Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                            TAX SEPARATION AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.

                               AND ITS AFFILIATES

                                       and

                                    DSW INC.

                               AND ITS AFFILIATES

                                      Dated

                                  July 5, 2005
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Section 1.   Definitions.                                                              1
Section 2.   Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.                                    8
             2.01. RVI's Responsibility                                                8
             2.02. DSW's Responsibility                                                8
             2.03. Agent                                                               8
             2.04. Manner of Tax Return Preparation                                    9
             2.05. Tax & Accounting Services Agreement                                10
Section 3.   Liability for Taxes                                                      11
             3.01. DSW's Liability for Taxes                                          11
             3.02. RVI's Liability for Taxes                                          11
             3.03. Taxes, Refunds and Credits.                                        11
             3.04. Payment of Tax Liability.                                          12
             3.05. Computation.                                                       12
Section 4.   Distribution Taxes                                                       12
             4.01. Distribution Taxes                                                 12
             4.02. Carrybacks                                                         14
             4.03. Allocation of Tax Items                                            15
             4.04. Continuing Covenants                                               15
             4.05. Allocation of Tax Assets                                           17
Section 5.   Employee Taxes.                                                          17
             5.01. In General.                                                        17
             5.02. Concurrent Employees.                                              17
             5.03. Leased Employees.                                                  18
Section 6.   Indemnification                                                          18
             6.01. In General                                                         18
             6.02. Inaccurate or Incomplete Information                               18
             6.03. No Indemnification for Tax Items                                   18
Section 7.   Payments.                                                                19
             7.01. Estimated Tax Payments                                             19
             7.02. True-Up Payments                                                   19
             7.03. Redetermination Amounts                                            19
             7.04. Payments of Refunds and Credits                                    19
             7.05. Payments Under This Agreement                                      19
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Section 8.   Tax Proceedings.                                                         20
             8.01. In General                                                         20
             8.02. Participation of non-Controlling Party                             21
             8.03. Notice                                                             21
             8.04. Control of Distribution Tax Proceedings                            21
Section 9.   Stock Options and Restricted Stock                                       22
             9.01. In General.                                                        22
             9.02. Notices, Withholding, Reporting.                                   22
             9.03. Adjustments.                                                       22
Section 10.  Miscellaneous Provisions.                                                22
             10.01. Effectiveness                                                     22
             10.02. Cooperation and Exchange of Information                           22
             10.03. Dispute Resolution                                                23
             10.04. Notices.                                                          24
             10.05. Changes in Law                                                    24
             10.06. Confidentiality                                                   24
             10.07. Successors                                                        25
             10.08. Affiliates                                                        25
             10.09. Authorization, Etc                                                26
             10.10. Entire Agreement                                                  26
             10.11. Applicable Law; Jurisdiction                                      26
             10.12. Counterparts                                                      26
             10.13. Severability                                                      26
             10.14. No Third Party Beneficiaries                                      27
             10.15. Waivers, Etc                                                      27
             10.16. Setoff                                                            27
             10.17. Other Remedies                                                    27
             10.18. Amendment and Modification.                                       27
             10.19. Waiver of Jury Trial.                                             27
             10.20. Interpretations.                                                  27
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                            TAX SEPARATION AGREEMENT

      THIS TAX SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of July 5, 2005,
by and among Retail Ventures, Inc., an Ohio corporation ("RVI"), each RVI
Affiliate (as defined below), DSW Inc., an Ohio corporation and currently an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of RVI ("DSW"), and each DSW Affiliate (as
defined below) is entered into in connection with the IPO (as defined below).

                                    RECITALS

      WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, RVI and its direct and indