revolving Credit Facility. At January 31, 2004, direct borrowings
aggregated $125.0 million. The Revolving Credit Facility permits debt
commitments up to $350.0 million, matures on June 11, 2005 and generally bears
interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 2.0% to 2.75% based on the average
excess availability during the previous quarter. We have used interest rate swap
agreements to effectively establish long-term fixed rates on borrowings under
the Revolving Credit Facility, thus reducing a portion of our interest rate
risk. These swap agreements, which are designated as cash flow hedges, involve
the receipt of variable rate amounts in exchange for fixed rate interest
payments over the life of the agreements. At January 31, 2004, we had no
outstanding swap agreements.

         A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates, net of
taxes, would have an approximate $1.2 million impact to our financial position,
liquidity and results of operation.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

         Our financial statements and financial statement schedule and the
Independent Auditors' Report thereon are filed pursuant to this Item 8 and are
included in this report beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

         None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

         The Company, under the supervision, and with the participation, of its
management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
performed an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as
contemplated by Securities Exchange Act rule 13a-15. Based on that evaluation,
the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded, as
of the end of the period covered by this report, that such disclosures and
procedures were effective.

         No change was made in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially
affected, or is reasonable likely to affect, the Company's internal control over
financial reporting.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The following persons are executive officers of the Company. Our
officers of the Company are elected annually by our Board and serve at the
pleasure of the Board.

         JOHN C. ROSSLER, age 56, was elected our President in February 2002. In
March 2002, Mr. Rossler became our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr.
Rossler has served as President of Shonac Corporation and DSW Shoe Warehouse
since December 2000. Mr. Rossler has held various positions with DSW and Shonac
since 1982, including Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Shonac/DSW, Mr. Rossler was the
managing partner of the Columbus office of Alexander Grant/Grant Thornton
International where he was employed for 16 years.

         EDWIN J. KOZLOWSKI, age 55, was elected our Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer in February 2002. Mr. Kozlowski was elected Chief
Financial Officer of Shonac Corporation and DSW Shoe Warehouse in May 2001.
Prior to that time Mr. Kozlowski served in various positions with General
Nutrition Companies, Inc. since 1978, including Chief Operating Officer of the
retail division of General Nutrition Centers, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller of GNCI and GNI.

         JAMES A. McGRADY, age 53, became our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
and Secretary in July 2000. Prior to that time, Mr. McGrady served as Vice
President and Treasurer of Consolidated Stores Corporation beginning in 1986.
From 1979 through 1986, Mr. McGrady was in the practice of public accounting
with KPMG Main Hurdman.

         JULIA A. DAVIS, age 43, became our Executive Vice President and General
Counsel in January 2003. Prior to that time, Ms. Davis was a partner in the
Columbus office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. Ms. Davis has 17 years
of private legal practice primarily representing and advising national and
regional retailers in a wide variety of employment matters.

         STEVEN E. MILLER, age 45, became our Senior Vice President Controller
in 2003 after joining the Company in September 2000 as its Vice President
Controller. Prior to that time, Mr. Miller served as Chief Financial Officer of
Spitzer Management, Inc. beginning in 1998. From 1993 through 1998, Mr. Miller
held various positions with Consolidated Stores Corporation including Director,
Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Controller.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

         The Company's Board of Directors has determined that Harvey L.
Sonnenberg is an audit committee financial expert as such term is defined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.

         The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Harvey L. Sonnenberg
(Chair) and James L. Weisman and Ms. Elizabeth M. Eveillard. The Board of
Directors has affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Sonnenberg and
Weisman, and Ms. Eveillard is an independent member of the Audit Committee in
accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

CODE OF ETHICS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

         The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of its
directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or
persons performing similar functions, and an additional code of ethics that
applies to senior financial officers. These codes of ethics, designated as the
"Code of Conduct" and the "Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers,"
respectively by the Company, can be found on the Company's investor website at
www.valuecity.com. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement
under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, any
applicable provision (related to elements listed under Item 406(b) of Regulation
S-K) of the "Code of Conduct" or the "Code of Ethics for Senior Financial
Officers" that applies to the Company's directors, principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or
persons performing similar functions by posting such information on the
Company's website at www.valuecity.com. The Company has adopted a code of ethics
that applies to all senior financial officers. This code of ethics, designated
as the "Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers" by the Company, can be
found on the Company's investor website at www.valuecity.com.

         The Board of Directors has adopted and approved Corporate Governance
Principles and written charters for its Nominating and Corporate Governance,
Audit and Compensation Committees. In addition, the Audit Committee has adopted
a written Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy with respect to audit and
non-audit services to be performed by the Company's independent public

                                       27
<PAGE>

accountants. All of the forgoing documents are available on the Company's
investor website at www.valuecity.com and a copy of the foregoing will be made
available (without charge) to any shareholder upon request.

OTHER

         The information required by this Item, other than the information set
forth above, is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy
Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 9,
2004.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The information required by this Item is contained in the Company's
Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
June 9, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
However, no information set forth in the Company's 2004 Proxy Statement
regarding the Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation or
the performance graph shall be incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
         RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

         The information required by this Item is contained in the Company's
Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
June 9, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         The information required by this Item is contained in the Company's
Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
June 9, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

           The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by
reference from the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on June 9, 2004.

                                       28
<PAGE>

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

15(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The documents listed below are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page in
                                                                                                               Form 10-K
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
             Independent Auditors' Report                                                                         F-1

             Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003                                 F-2

             Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
                  January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002                                         F-3

             Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
                  January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002                                         F-4

             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
                  January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002                                         F-5

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                           F-6


15(a)(2) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

         The schedule listed below is filed as part of this Form 10-K:

             Schedule II.  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                                      S-1
</TABLE>

         Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the
conditions under which they are required or because the required information is
included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

15(a)(3) EXHIBITS:

         See Index to Exhibits which begins on page E-1.

15(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on December 8, 2003, relating to
the press release announcing the Company's consolidated financial results for
the quarter ended November 1, 2003. A copy of the press release was attached to
the filing.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                 RETAIL VENTURES, INC.

Date: April 29, 2004             By: *
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     (James A. McGrady, Executive Vice
                                     President, Chief Financial Officer,
                                     Treasurer and Secretary)

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                                                             TITLE                                     DATE
---------                                                             -----                                     ----
<S>                                                      <C>                                               <C>
                  *                                      Chairman of the Board of Directors                April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Jay L. Schottenstein

                  *                                      President and Chief Executive Officer             April 29, 2004
------------------------------------                     (Principal Executive Officer)
John C. Rossler
                  *                                      Executive Vice President, Chief Financial         April 29, 2004
------------------------------------                     Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
James A. McGrady                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Henry L. Aaron

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Ari Deshe

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Jon P. Diamond

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Elizabeth M. Eveillard

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
Harvey L. Sonnenberg

                  *                                      Director                                          April 29, 2004
------------------------------------
James L. Weisman
</TABLE>

*By: /s/ James A. McGrady
     -------------------------------------
     James A. McGrady, (Attorney-in-fact)

                                       30
<PAGE>

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Retail Ventures, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Retail Ventures,
Inc. (formerly known as Value City Department Stores, Inc., and a majority owned
subsidiary of Schottenstein Stores Corporation) and its wholly owned
subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for the years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2,
2002. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the
Index as Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement
schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement
schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Retail Ventures, Inc. and its
wholly owned subsidiaries as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended January 31,
2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our
opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in the notes to the financial statements, the Company adopted
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets," effective February 3, 2002.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
-------------------------
Deloitte & Touche LLP

Columbus, Ohio
April 27, 2004

                                       F-1
<PAGE>

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003
                      (in thousands, except share amounts)
                                     ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1/31/04                 2/1/03
                                                                 -------                 ------
<S>                                                             <C>                      <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash and equivalents                                         $  14,226                $ 11,059
   Accounts receivable, net                                         8,969                  10,666
   Receivables from related parties                                   137                     933
   Inventories                                                    420,338                 389,825
   Prepaid expenses and other assets                               10,651                  19,354
   Deferred income taxes                                           44,933                  51,317
                                                                ---------                --------
      TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                        499,254                 483,154

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST:
   Furniture, fixtures and equipment                              293,081                 254,467
   Leasehold improvements                                         234,719                 210,825
   Land and building                                                  801                     801
   Capital leases                                                  37,423                  37,423
                                                                ---------                --------
                                                                  566,024                 503,516
   Accumulated depreciation and amortization                     (314,206)               (270,064)
                                                                ---------                --------
      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                                 251,818                 233,452

GOODWILL                                                           37,619                  37,619
TRADENAMES AND OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET                              43,638                  47,583
OTHER ASSETS                                                       31,616                  29,991
                                                                ---------                --------
      TOTAL ASSETS                                              $ 863,945                $831,799
                                                                =========                ========

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Accounts payable                                             $ 147,771                $160,809
   Accounts payable to related parties                              3,335                   4,228
   Accrued expenses:
     Compensation                                                  31,777                  29,173
     Taxes                                                         42,066                  42,401
     Other                                                         38,707                  64,344
   Current maturities of long-term obligations                        741                     809
                                                                ---------              ----------
      TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                   264,397                 301,764

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES
     Non-related                                                  154,724                  94,473
     Related parties                                              172,216                 170,191
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES                                       55,841                  44,207
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                                           -                       -

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Common shares, without par value;
     80,000,000 authorized; issued, including
     treasury shares, 33,990,707 shares and
     33,913,374 shares, respectively                              143,077                 143,183
   Warrants                                                         6,074                   6,074
   Retained earnings                                               74,321                  78,767
   Deferred compensation expense, net                                (635)                   (981)
   Treasury shares at cost, 7,651 shares                              (59)                    (59)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                            (6,011)                 (5,820)
                                                                ---------               ---------
      TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                  216,767                 221,164
                                                                ---------               ---------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                $ 863,945               $ 831,799
                                                                =========               =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-2
<PAGE>

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               Years Ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and
                                February 2, 2002
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    For                  For                     For
                                                                 the Year             the Year                the Year
                                                                   Ended                Ended                   Ended
                                                                  1/31/04              2/1/03                  2/2/02
                                                                 52 Weeks             52 Weeks                52 Weeks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Net sales, excluding sales of
    licensed departments                                        $ 2,594,206           $ 2,450,719           $ 2,283,878
Cost of sales                                                    (1,593,214)           (1,514,629)           (1,429,455)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                                      1,000,992               936,090               854,423

Selling, general and
    administrative expenses                                        (978,201)             (912,912)             (888,734)
License fees and other income                                         5,610                 7,405                17,967
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit (loss)                                              28,401                30,583               (16,344)

Interest expense, net
    Non-related                                                      (9,718)              (14,909)              (20,289)
    Related parties                                                 (24,847)              (17,584)               (8,221)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before equity in loss of
    joint venture, cumulative effect
    of accounting change and income taxes                            (6,164)               (1,910)              (44,854)
Equity in loss of joint venture                                           -                     -                  (406)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before cumulative
    effect of accounting change
    and income taxes                                                 (6,164)               (1,910)              (45,260)
Benefit for income taxes                                              1,718                   325                16,537
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before cumulative effect
    of accounting change                                             (4,446)               (1,585)              (28,723)
Cumulative effect of accounting
    change, net of income taxes                                           -                (2,080)                    -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loss                                                    $    (4,446)          $    (3,665)          $   (28,723)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Loss before cumulative effect
    of accounting change                                        $     (0.13)          $     (0.05)          $     (0.85)
Cumulative effect of accounting
    change, net of income taxes                                           -                 (0.06)                  -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loss                                                    $     (0.13)          $     (0.11)          $     (0.85)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic                                                                33,753                33,665                33,610
Diluted                                                              33,753                33,665                33,610
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-3
<PAGE>

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
                              SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
       Years Ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Number of Shares
                                    ----------------                                                          Accumulated
                                          Common                                       Deferred                  Other
                                Common    Shares      Common              Retained   Compensation  Treasury  Comprehensive
                                Shares  in Treasury   Shares    Warrants  Earnings      Expense     Shares        Loss       Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>     <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>       <C>           <C>
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 3, 2001       34,331       8       $ 145,659             $111,155   $    (6,448)  $   (59)               $250,307

   Net loss                                                                 (28,723)                                       (28,723)
   Net unrealized loss
     on derivative financial
     instruments, net of income
     tax benefit of $1,731                                                                                    $  (2,595)     (2,595)
   Minimum pension liability,
     net of income tax benefit
      of  $647                                                                                                     (971)       (971)
                                                                                                                           --------
     Total comprehensive loss                                                                                               (32,289)
                                                                                                                           --------
   Exercise of stock options       108                     782                                                                 782
   Net issuance/forfeitures of
     restricted shares            (211)                   (669)                              (517)                           (1,186)
   Amortization of deferred
     compensation expense                                                                   2,815                             2,815
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 2, 2002       34,228        8        145,772               82,432        (4,150)      (59)     (3,566)    220,429

   Net loss                                                                  (3,665)                                         (3,665)
   Net unrealized gain
     on derivative financial
     instruments, net of income
     tax provision of $1,316                                                                                      1,974       1,974
   Minimum pension liability,
     net of income tax benefit
        of  $2,819                                                                                               (4,228)     (4,228)
                                                                                                                           --------
     Total comprehensive loss                                                                                                (5,919)
                                                                                                                           --------
   Warrants issued                                              $  6,074                                                      6,074
   Net issuance/forfeitures of
     restricted shares            (315)                 (2,589)                             2,589
   Amortization of deferred
     compensation expense                                                                     580                               580
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 1, 2003       33,913       8         143,183     6,074     78,767          (981)      (59)     (5,820)     221,164

   Net loss                                                                  (4,446)                                         (4,446)
   Net unrealized gain
     on derivative financial
     instruments, net of income
     tax provision of $413                                                                                         620          620
   Minimum pension liability,
     net of income tax benefit
        of  $541                                                                                                  (811)        (811)
                                                                                                                             ------
     Total comprehensive loss                                                                                                (4,637)
                                                                                                                             ------
   Exercise of stock options        20                      60                                                                   60
   Net issuance/forfeitures of
      restricted shares             58                    (166)                               166                                --
   Amortization of deferred
     compensation expense                                                                     180                               180
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, JANUARY 31, 2004       33,991       8       $ 143,077  $  6,074  $  74,321   $      (635)  $   (59)  $  (6,011)   $216,767
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-4
<PAGE>

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
      Years Ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Year                  Year               Year
                                                                     Ended                 Ended              Ended
                                                                    1/31/04               2/1/03             2/2/02
                                                                   52 Weeks              52 Weeks           52 Weeks
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                    <C>                  <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Net loss                                                    $    (4,446)           $   (3,665)          $ (28,723)
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
      net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
        Cumulative effect of accounting change                            -                 2,080                   -
        Amortization of discount on debt                              2,025                 1,266                   -
        Amortization of deferred compensation                           180                   580               2,815
        Depreciation and amortization                                57,009                60,301              54,267
        Deferred income taxes and other noncurrent liabilities        3,875                11,450             (22,530)
        Equity in loss of joint venture                                   -                     -                 406
        Loss on disposal of assets                                    1,594                 3,603               4,937
        Change in working capital, assets and liabilities:
          Receivables                                                 2,493                (4,044)             54,228
          Inventories                                               (30,513)                7,005              18,790
          Prepaid expenses and other assets                          11,546                  (101)              9,243
          Accounts payable                                          (13,931)                6,264             (45,832)
          Accrued expenses                                          (23,658)                5,547               1,116
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                             6,174                90,286              48,717
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Capital expenditures                                            (68,701)              (41,784)            (40,244)
    Proceeds from sale of assets                                         43                   184                  73
    Acquisitions, net of cash received                                    -                     -              (8,375)
    Other assets and acquisitions                                       (25)                    -                   -
    Proceeds from lease incentives                                    5,433                 7,246              14,248
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                               (63,250)              (34,354)            (34,298)
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments of long-term obligations:
    Related party note                                                    -               (20,000)                  -
    Capital lease obligations and other debt                           (817)                 (583)               (555)
Proceeds from related party note                                          -               100,000                   -
Net increase (decrease) in revolving credit facility                 61,000              (147,000)             10,707
Proceeds from issuance of common shares                                  60                     -                 782
Debt issuance costs                                                       -               (13,205)                  -
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                  60,243               (80,788)             10,934
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------

NET  INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS                      3,167               (24,856)             25,353
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR                              11,059                35,915              10,562
                                                                -----------            ----------           ---------
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR                               $    14,226            $   11,059           $  35,915
                                                                ===========            ==========           =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-5
<PAGE>

                    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         BUSINESS OPERATIONS

         Retail Ventures, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries are herein
         referred to collectively as the Company. The Company operates three
         segments. Value City Department Stores ("Value City") and Filene's
         Basement, Inc. ("Filene's Basement") segments operate full-line,
         off-price department stores. The DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc. ("DSW")
         segment sells better-branded off-price shoes and accessories. As of
         January 31, 2004, there is a total of 116 Value City Department Stores
         located principally in the Midwestern, Eastern and Southern states, 142
         DSW stores located throughout the United States and 21 Filene's
         Basement stores located primarily in major metropolitan areas.

         On October 8, 2003, the Company reorganized its corporate structure
         into a holding company form whereby Retail Ventures, Inc., an Ohio
         corporation, became the successor issuer to Value City Department
         Stores, Inc. As a result of the reorganization, Value City Department
         Stores, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc.

         In connection with the reorganization, holders of common shares of
         Value City became holders of an identical number of common shares of
         Retail Ventures, Inc. The reorganization was affected by a merger which
         was previously approved by the Company's shareholders. Since October 8,
         2003, the Company's common shares have been listed for trading under
         the ticker symbol "RVI" on the New York Stock Exchange.

         PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

         The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Retail
         Ventures, Inc. and its wholly subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts
         and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. To facilitate
         comparisons with the current year, certain reclassifications have been
         made to prior year financial statements and notes to conform with
         current year presentation.

         FISCAL YEAR

         The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31.
         Fiscal year 2003, 2002 and 2001 each contain 52 weeks. Unless otherwise
         stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years
         rather than calendar years.

         USE OF ESTIMATES

         The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
         accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
         and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
         liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
         date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and
         expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are
         required as a part of inventory valuation, depreciation, amortization,
         recoverability of long-lived assets, establishing reserves for
         insurance and calculating retirement benefits. Although these estimates
         are based on management's knowledge of current events and actions it
         may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from these
         estimates.

         CASH AND EQUIVALENTS

         Cash and equivalents represent cash and highly liquid investments with
         original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to
         be cash equivalents.

         ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

         Accounts receivable is classified as current as the collection period
         is generally less than one year. The allowance for doubtful accounts
         was $0.8 million and $0.9 million for fiscal years 2003 and 2002,
         respectively.

         INVENTORIES

         Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined
         using the first-in, first-out basis, or market using the retail
         inventory method. The retail method is widely used in the retail
         industry due to its practicality. Under the retail inventory method,
         the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins
         are calculated by applying a calculated cost to retail ratio to the
         retail value of inventories. The cost of the inventory reflected on the
         consoli-

                                       F-6
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         dated balance sheet is decreased by charges to cost of sales at the
         time the retail value of the inventory is lowered through the use of
         markdowns. Hence, earnings are negatively impacted as the merchandise
         is marked down prior to sale. Reserves to value inventory at the lower
         of cost or market were $34.2 million and $32.5 million at the end of
         fiscal year 2003 and 2002, respectively.

         PRE-OPENING EXPENSES

         Pre-opening costs associated with the opening of new stores are
         expensed as incurred. Pre-opening costs expensed were $5.0 million,
         $3.2 million and $4.4 million for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001,
         respectively.

         INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE

         Effective at the close of business on February 2, 2002, the Company
         acquired Mazel's interest in VCM, Ltd. ("VCM") for $8.4 million. The
         balance sheet for VCM has been consolidated in these statements for the
         balance sheets presented. VCM operated the health and beauty care,
         food, toy, and sporting goods departments in the Company's stores as
         licensed departments. VCM was a 50/50 joint venture with Mazel. The
         Company accounted for its fifty percent interest in the joint venture
         under the equity method. The equity in loss of joint venture was $0.4
         million in fiscal year 2001.

         PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

         Depreciation and amortization are recognized principally on the
         straight-line method in amounts adequate to amortize costs over the
         estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements
         are amortized over the shorter of their useful lives or lease term. The
         estimated useful lives by class of asset are:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
Buildings .................................................       31 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment..........................  3 to 10 years

Leasehold improvements.....................................       10 years
</TABLE>

         ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

         The Company must periodically evaluate the carrying amount of its
         long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, and finite life
         intangible assets when events and circumstances warrant such a review
         to ascertain if any assets have been impaired. The carrying amount of a
         long-lived asset is considered impaired when the carrying value of the
         asset exceeds the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without
         interest) from the asset. The Company reviews are conducted down at the
         lowest identifiable level, which include a store. The impairment loss
         recognized is the excess of the carrying value, based on discounted
         future cash flows, of the asset over its fair value. The impairment
         loss is included in selling, general and administrative expense. Based
         on recent analysis, the Company expensed $0.3 million and $0.6 million
         in fiscal year 2003 and 2002, respectively, of identified stores assets
         where the recorded value could not be supported by cash flows. The
         balance of goodwill associated with the Gramex acquisition in November
         1999 of $1.5 million was charged to selling, general and administrative
         expense in the year ended February 2, 2002.

         GOODWILL

         Goodwill represents the excess cost over the estimated fair values of
         net assets including identifiable intangible assets of businesses
         acquired. The Company, as a result of adoption of Statement of
         Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, will no longer record
         goodwill amortization.

         The initial result of testing for goodwill for impairment in accordance
         with SFAS 142, as of February 3, 2002, was a non-cash charge of $3.4
         million, $2.1 million net of taxes, which is reported in Consolidated
         Statement of Operations as of February 1, 2003 in the caption
         "Cumulative effect of accounting change." Substantially all of the
         charge relates to goodwill associated with the Company's purchase of
         Mazel's interest in VCM and is included in the net loss for the year
         ended February 1, 2003. At January 31, 2004, the Company had $37.6
         million of goodwill subject to annual testing.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The proforma effect of ceasing amortization of goodwill under SFAS 142
         is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Year ended
                                             -----------------------------------------------------
                                                   1/31/04              2/1/03              2/2/02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Reported net loss                            $      (4,446)      $      (3,665)      $     (28,723)
Add back goodwill amortization                          --                  --               3,283
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted net loss                            $      (4,446)      $      (3,665)      $     (25,440)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic and diluted loss per share             $       (0.13)      $       (0.11)      $       (0.76)
</TABLE>

         TRADENAMES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

         Tradenames and other intangibles assets are comprised of values
         assigned to names the Company acquired and leases acquired. The
         accumulated amortization for these assets is $17.8 million and $13.8
         million at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. The
         asset value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets is as
         follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Filene's
                                             Value City          DSW            Basement           Total
                                           -------------    -------------     ------------      -----------
<S>                                        <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>
As of January 31, 2004
 Tradenames:
   Gross amount                            $      1,145     $      12,750     $      9,900      $     23,795
   Accumulated amortization                        (433)           (4,887)          (2,585)           (7,905)
   Useful life (in years)                            15                15               15

 Favorable lease values:
   Gross amount                            $     14,417     $         140     $     23,057      $     37,614
   Accumulated amortization                      (4,513)              (60)          (5,293)           (9,866)
   Average useful life (in years)                    25                14               21

As of February 1, 2003
 Tradenames:
   Gross amount                            $      1,120     $      12,750     $      9,900      $     23,770
   Accumulated amortization                        (355)           (4,038)          (1,925)           (6,318)
   Useful life (in years)                            15                15               15

 Favorable lease values:
   Gross amount                            $     14,417     $         140     $     23,057      $     37,614
   Accumulated amortization                      (3,908)              (51)          (3,524)           (7,483)
   Average useful life (in years)                    25                14               20
</TABLE>

         Aggregate amortization expense for the current and each of the five
         succeeding years is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Filene's
Fiscal Year                  Value City          DSW            Basement             Total
-----------                  ----------     ----------        -----------       -----------
<S>                          <C>            <C>               <C>               <C>
   2003                      $   683        $     858         $   2,429         $   3,970
   2004                          681              864             2,428             3,973
   2005                          681              864             2,428             3,973
   2006                          681              861             2,428             3,970
   2007                          681              854             2,428             3,963
   2008                          677              854             2,428             3,959
</TABLE>

                                       F-8
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         VENDOR ALLOWANCES

         Vendor allowances include allowances, rebates and cooperative
         advertising funds received from vendors. These funds are determined for
         each fiscal year and the majority are based on various quantitive
         contract terms. Amounts expected to be received from vendors relating
         to the purchase of merchandise inventories are recognized as a
         reduction of cost of goods sold as the merchandise is sold. Amounts
         that represent a reimbursement of costs incurred, such as advertising,
         are recorded as a reduction to the related expense in the period that
         the related expense is incurred. The Company records an estimate of
         earned allowances based on the latest projected purchase volumes and
         advertising forecasts. On an annual basis, the Company confirms earned
         allowances with vendors to determine the amounts are recorded in
         accordance with the terms of the contract. At January 31, 2004 and
         February 1, 2003, the Company had a vendor allowance balance of less
         than $100,000.

         REVENUE RECOGNITION

         Sales of merchandise and services are net of returns and allowances and
         exclude sales tax. Revenue from gift certificates is deferred and the
         revenue is recognized upon redemption of the gift certificate. Layaway
         sales are recognized when the merchandise has been paid for in full.

         CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM

         The Company maintains a customer loyalty program for its DSW operations
         in which customers receive a future discount on qualifying purchases.
         The "Reward Your Style" (RYS) is designed to promote customer awareness
         and loyalty plus to provide the Company with ability to communicate
         with its customers. Upon reaching the target level, customers may
         redeem these discounts on a future purchase. Generally these future
         discounts must be redeemed within one year. The Company accrues the
         estimated costs of the anticipated redemptions of the discount earned
         at the time of the initial purchase and charges such costs to selling,
         general and administrative expense based on historical experience. The
         estimates of the costs associated with the loyalty program require the
         Company to make assumptions related to customer purchase levels and
         redemption rates. The accrued liability as of January 31, 2004 and
         February 1, 2003 are $3.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

         VALUATION ACCOUNTS

         Reserves used for severance for the period ended January 31, 2004, are
         as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Severance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Balance, February 2, 2002                                       $   5,357
Provisions to establish reserves                                    5,950
Charges/payments                                                   (7,311)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, February 1, 2003                                       $   3,996
Provisions to establish reserves
Charges/payments                                                   (3,996)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, January 31, 2004                                              --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         ADVERTISING EXPENSE

         The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. During fiscal year
         2003, 2002 and 2001, advertising expense was $110.8 million, $94.1
         million and $83.2 million, respectively.

         DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to establish
         long-term fixed rates associated with borrowings. The Company does not
         hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
         The Company does not have derivative financial instruments that are
         held or issued and accounted for as hedges of anticipated transactions.
         Amounts currently due to or from interest swap counter parties are
         recorded in interest expense in the period in which they accrue.

                                       F-9
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         EARNINGS PER SHARE

         Basic earnings per share is based on a simple weighted average of
         common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the
         potential dilution of common shares, related to both outstanding stock
         options and warrants, calculated using the treasury stock method and
         convertible debt calculated using the if-converted method. For the
         years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002 all
         potentially dilutive instruments were anti-dilutive. The numerator for
         the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is net (loss)
         income. The denominator is the weighted average shares outstanding.

         STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

         The Company has various stock-based employee compensation plans that
         are described more fully in Note 8. The Company accounts for those
         plans in accordance with APB No. 25. "Accounting For Stock Issued to
         Employees," and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee
         compensation cost is reflected in net loss, as no options granted under
         those plans had an exercise price less than the market value of the
         underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The following table
         illustrates the effect on net loss and loss per share if the Company
         had applied the fair value recognition of SFAS 123, "Accounting For
         Stock-Based Compensation."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
                                                    1/31/04                2/1/03                2/2/02
                                                    -------                ------                ------
<S>                                                 <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Net loss, as reported                               $(4,446)              $(3,665)             $(28,723)
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
    compensation expense determined
    under fair value based method for
    all awards                                      $(5,341)              $(4,999)             $ (1,508)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net loss                                  $(9,787)              $(8,664)             $(30,231)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
    Basic and diluted as reported                   $ (0.13)              $ (0.11)             $  (0.85)
    Basic and diluted pro forma                     $ (0.29)              $ (0.26)             $  (0.90)
</TABLE>

         To determine the pro forma amounts, the fair value of each stock option
         has been estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
         option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions
         used for grants in the fiscal year 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively:
         expected volatility of 71.1%, 83.4% and 100.4%; dividend yield of 0.0%;
         risk-free interest rates of 4.1%, 2.6% and 4.7%; and, expected lives of
         8.4, 7.6 and 7.3 years. The weighted average fair value of options
         granted in the fiscal year 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $1.48, $2.54 and
         $6.32, respectively.

         Consistent with SFAS No. 123, pro-forma net loss and loss per share
         have not been calculated for options granted prior to July 30, 1995.
         Pro forma disclosures may not be representative of that to be expected
         in future years.

         COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

         Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business
         enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and
         circumstances from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity
         during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and
         distributions to owners. The difference between net loss for fiscal
         year 2003 and 2002 relate to the change in minimum pension liability
         and the net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments
         for cash flow hedges. The Company presents other comprehensive loss in
         its consolidated statements of shareholders' equity.

         RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

         The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") periodically issues
         Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS"), some of which
         require implementation by a date falling within or after the close of
         the fiscal year.

         In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
         Retirement Obligations." SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting
         and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of
         tangible long-lived assets

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         and the associated asset retirement costs. Under this Statement,
         obligations that meet the definition of a liability will be recognized
         consistently with the retirement of the associated tangible long-lived
         assets. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for
         fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company assessed the
         impact of SFAS No. 143 and there was none.

         In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
         Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and
         Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 145 is effective for fiscal years
         beginning after May 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have
         a significant effect on the Company's results of operations or its
         financial position. However, for the year ended February 1, 2003, the
         Company reclassified the loss on the extinguishment of debt of
         approximately $3.3 million from extraordinary loss to selling, general
         and administrative expense, in the Company's consolidated financial
         statement of operations.

         In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation
         of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46), which requires the
         consolidation of certain entities considered to be variable interest
         entities (VIEs). An entity is considered to be a VIE when it has equity
         investors who lack the characteristics of having a controlling
         financial interest, or its capital is insufficient to permit it to
         finance its activities without additional subordinated financial
         support. Consolidation of a VIE by an investor is required when it is
         determined that the investor will absorb a majority of the VIE's
         expected losses or residual returns if they occur. FIN 46 provides
         certain exceptions to these rules, relating to qualifying special
         purpose entities (QSPE's) subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 140.
         Upon its original issuance, FIN 46 required that VIEs created after
         January 31, 2003 would be consolidated immediately, while VIEs created
         prior to February 1, 2003 were to be consolidated as of July 1, 2003.

         In October 2003, the FASB deferred the effective date for consolidation
         of VIEs created prior to February 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003 for
         calendar year-end companies, with earlier application encouraged.

         In December 2003, the FASB published a revision to FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to
         clarify some of the provisions of the original interpretation and to
         exempt certain entities from its requirements. FIN 46R provides special
         effective date provisions to enterprises that fully or partially
         applied to FIN 46 prior to the issuance of the revised interpretation.
         In particular, entities that have already adopted FIN 46 are not
         required to adopt FIN 46R until the quarterly reporting period ended
         May 1, 2004. The Company is currently reviewing the provisions of FIN
         46R and will adopt FIN 46R for the quarterly reporting period ending
         May 1, 2004.

         In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
         Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and
         Equity". SFAS No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial
         instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some
         circumstances), many of which were previously classified as equity.
         This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or
         modified after May 31, 2003 and for pre-existing instruments as of the
         beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003.
         Initial adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a
         material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

         The FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 02-16,
         "Accounting By A Customer (Including A Reseller) For Cash Consideration
         Received From A Vendor" addressed the accounting treatment for vendor
         allowances. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 02-16 in 2003 did not have a
         material impact on the Company's financial position or results of
         operations.

2.       RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

         The Company purchases merchandise from and sells merchandise to
         affiliates of Schottenstein Stores Corporation ("SSC"), direct owner of
         approximately 53.0% of the Company's common shares, and VCM prior to
         February 2, 2002. The related party transactions are as follows (in
         thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>               <C>
Purchases of merchandise
   from affiliates                                                $18,494          $13,238           $16,396
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-11
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         Sales by licensed departments and the related license fees earned are
         as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>            <C>
VCM
   Sales                                                             --                --          $136,153
   License fees                                                      --                --          $  9,698
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The Company also leases certain store and warehouse locations owned by
         SSC as described in Note 3.

         Accounts receivable from and payable to affiliates principally result
         from commercial transactions with entities owned or controlled by SSC
         or intercompany transactions with SSC. Settlement of affiliate
         receivables and payables are in the form of cash. These transactions
         settle normally in 30 to 60 days.

         The Company shares certain personnel, administrative and service costs
         with SSC and its affiliates. The costs of providing these services are
         allocated among the Company, SSC and its affiliates without a premium.
         The allocated amounts are not significant. SSC does not charge the
         Company for general corporate management services. In the opinion of
         the Company and SSC management, the aforementioned charges are
         reasonable.

         The Company participates in SSC's self-insurance program for general
         liability, casualty loss and certain state workers' compensation
         programs. The Company expensed $1.1 million, $11.9 million and $12.3
         million in fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, for such
         coverage. Estimates for self-insured programs are determined by
         independent actuaries based on actuarial assumptions, which incorporate
         historical incurred claims and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims.

         The Company also makes contributions to a private charitable foundation
         controlled by SSC. During fiscal year 2002 the Company expensed $1.7
         million of contributions. During fiscal year 2003 and 2001 no
         contributions were recorded.

         Cerberus Partners, L.P. as a beneficial owner of approximately 22.0% of
         the outstanding shares, is also a related party.

         See Footnotes 3, 4 and 5 for additional related party disclosures.

3.       LEASES

         The Company leases stores and warehouses under various arrangements
         with related and unrelated parties. Such leases expire through 2024 and
         in most cases provide for renewal options. Generally, the Company is
         required to pay real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and
         contingent rentals based on sales in excess of specified levels.

         The Company has several leasing agreements with SSC and affiliates.
         Under a Master Lease Agreement, as amended, the Company leases 5 store
         locations owned by SSC, and also leases or subleases from SSC or
         affiliates of SSC 31 store locations, 6 warehouse facilities and a
         parcel of land for an annual minimum rent of $21.8 million and
         additional contingent rents based on aggregate sales in excess of
         specified sales trends for the store locations. Leases and subleases
         with related parties are for initial periods generally ranging from
         five to twenty years, provide for renewal options and require the
         Company to pay real estate taxes, maintenance and insurance.

         SSC operates a chain of furniture stores, five of which operate in
         separate space subleased from the Company at five of its store
         locations. Three of these furniture store subleases (the "Furniture
         Subleases") are for a term concurrent with the respective lease between
         the Company and a third party landlord. These Furniture Subleases
         provide for the payment by SSC of base rent and other charges in
         amounts at least equal to its pro rata share based on square footage
         and its pro rata share of any percentage rent based on its gross sales.
         Two additional furniture store subleases are for periods shorter than
         the Company's lease. SSC paid to the Company pursuant to these
         subleases the following (in thousands):

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Year Ended
                                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                             1/31/04                  2/1/03          2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                      <C>             <C>
Minimum rentals:                                              $1,132                  $1,076          $1,056

Contingent rentals:                                              263                     341             320
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                         $1,395                  $1,417          $1,376
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The Company incurred no new capital lease obligations in 2003 and 2002
         to obtain store facilities. The total cost of assets held under capital
         leases at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 was $37.4 million.
         Assets held under capital leases are amortized over the terms of the
         related leases. The accumulated amortization for these assets was $7.4
         million and $5.8 million at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003,
         respectively.

         Future minimum lease payments required under the aforementioned leases,
         exclusive of real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, at
         January 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Operating Leases
                                   ---------------------------------------------------
Fiscal                                                  Unrelated             Related            Capital
 Year                                  Total              Party                Party              Leases
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                <C>                  <C>                  <C>                 <C>
2004                               $   134,894          $  112,873           $  22,021           $  3,526
2005                                   134,713             112,466              22,247              3,438
2006                                   127,613             105,774              21,839              3,438
2007                                   119,039              97,985              21,054              3,515
2008                                   110,618              90,659              19,959              3,571
Future Years                           543,297             411,864             131,433             48,320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum
  lease payments                   $ 1,170,174          $  931,621           $ 238,553           $ 65,808
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less amount representing interest                                                                 (35,543)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of minimum lease payments                                                            30,265
Less current portion                                                                                 (491)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term portion                                                                          $ 29,774
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The composition of rental expense (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                 -------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03          2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>               <C>
Minimum rentals:
   Unrelated parties                                             $103,925         $101,221          $ 90,569
   Related parties                                                 21,837           19,539            15,363

Contingent rentals:
   Unrelated parties                                               15,735            3,975             4,414
   Related parties                                                    156              208             2,128
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                            $141,653         $124,943          $112,474
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         Many of the Company's leases contain fixed escalations of the minimum
         annual lease payments during the original term of the lease. For these
         leases, the Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis
         and records the difference between the average rental amount charged to
         expense and the amount payable under the lease as deferred rent. At the
         end of fiscal 2003 and 2002, the balance of deferred rent was $16.7
         million and $13.3 million, respectively, and is included in other
         noncurrent liabilities. Certain store and warehouse leases provided
         landlord incentives totaling $31.1 million and $22.4 million in fiscal
         2003 and 2002, respectively. These incentives are recorded as long

                                      F-13
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         term-liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and are
         amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the remaining minimum
         lease term.

4.       LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS AND NOTES PAYABLE

         Long-term obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>
Credit facilities:
   Revolving credit facility                                                      $125,000          $ 64,000
   Term loans - related parties                                                    100,000           100,000
   Discount on term loan - related parties                                          (2,784)           (4,809)
   Senior subordinated convertible loan - related parties                           75,000            75,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   297,216           234,191
Capital lease obligations                                                           30,265            30,851
Other                                                                                  200               431
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   327,681           265,473
Less current maturities                                                               (741)             (809)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  $326,940          $264,664
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letters of Credit Outstanding                                                     $ 23,353          $ 19,163
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Availability under revolving credit facility                                      $137,690          $169,343
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accrued interest to related parties                                               $    628          $  3,233
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         At January 31, 2004, Value City Department Stores, Inc., together with
         certain other subsidiaries of the Company, had $525.0 million of
         financing that consists of three separate credit facilities
         (collectively, the "Credit Facilities"): (i) a three-year $350.0
         million revolving credit facility, (ii) two $50.0 million term loan
         facilities provided equally by Cerberus Partners, L.P. and
         Schottenstein Stores Corporation ("SSC"), and (iii) an amended and
         restated $75.0 million senior subordinated convertible loan facility,
         initially entered into by the Company on March 15, 2000, which is held
         equally by Cerberus Partners, L.P. and SSC. These Credit Facilities are
         guaranteed by the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries.

         The Company is not subject to any financial covenants; however, the
         Credit Facilities contain numerous restrictive covenants relating to
         the Company's management and operation. These non-financial covenants
         include, among other restrictions, limitations on indebtedness,
         guarantees, mergers, acquisitions, fundamental corporate changes,
         financial reporting requirements, budget approval, disposition of
         assets, investments, loans and advances, liens, dividends, stock
         purchases, transactions with affiliates, issuance of securities and the
         payment of and modifications to debt instruments under these
         agreements. These Credit Facilities are also subject to an
         Intercreditor Agreement which provides for an established order of
         payment of obligations from the proceeds of collateral upon default
         (the "Intercreditor Agreement").

         The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $3.3 million as a
         result of the debt financing. This loss represents the balance of
         unamortized deferred loan fees as of June 11, 2002.

         $350 Million Revolving Credit Facility

         Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the borrowing base formula is
         structured in a manner that allows the Company and its subsidiaries
         availability based on the value of their inventories and receivables.
         Primary security for the facility is provided by a first priority lien
         on all of the inventory and accounts receivable of the Company, as well
         as certain intercompany notes and payment intangibles. Subject to the
         Intercreditor Agreement, the facility also has a second priority
         perfected interest in all of the collateral securing the Term Loans.
         Interest on borrowings is calculated at the bank's base rate plus 0.0%
         to 0.5% or Eurodollar rate plus 2.00% to 2.75%, depending upon the
         level of average excess availability the Company maintains. The
         maturity date is June 11, 2005.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         $100 Million Term Loans - Related Parties

         The Term Loans are comprised of a $50.0 million Term Loan B and a $50.0
         million Term Loan C. All obligations under the Term Loans are senior
         debt and, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, have the same rights
         and privileges as the Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior
         Subordinated Convertible Loan. The Company and its principal
         subsidiaries are obligated on the facility. The maturity date is June
         11, 2005.

         The Term Loans stated rate of interest per annum through June 11, 2004
         is 14% if paid in cash and 15% if the Company elects a paid-in-kind
         ("PIK") option. During the first two years of this facility, the
         Company may elect to pay all interest in PIK. During the final year of
         the Term Loans, the stated rate of interest is 15.0% if paid in cash or
         15.5% by PIK and the PIK option is limited to 50% of the interest due.
         For the years ended January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 the Company
         elected to pay interest in cash.

         The Company issued 2,954,792 warrants ("Warrants") to purchase shares
         of common stock, at an initial exercise price of $4.50 per share, to
         the Term Loan C Lenders. The Warrants are exercisable at any time prior
         to June 11, 2012. The Company has granted the Term Loan C Lenders
         registration rights with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise
         of the Warrants. The $6.1 million value ascribed to the Warrants was
         estimated as of the date of issuance using the Black-Scholes pricing
         model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.6%;
         expected life of 10 years; expected volatility of 47%; illiquidity
         discount of 10%; and an expected dividend yield of 0%. The related debt
         discount is amortized into interest expense over the life of the debt.

         The number of shares issuable varies upon the occurrence of the
         following: (i) the issuance of additional shares of common stock
         without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the
         Warrant exercise price; (ii) the declaration of any dividend; (iii) the
         combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of common stock
         into a lesser number of shares; (iv) the issuance or sale of additional
         shares at a price per share less than the current market price but
         greater than the Warrant exercise price; (v) the issuance of
         convertible securities which are convertible into shares of common
         stock; and/or (vi) the exchange of shares in a merger or other business
         combination.

         $75 Million Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan - Related Parties

         The Company has amended and restated its $75.0 million Senior
         Subordinated Convertible Loan Agreement on June 11, 2002 ("the
         "Convertible Loan"). As amended, borrowings under the convertible loan
         will bear interest at 10% per annum. At the Company's option, interest
         may be PIK from the closing date to the second anniversary thereof, and
         thereafter, at the option of the Company, up to 50% of the interest due
         may be PIK until maturity. PIK interest accrued with respect to the
         convertible loan is added to the outstanding principal balance, on a
         quarterly basis and is payable in cash upon the maturity of the debt.
         The convertible loan is guaranteed by all principal subsidiaries and is
         secured by a lien on assets junior to liens granted in favor of the
         Lenders on the Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loans. The
         Convertible Loan is not subject to prepayment for five years from the
         closing date. The agent has the right to designate two observers to the
         Board of Directors for so long as the agent is the beneficial owner of
         at least 50% of the advances initially made by it and has the right to
         designate two individuals to the Board of Directors for so long as the
         agent is the beneficial owner of at least 50% of the conversion shares
         issued or issuable upon conversion of the advances initially made by
         it.

         The Convertible Loan is convertible at the option of the holders into
         shares of Retail Ventures, Inc. common stock has a conversion price of
         $4.50. The maturity date is June 10, 2009.

         OTHER DEBT ITEMS

         Effective February 4, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133,
         Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as
         amended. Under SFAS No. 133, all derivative instruments are required to
         be recorded on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at
         fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the
         changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item
         attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the
         derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of
         the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other
         comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in the income statement
         when the hedge item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes
         in the fair value of cash flow hedges and financial instruments not
         designated as hedges are recognized in earnings.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The Company utilized an interest rate swap agreement to effectively
         establish long-term fixed rates on borrowings under the Credit
         Agreement, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future
         income. These swap agreements, which were designated as cash flow
         hedges, involved the receipt of variable rate amounts in exchange for
         fixed rate interest payments over the life of the agreements. The fair
         value of the Company's interest rate swap agreements in the Company's
         consolidated balance sheet at February 1, 2003 was a $1.4 million
         current liability and had a fixed interest rate of 6.99%. The Company
         had outstanding swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $75.0
         million for the fiscal year ended 2002. The Company's swap agreement
         expired April 2003.

         The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Company's
         credit facilities during fiscal year 2003, 2002 and 2001 was 8.4%, 7.8%
         and 8.6%, respectively.

         The book value of notes payable and long-term debt approximates fair
         value at January 31, 2004. The carrying amount of the revolving line of
         credit approximates fair value as a result of the variable rate-based
         borrowings. The carrying amount of the term loan and subordinated debt
         also approximates fair value, as this was the available financing in
         the marketplace during the fiscal year.

         On June 11, 2002, the Company refinanced its previous financing
         arrangement and recorded $3.3 million loss in extinguishment of debt
         resulting from the write-off of deferred financing costs. This
         write-off is included in selling, general and administrative expense.

5.       PENSION BENEFIT PLANS

         The Company has three qualified defined benefit pension plans ("plans")
         assumed at the time of acquisition of three separate companies. The
         Company's funding policy is to contribute annually the amount required
         to meet ERISA funding standards and to provide not only for benefits
         attributed to service to date but also for those anticipated to be
         earned in the future. The Company uses a January 31 measurement date
         for its plans.

         The following provides a reconciliation of projected benefit
         obligations, plan assets and funded status of all plans as of January
         31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                   -------------------------
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
Change in projected benefit obligation:
    Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year                              $20,691           $18,662
    Service cost                                                                        35                29
    Interest cost                                                                    1,292             1,280
    Benefits paid                                                                     (952)             (941)
    Actuarial loss                                                                   3,327             1,808
    Other                                                                               --              (147)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation at end of year                                         24,393            20,691
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in plan assets:
    Fair market value at beginning of year                                          15,269            17,681
    Actual (loss) return on plan assets                                              2,932            (1,306)
    Employer contributions                                                           1,320               350
    Benefits paid                                                                     (952)             (941)
    Other                                                                             (199)             (515)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair market value at end of year                                                    18,370            15,269
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Funded status                                                                   (6,023)           (5,422)
    Unrecognized actuarial loss                                                     10,378             9,094
    Unrecognized transition obligation                                                (260)             (334)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Accrued benefit cost                                                           $ 4,095           $ 3,338
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-16
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consisted of (in
         thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Year Ended
                                                                                  --------------------------
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
Accrued benefit cost                                                               $(5,923)          $(5,329)
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                              10,018             8,667
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized                                                              $ 4,095           $ 3,338
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The plan's accumulated benefit obligation was $24.3 million at January
         31, 2004, and $20.6 million at February 1, 2003.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                  --------------------------
                                                                                         (in thousands)
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>                <C>
Projected benefit obligation                                                        24,393            20,691
Accumulated benefit obligation                                                      24,293            20,598
Fair value of plan assets                                                           18,369            15,269
</TABLE>

         The components of net periodic benefit cost are comprised of the
         following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>               <C>
Service cost                                                      $    35          $    29           $    32
Interest cost                                                       1,292            1,280             1,244
Expected return on plan assets                                     (1,286)          (1,453)           (1,573)
Amortization of transition (asset) obligation                         (75)             (75)              (83)
Amortization of prior-service cost                                     --               (8)              (19)
Amortization of net loss                                              596              198                60
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic benefit cost                                         $   562          $   (29)          $  (339)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The amount included within other comprehensive income arising from a
         change in the additional minimum pension liability, net of income tax,
         was $1.4 million at January 31, 2004, $3.7 million at February 1, 2003
         and $1.1 million at February 2, 2002.

         Assumptions used in each year of the actuarial computations were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                   ------------------------
                                                                                   1/31/04         2/1/03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>           <C>
Discount rate                                                                         6.0%              6.5%
Rate of increase in compensation levels                                               4.0%              4.0%
Expected long-term rate of return                                                     8.0%       8.0% - 9.0%
</TABLE>

         The expected long-term rate of return was based on historical average
         annual returns for S&P 500, Russell 2000 and LB Intermediate Term
         Government for 10 years and since inception assets.

         The weighted average allocation of plan assets by category are as
         follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                  --------------------------
                                                                                  1/31//04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>
Equity securities                                                                     48.4%             35.0%
Fixed securities                                                                      45.0              49.0
Commercial mortgage                                                                    5.8                --
Other                                                                                  0.8              16.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     100.0%            100.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-17
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The Company's investment strategy is to meet the liabilities of the
         plans as they are due and to maximize the return on invested assets
         within appropriate risk tolerances.

         The Company's funding policy is to contribute an amount annually that
         satisfies the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and that is tax
         deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company anticipates
         contributing approximately $1.5 million in fiscal 2004 to meet minimum
         funding requirements.

6.       OTHER BENEFIT PLANS

         The Company participates in the SSC sponsored 401(k) Plan (the "Plan").
         Employees who attained age twenty-one and completed one year of service
         could contribute up to thirty percent of their compensation to the Plan
         on a pre-tax basis, subject to IRS limitations. The Company matches
         employee deferrals into the Plan - 100% on the first 3% of eligible
         compensation deferred and 50% on the next 3% of eligible compensation
         deferred. Eligibility to defer begins after 60 days of employment and
         matching begins after one year of qualified service. Additionally, the
         Company may contribute a discretionary profit sharing amount to the
         Plan each year. The Company incurred costs associated with the 401(k)
         Plan of $5.9 million, $5.8 million and $3.5 million for fiscal years
         2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

         The Company provides an Associate Stock Purchase Plan. Eligibility
         requirements are similar to the 401(k) Plan. Eligible employees can
         purchase common shares of the Company through payroll deductions. The
         Company will match 15% of employee investments up to a maximum
         investment level. Plan costs to the Company for all fiscal periods
         presented are not material to the consolidated financial statements.

         Certain employees of the Company are covered by union-sponsored,
         collectively bargained, multi-employer pension plans, the costs of
         which are not material to the consolidated financial statements.

         Certain employees of the Company participated in the Schottenstein
         Stores Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan which is a non-qualified,
         pre-tax, income deferral plan. The cost of the plan was not material to
         the consolidated financial statements. Effective January 31, 2003, the
         plan was terminated.

7.       SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

         The Company issued common shares to certain key employees pursuant to
         individual employment agreements and certain other grants from time to
         time, which are approved by the Board of Directors. The market value of
         the shares at the date of grant is recorded as deferred compensation
         expense. The agreements condition the vesting of the shares generally
         upon continued employment with the Company with such restrictions
         expiring over various periods ranging from three to five years.
         Deferred compensation is charged to expense on a straight-line basis
         during the period that the restrictions lapse.

         As of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, the Company had
         outstanding approximately 251,000 and 418,000 restricted shares,
         respectively, which are less than 1% of the common shares outstanding
         and the diluted shares.

8.       STOCK OPTION PLANS

         The Company has a 2000 Stock Incentive Plan that provides for the
         issuance of options to purchase up to 13,000,000 common shares or the
         issuance of restricted stock to management, key employees of the
         Company and affiliates, consultants as defined, and directors of the
         Company. Options generally vest 20% per year on a cumulative basis.
         Options granted under the 2000 Stock Plan remain exercisable for a
         period of ten years from the date of grant.

         An option to purchase 2,500 common shares is automatically granted to
         each non-employee director on the first New York Stock Exchange trading
         day in each calendar quarter. The exercise price for each option is the
         fair market value of the common shares on the date of grant. All
         options become exercisable one year after the grant date and remain
         exercisable for a period of ten years from the grant date, subject to
         continuation of the option-holders' service as directors of the
         Company.

                                      F-18
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The Company has a 1991 Stock Option Plan that provided for the grant of
         options to purchase up to 4,000,000 common shares. Such options are
         exercisable 20% per year on a cumulative basis and remain exercisable
         for a period of ten years from the date of grant.

         On February 2, 2002, the Company issued 2,720,000 performance-based
         stock options. The vesting period of the performance-based stock
         options is either eight years or earlier if certain performance
         criteria are met. As of February 1, 2003, those performance guidelines
         have not been met; therefore, the stock options are currently being
         vested over eight years. These stock options have been identified as
         fixed plans under APB 25; as a result no compensation expense is
         recorded in fiscal 2003, 2002 or 2001.

         The vesting based on performance criteria is as follows: (A) January
         31, 2004 if, for each day of 60-consecutive day period that ends on or
         before January 31, 2004, the closing price of the Company's common
         stock is at least $12.00 per share or (B) the last of : (i) any
         60-consecutive trading day period that ends after January 31, 2004 and
         before January 30, 2010 and on each day of which the closing price of
         the Company's common stock is at least $12.00 per share; or (ii) the
         Company has achieved at least 95 percent of the earnings before income
         tax goal that the Board set for each of any three consecutive fiscal
         years ending after February 2, 2002 and on or before January 30, 2010.

         During fiscal 2003 the Company contingently awarded 990,000 options
         subject to an Option Price Protection Provision (OPPP). These
         contingent options were awarded at the greater of market value or $4.50
         and are subject to a vesting schedule or a performance vesting formula,
         as applicable. The OPPP provides that until the Company receives
         certain approvals from lenders the issue of these options is
         contingent. Further, if any of these contingent options would have
         vested before they are actually granted, at or after that time, the
         grantee may exercise the OPPP on some or all of the contingent options
         that would have vested. Pursuant to an OPPP exercise the grantee is
         compensated by the Company in the amount of the gain, if any,
         represented by the difference between the stock closing price on the
         New York Stock Exchange on the date of the exercise and the strike
         price per share. The OPPP does not apply once contingent options are
         actually granted. Compensation expense for these contingent options was
         $0.3 million in 2003.

         The following table summarizes the Company's stock option plans and
         related Weighted Average Exercise Prices ("WAEP") (shares in
         thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended
                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1/31/04                 2/1/03                  2/2/02
                                                      -------                 ------                  ------
                                                 Shares        WAEP      Shares       WAEP       Shares       WAEP
                                                 ------        ----      ------       ----       ------       ----
<S>                                              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Outstanding beginning of year                     8,921       $5.36       3,693       $8.07       2,616       $9.32
Granted                                             833        2.44       6,664        4.30       1,307        8.41
Exercised                                           (20)       3.04          --          --        (108)       8.10
Canceled                                           (468)       8.47      (1,436)       7.38        (122)       9.48

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding end of year                           9,266        4.94       8,921        5.36       3,693        8.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Options exercisable end of year                   2,845       $6.50       1,651       $8.98       1,595       $9.29

Shares available for additional grants            7,456                   7,821                   3,049
</TABLE>

         The following table summarizes information about stock options
         outstanding as of January 31, 2004 (shares in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Options Outstanding
                               ------------------------------------------------
                                                     Weighted
                                                      Average                                Options Exercisable
 Range of exercise                                   Remaining                               -------------------
       prices                   Shares             Contract Life          WAEP             Shares          WAEP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                <C>                   <C>               <C>            <C>
$  1.68 -    $ 4.49              1,558                 9 yrs             $ 2.43               294         $ 2.77

$  4.50 -    $10.00              7,333                 8 yrs             $ 5.05             2,209         $ 5.94

$ 10.01-     $21.44                375                 5 yrs             $13.27               342         $13.31
</TABLE>

                                      F-19
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

9.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

         The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that are
         incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company estimates the
         range of liability related to pending litigation where the amount and
         range of loss can be estimated. The Company records its best estimate
         of a loss when the loss is considered probable. Where a liability is
         probable and there is a range of estimated loss, the Company records
         the minimum estimated liability related to the claim. In the opinion of
         management, the amount of any liability with respect to these
         proceedings will not be material. As additional information becomes
         available, the Company assesses the potential liability related to its
         pending litigation and revises the estimates. Revisions in the
         Company's estimates and potential liability could materially impact its
         results of operations.

10.      INCOME TAXES

         The (benefit) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in
         thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03          2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>              <C>
Current:
Federal                                                           $   198          $ 3,523                --
State and local                                                        --              503          $  2,833
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      198            4,026             2,833
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal                                                            (1,463)          (2,697)          (16,948)
State and local                                                      (453)            (385)           (2,422)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   (1,916)          (3,082)          (19,370)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax (benefit) expense                                      $(1,718)         $   944          $(16,537)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         A reconciliation of the expected income taxes based upon the statutory
         rate is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>             <C>
Income tax (benefit) expense at
  federal statutory rate                                          $  (667)          $  500          $(13,376)
Jobs credit                                                        (1,524)            (926)           (1,439)
State and local taxes, net                                            208              641            (2,449)
Non-deductible interest                                               662              370             1,885
Valuation allowance                                                 1,467               --                --
Other                                                              (1,864)             359            (1,158)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $(1,718)          $  944          $(16,537)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-20
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The components of the net deferred tax asset as of January 31, 2004 and
         February 1, 2003 are (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                   -------------------------
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Basis differences in inventory                                                   $14,884           $30,184
  Basis differences in property and equipment                                       13,585             5,891
  Deferred compensation                                                              1,009             1,695
  Amortization of lease acquisition costs                                            1,308             1,634
  Acquired assets                                                                    2,036             2,036
  Net operating loss                                                                12,322             9,106
  Federal tax credit                                                                 2,963             1,439
  Contribution carry forward                                                         1,467             1,467
  Valuation allowance                                                               (1,467)               --
  Tenant allowance                                                                   1,478               401
  Capital leases                                                                     1,362             1,812
  Other comprehensive loss                                                           4,008             3,881
  Accrued expenses                                                                  17,198                --
  Other                                                                              2,148             9,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    74,301            69,046
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Gain/loss                                                                         (2,708)           (1,128)
  State and local taxes                                                             (4,941)           (3,401)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    (7,649)           (4,529)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total net                                                                        $66,652           $64,517
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The net deferred tax asset is recorded in the Company's consolidated
         balance sheet as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                   -------------------------
                                                                                   1/31/04            2/1/03
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>               <C>
Current deferred tax asset                                                         $44,933           $51,317
Non-current deferred tax asset                                                      21,719            13,200
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset                                                             $66,652           $64,517
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The Company has determined that there is a probability that future
         taxable income may not be sufficient to fully utilize deferred tax
         assets (Charitable Contribution Carry forwards) which expire in 2006.
         Therefore, an allowance of $1.5 million is needed at the end of the
         year.

         The state net operating loss carry forward is approximately $189.8
         million and is available to reduce state taxable income from 2006 to
         2021. The federal general business tax credit carry forward is
         approximately $1.4 million which will expire in 2022. In 2002, the
         Company filed amended tax returns for prior years, which allowed for
         the recognition of $15.3 million of deferred tax assets, related
         primarily to net operating losses.

11.      SEGMENT REPORTING

         The Company is managed in three operating segments: Value City, DSW and
         Filene's Basement. All of the operations are located in the United
         States. The Company has identified such segments based on management
         responsibility and measures segment profit as operating profit (loss),
         which is defined as income (loss) before interest expense and income
         taxes.

                                      F-21
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 (IN THOUSANDS):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Filene's
                                    Value City             DSW           Basement          Total
                                    ----------             ---           --------          -----
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>              <C>             <C>
Net sales                           $1,504,674          $772,631         $316,901        $2,594,206
Operating profit (loss)                  5,716            25,608           (2,923)           28,401
Identifiable assets                    498,048           224,832          141,065           863,945
Capital expenditures                    38,582            21,017            9,102            68,701
Depreciation and
  amortization                          34,698            15,577            6,734            57,009
</TABLE>

         YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Filene's
                                    Value City             DSW           Basement          Total
                                    ----------             ---           --------          -----
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>              <C>             <C>
Net sales                           $1,518,595          $628,964         $303,160        $2,450,719
Operating profit (loss)                 20,011            13,660           (3,088)           30,583
Identifiable assets                    547,538           183,190          101,071           831,799
Capital expenditures                    26,136            12,260            3,388            41,784
Depreciation and
  Amortization                          46,079             6,801            7,421            60,301
</TABLE>

         YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 2, 2002 (IN THOUSANDS):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Filene's
                                    Value City             DSW           Basement          Total
                                    ----------             ---           --------          -----
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>              <C>             <C>
Net sales                           $1,481,151          $509,375         $293,352        $2,283,878
Operating (loss) profit                (29,553)            4,621            8,588           (16,344)
Identifiable assets                    613,897           232,274           34,140           880,311
Capital expenditures                    14,788            24,542              914            40,244
Depreciation and
  Amortization                          43,141             4,099            7,027            54,267
</TABLE>

         The following sets forth sales by each major merchandise category (in
         thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Year Ended
                                                               ---------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>               <C>
Apparel and ready to wear                                      $1,112,789       $1,144,024        $1,189,938
Hard goods and home furnishings                                   493,511          466,759           376,060
Shoes and other footwear                                          987,906          839,936           717,880
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                          $2,594,206       $2,450,719        $2,283,878
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-22
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

13.      QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

                 QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

         YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1st Qtr.        2nd Qtr.       3rd Qtr.       4th Qtr.
                                                   05/03/03        08/02/03       11/01/03       01/31/04
                                                   13 Weeks        13 Weeks       13 Weeks       13 Weeks
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales, excluding sales of
    licensed departments                           $588,532        $604,594       $680,639       $720,441
Cost of sales                                      (371,812)       (368,228)      (419,251)      (433,923)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                        216,720         236,366        261,388        286,518
Selling, general and
   administrative expenses                         (231,041)       (235,875)      (250,575)      (260,710)
License fees and other income                         1,501           1,291          1,454          1,364
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating (loss) profit                             (12,820)          1,782         12,267         27,172
Interest expense, net
  Non-related                                        (3,651)         (1,536)        (2,405)        (2,126)
  Related parties                                    (5,932)         (6,533)        (6,191)        (6,191)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income before income taxes                   (22,403)         (6,287)         3,671         18,855
Benefit (provision) for income taxes                  9,230           2,639         (2,770)        (7,381)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) income                                  $(13,173)       $ (3,648)      $    901       $ 11,474
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic (loss) earnings per share (2)                $  (0.39)       $ (0.11)       $   0.03       $   0.34
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (2)              $  (0.39)       $ (0.11)       $   0.03       $   0.25
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-23
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

         YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 2003

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1st Qtr.         2nd Qtr.      3rd Qtr.       4th Qtr.
                                                  05/04/02         08/03/02      11/02/02       02/01/03
                                                13 Weeks(1)        13 Weeks    13 Weeks(1)    13 Weeks(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                <C>         <C>            <C>
Net sales, excluding sales of
    licensed departments                        $   585,912        $569,062    $   616,990    $   678,755
Cost of sales                                      (362,725)       (345,463)      (383,921)      (422,520)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                        223,187         223,599        233,069        256,235
Selling, general and
   administrative expenses                         (223,270)       (219,344)      (231,241)      (239,057)
License fees and other income                         2,162           2,431          1,257          1,555
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                                      2,079           6,686          3,085         18,733
Interest expense, net
    Non-related                                      (4,753)         (3,957)        (3,247)        (2,952)
    Related parties                                  (1,585)         (3,906)        (5,518)        (6,575)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income before cumulative effect of
    accounting change and income taxes               (4,259)         (1,177)        (5,680)         9,206
Benefit (provision) for income taxes                  1,564             451          2,184         (3,874)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) income before cumulative
    effect of accounting change                      (2,695)           (726)        (3,496)         5,332
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
   net of income taxes                               (2,080)             --             --             --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) income                               $    (4,775)       $   (726)   $    (3,496)   $     5,332
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
  Basic
    (Loss) income before cumulative
      effect of accounting change               $     (0.08)        $ (0.02)   $     (0.10)   $      0.16
    Cumulative effect of accounting change,
       net of income taxes                            (0.06)             --             --             --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic (loss) earnings per share (2)             $     (0.14)        $ (0.02)    $    (0.10)   $      0.16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted
    (Loss) income before cumulative
      effect of accounting change               $     (0.08)        $ (0.02)    $    (0.10)   $      0.12
    Cumulative effect of accounting change,
      net of income taxes                             (0.06)             --             --             --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted (loss) profit earnings per share (2)    $     (0.14)        $ (0.02)    $    (0.10)   $      0.12
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (1)      The results of operations for the quarters ended 5/4/02,
                  11/2/02 and 2/1/03 include charges for employee severance of
                  $1.7 million, $1.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The
                  quarter ended 02/01/03 includes the full period amortization
                  of the debt discount of $1.1 million.

         (2)      (Loss) earnings per share calculations for each quarter are
                  based on the applicable weighted average shares outstanding
                  for each period and my not necessarily be equal to the full
                  year per share amount.

                                      F-24
<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

14.      SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in thousands):

         A supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
         is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                  1/31/04           2/1/03            2/2/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>               <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest                                                        $34,070          $30,319           $26,788

  Income taxes                                                    $ 2,298           $7,324            $2,757

Issuance of warrants                                                   --           $6,074                --
</TABLE>

         In June 2002, the Company issued warrants with a fair market value of
         $6,074,000, using the Black Scholes model, to the holders of to the
         Term Loan C Lenders to purchase 2,954,792 shares of common stock at the
         initial exercise price of $4.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The
         Warrants are exercisable at any time prior to June 11, 2012. The
         Company has granted the Term Loan C Lenders registration rights with
         respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

                                      F-25
<PAGE>

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A                                 COLUMN B                   COLUMN C                    COLUMN D           COLUMN E
--------                                 --------                   --------                    --------           --------
                                        Balance at        Charge to           Charges to                          Balance at
                                         Beginning        Costs and             Other                                 End
Description                              of Period         Expenses          Accounts (1)    Deductions (2)       of Period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>               <C>                <C>             <C>                 <C>
Allowance deducted from asset to
which it applies:

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:
    Year Ended:
       02/02/02                         $      992        $   4,829          $    165        $    4,193          $ 1,793
       02/01/03                              1,793               10                --               907              896
       01/31/04                                896               33                --               103              826

ALLOWANCE FOR MARKDOWNS:
    Year Ended:
       02/02/02                             54,082           22,698             3,451            46,691           33,540
       02/01/03                             33,540            8,594                --             9,659           32,475
       01/31/04                             32,475            6,569                --             4,859           34,185

ALLOWANCE FOR SALES RETURNS:
    Year Ended:
       02/02/02                              1,866            1,676                78             1,272            2,348
       02/01/03                              2,348              528                --               614            2,262
       01/31/04                              2,262              963                --                15            3,210

STORE CLOSING RESERVE:
    Year ended:
       02/02/02                              1,043               --                --               428              615
       02/01/03                                615            1,099                --             1,190              524
       01/31/04                                524              598                --                --            1,122
</TABLE>

(1)      The charges to other accounts represent balances resulting from the
         acquisitions of VCM in fiscal 2001.

(2)      The deductions in Column D are amounts written off against the
         respective reserve.

                                       S-1

<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
            Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are filed herewith.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
  No.                                    Description
-------    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>
2.1        Agreement and Plan of Merger among Value City Department Stores, Inc.,
           Retail Ventures, Inc. and Value City Merger Sub, Inc., effective as of
           October 8, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Form 8-K
           (file no. 1-10767) filed on October 8, 2003.

3.1        Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 8-K (file No. 1-10767)
           filed on October 8, 2003.

3.2        Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Company. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 8-K (file No. 1-10767) filed on
           October 8, 2003.

10.1       Corporate Services Agreement, dated June 12, 2002, between the Company
           and SSC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-Q (file
           no. 1-10767) filed June 18, 2002.

10.2       License Agreement, dated June 5, 1991, between the Company and SSC re
           Service Marks. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment
           No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (file no. 33-40214) filed June
           6, 1991.

10.3       Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated 1991, between the Company and
           its directors and executive officers. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (file
           no. 33-40214) filed June 6, 1991.

10.4       Company's Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration
           Statement (file no. 333-45852) filed October 16, 2003.

10.5       Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement (file
           no. 33-46221) filed October 16, 2003.

10.6       Value City Department Stores, Inc.'s Board of Directors Resolutions
           dated as of July 6, 1992, adopting the terms of the Value City
           Department Stores, Inc. 1992 Officer/Key Employee Stock Bonus Plan.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8
           Registration Statement (file no. 33-50198) filed October 16, 2003.

10.7       Form of Company's 1992 Bonus Share Agreement. Incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 4(b) to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement
           (file no. 33-50198) filed October 16, 2003.

10.8       Form of Depository Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)
           to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement (file no 33-40198)
           filed October 16, 2003.

10.9       Company's Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration
           Statement (file no. 333-100398) filed on October 16, 2003.

10.10      Company's Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Form S-8 Registration
           Statement (file no. 333-45856) filed October 16, 2003.
</TABLE>


                                      E-1
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>       <C>
10.11      Master Warehouse Lease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as
           lessee, and SSC, as lessor, re three warehouse, office, and shop
           locations. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registration
           Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.11.1    First Amendment to Master Warehouse Lease, dated February 1992, between
           the Company, as lessee, and SSC, as lessor, re three warehouse, office,
           and shop locations. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.1 to Form
           S-1 Registration Statement (file no. 33-47252) filed April 16, 1992.

10.11.2    Second Amendment to Master Warehouse Lease, dated June 1993, between the
           Company, as lessee, and SSC, as lessor, re three warehouse, office, and
           shop locations. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.2 to Form
           10-K (file no. 1-10767) filed October 26, 1993.

10.12      Master Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as
           sublessee, and SSC, as sublessor, re three stores. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file
           no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.13      Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as sublessee, and
           SSC, as sublessor, re one warehouse, with underlying lease, dated July
           15, 1981, between SSC, as lessee, and J.A.L. Realty Company, an
           affiliate of SSC, as lessor. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12
           to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April
           29, 1991.

10.14      Lease, dated July 7, 1987, between the Company, by assignment from SSC,
           as lessee, and Schottenstein Trustees, an affiliate of SSC, as lessor,
           re one store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment
           No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (file no. 33-40214) filed June
           6, 1991.

10.15      Lease, dated June 28, 1989, between the Company, by assingment from SSC,
           as lessee, and Southeast Industrial Park Realty Company, an affiliate of
           SSC, as lessor, re one warehouse. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
           10.14.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed
           April 29, 1991.

10.16      Lease, dated October 27, 1989, between the Company, by assignment from
           SSC, as lessee, and Southeast Industrial Park Realty Company, an
           affiliate of SSC, as lessor, re one warehouse. Incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 10.14.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file no.
           33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.17      Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as sublessor, and
           SSC, as sublessee, re Baltimore, MD (Eastpoint) furniture store
           location. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15.1 to Registration
           Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.18      Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as sublessor, and
           SSC, as sublessee, re Baltimore, MD (Westview) furniture store location.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15.2 to Registration Statement
           on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.19      Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as sublessor, and
           SSC, as sublessee, re Lansing, MI furniture store location. Incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 10.15.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
           (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.20      Sublease, dated April 25, 1991, between the Company, as sublessor, and
           SSC, as sublessee, re Louisville, KY (Preston Highway) furniture store
           location. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15.4 to Registration
           Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.21      Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement between the Company, as
           assignee, and SSC, as assignor, re separate assignments of leases for 31
           stores. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Registration
           Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 33-40214) filed April 29, 1991.

10.22      Lease Agreement, dated July 1, 1988, between the Company, by assignment
           from SSC dated April 25, 1991, as sublessee, and SSC, as sublessor, re
           Benwood, WV store location. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19
           to Form 10-K (file no.1-10767) filed October 24, 1991.
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10.23      Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, dated 1992, between the Company and
           certain employees. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to
           Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (file no. 33-47252)
           filed April 27, 1992.

10.24      Lease, dated September 1, 1992, between the Company, as lessee, and SSC,
           as lessor, re South Bend, IN store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
           10.29 to Form 10-K (file no.1-10767) filed October 22, 1992.

10.25      Lease, dated January 27, 1992, between the Company, as lessee, and
           J.A.L. Realty Company, an affiliate of SSC, as lessor, re 3080 Alum
           Creek warehouse. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-K
           (file no.1-10767) filed October 22, 1992.

10.25.1    Exercise of the first five-year renewal option commencing February 1,
           1997 under lease, dated January 27, 1992, as amended, between the
           Company, as lessee, and J.A.L. Realty Company, an affiliate of SSC, as
           lessor, re 3080 Alum Creek warehouse. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.30.1 to Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed March 19, 1996.

10.26      Lease, dated July 29, 1992, between the Company, as lessee, and J.A.L.
           Realty Company, an affiliate of SSC, as lessor, re 3232 Alum Creek
           warehouse. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K (file
           no.1-10767) filed October 22, 1992.

10.27      Lease, dated October 26, 1993 between the Company, as lessee, and J.A.L.
           Realty Company, as lessor, re 2560 Valuway, Columbus, OH. Incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Form 10-K (file no.1-10767) filed March
           14, 1994.

10.27.1    Lease Modification Agreement dated June 16, 1995 to lease, dated October
           26 1993, between the Company, as lessee, and J.A.L. Realty Company, an
           affiliate of SSC, as lessor, re 2560 Valuway, Columbus, OH. Incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 10.33.1 to Form 10-K (file no.1-10767) filed
           October 27, 1995.

10.28      Ground lease, dated April 15, 1994, between the Company, as lessee, and
           J.A.L. Realty Company, an affiliate of SSC, as lessor, re 19 acres.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Form 10-K (file no.
           1-10767) filed October 26, 1994.

10.29      Agreement of Lease dated September 1, 1994, between Company, as tenant,
           and Jubilee Limited Partnership, as landlord, re Carol Stream, IL store.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-Q (file no.
           1-10767) filed December 12, 1994.

10.30      Agreement of Lease, dated March 1, 1994, between the Company, as tenant,
           and Jubilee Limited Partnership, as landlord, re Hobart, IN store.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-Q (file no.
           1-10767) filed December 12, 1994.

10.31      Agreement of Lease, dated February 10, 1995, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Jubilee Limited Partnership, as landlord, re Gurnee Mills,
           IL store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Form 10-Q, (file
           no. 1-10767) filed March 14, 1995.

10.32      Agreement of Lease, dated January 13, 1995, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Westland Partners, as landlord, re Westland, MI store.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Form 10-Q, (file no.
           1-10767) filed March 14, 1995.

10.33      Agreement of Lease, dated January 13, 1995, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Taylor Partners, as landlord, re Taylor, MI store.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Form 10-Q, (file no.
           1-10767) filed March 14, 1995.

10.34      Sublease, dated December 28, 1994, between the Company, as subtenant,
           and Shonac Corporation, as sublandlord, re Alum Creek Drive warehouse
           space. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Form 10-Q, (file
           no. 1-10767) filed March 14, 1995.
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10.35      Lease, dated September 2, 1997, between the Company, as lessee, and
           SSC-Fort Wayne LLC, as lessor. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
           10.33.1 to Form 10-K (file no. 1-10767) filed April 29, 2002.

10.36      Agreement of Lease, dated April 10, 1995, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Independence Limited Liability Company, as landlord, re
           Charlotte, NC store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Form
           10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed December 12, 1995.

10.37      Sublease and Occupancy Agreement, dated December 15, 1995, between the
           Company, SSC and SSC, dba Value City Furniture, re Louisville, KY
           (Preston Highway) store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to
           Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed March 19, 1996.

10.38      Agreement of Lease, dated March 13, 1996, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Jubilee Limited Partnership, as landlord, re Saginaw, MI
           store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to Form 10-Q (file no.
           1-10767) filed March 19, 1996.

10.39      Agreement of Lease, dated 1996 between the Company, as tenant, and SSC,
           as landlord, re the Melrose Park, IL store. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.49 to Form 10-K (file no. 1-10767) filed November 1, 1996.

10.40      Agreement of Lease, dated October 4, 1996, between the Company, as
           tenant, and Hickory Ridge Pavilion, Ltd., as landlord, re the Memphis,
           TN store. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to Form 10-K (file
           no. 1-10767) filed November 1, 1996.

10.41      Lease, dated 1998, between the Company, as lessee, and Jubilee Limited
           Partnership, as lessor, re River Oaks West Shopping Center, Calumet
           City, IL. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to Form 10-K (file
           no. 1-10767) filed April 30, 1999.

10.42      Lease, dated September 29, 1998 between the Company, as tenant, and
           Valley Fair Irvington, LLC, as landlord, re Irvington, NJ. Incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to Form 10-K (file no. 1-10767) filed
           April 30, 1999.

10.43      Lease, dated March 22, 2000 between East Fifth Avenue, LLC, an affiliate
           of SSC, as landlord, and Shonac Corporation, as tenant. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.60 to Form 10-K (file no. 1-10767) filed April
           28, 2000.

10.44*     Lease, dated August 30, 2002 by and between Jubilee Limited Partnership,
           an Ohio limited partnership (an affiliate of SSC) and Shonac
           Corporation, re: Troy, MI DSW store.

10.45*     Lease, dated July 31, 2003 by and between JLPK-Dale Mabry, LLC, a
           Delaware limited liability company (an affiliate of SSC) and Shonac
           Corporation, re: Tampa, FL DSW store.

10.46*     Lease, dated October 8, 2003 by and between Jubilee Limited
           Partnership, an Ohio limited partnership (an affiliate of SSC) and
           Shonac Corporation, re: Denton, TX DSW store.

10.47*     Lease, dated October 28, 2003 by and between JLP-RICHMOND LLC, an Ohio
           limited liability company (an affiliate of SSC) and Shonac Corporation,
           Richmond, VA DSW store.

10.48      Employment Agreement, dated June 21, 2000, between James A. McGrady and
           the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Form 10-K
           (file no. 1-10767) filed May 4, 2001.

10.49      Employment Agreement dated February 3, 2002 between John C. Rossler and
           the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q (file
           no. 1-10767) filed September 12, 2002.

10.50      Employment Agreement, dated February 3, 2002, between Edwin J. Kozlowski
           and the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Form 10-K
           (file no. 1-10767) filed May 1, 2003.

10.51*     Employment Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2004, between Julia A. Davis and
           the Company.
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10.52      Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2002, between the
           Company, as Borrowers, and National City Commercial Finance, Inc., as
           Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit
           Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q (file
           no. 1-10767) filed June 18, 2002.

10.52.1    First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 7,
           2003, between Value City Department Stores, Inc., as Agent for the
           Borrowers, and National City Commercial Finance, Inc., as Administrative
           Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders.
           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to Form 8-K (file No.
           1-10767) filed October 8, 2003.

10.53      Financing Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2002, by and among the
           Company, as Borrowers and Cerberus Partners, L.P. and the Lenders from
           time to time party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
           Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed June 18, 2002.

10.53.1    First Amendment to the Financing Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2003,
           by and among Value City Department Stores, Inc., Shonac Corporation, DSW
           Shoe Warehouse, Inc., Gramex Retail Stores, Inc., Filene's Basement,
           Inc., GB Retailers, Inc., Value City Limited Partnership, Value City of
           Michigan, Inc., J.S. Overland Delivery, Inc., Value City Department
           Stores Services, Inc., Westerville Road GP, Inc. and Westerville Road
           LP, Inc., Retail Ventures, Inc., Retail Ventures Jewelry, Inc., Retail
           Ventures Services, Inc., and Retail Ventures Imports, Inc. (formerly
           known as VC Acquisition, Inc.) and Cerberus Partners, L.P., as agent for
           the Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to Form 8-K
           (file No. 1-10767) filed October 8, 2003.

10.54      Amended and Restated Senior Convertible Loan Agreement, dated as of June
           11, 2002 by and among Value City Department Stores, Inc., as Borrower,
           Shonac Corporation, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., Gramex Retail Stores,
           Inc., VCM, Ltd., Filene's Basement, Inc., GB Retailers, Inc., J.S.
           Overland Delivery, Inc., Value City Department Stores Services, Inc.,
           Value City Limited Partnership, Value City of Michigan, Inc.,
           Westerville Road GP, Inc. and Westerville Road LP, Inc., as guarantors,
           the Lenders from time to time party hereto, as Lenders, and
           Schottenstein Stores Corporation, as Agent. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed June 18, 2002.

10.54.1    Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Senior Convertible Loan
           Agreement, dated June 11, 2002 by and among Value City Department
           Stores, Inc., as Borrower, Shonac Corporation, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc.,
           Gramex Retail Stores, Inc., VCM, Ltd., Filene's Basement, Inc., GB
           Retailers, Inc., J.S. Overland Delivery, Inc., Value City Department
           Stores Services, Inc., Value City Limited Partnership, Value City of
           Michigan, Inc., Westerville Road GP, Inc. and Westerville Road LP, Inc.,
           as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party hereto, as Lenders,
           and Schottenstein Stores Corporation, as Agent. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.3.1 to Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed June
           18, 2002.

10.54.2    Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Senior Convertible Loan
           Agreement dated as of October 7, 2003, by and among Value City
           Department Stores, Inc., Shonac Corporation, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc.,
           Gramex Retail Stores, Inc., Filene's Basement, Inc., GB Retailers, Inc.,
           Value City Limited Partnership, Value City of Michigan, Inc., J.S.
           Overland Delivery, Inc., Value City Department Stores Services, Inc.,
           Westerville Road GP, Inc. and Westerville Road LP, Inc., Retail
           Ventures, Inc., Retail Ventures Jewelry, Inc., Retail Ventures Services,
           Inc., and Retail Ventures Imports, Inc. (formerly known as VC
           Acquisition, Inc.) and Cerberus Partners, L.P., as agent for the
           Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to Form 8-K (file
           No. 001-10767) filed October 8, 2003.

10.55      Amended and Restated Registration Right Agreement, dated as of June 11,
           2002 by and among Value City Department Stores, Inc. and Cerberus
           Partners, L.P. and Schottenstein Stores Corporation. Incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed June 18,
           2002.

10.56      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrants issued to Cerberus Partners, L.P.
           and Schottenstein Stores Corporation. Incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-Q (file no. 1-10767) filed June 18, 2002.

21*        List of Subsidiaries

23*        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
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<TABLE>
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24*        Power of Attorney

31.1*      Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Executive Officer

31.2*      Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Financial Officer

32.1*      Section 1350 Certification - Principal Executive Officer

32.2*      Section 1350 Certification - Principal Financial Officer
</TABLE>

*      Filed herewith.



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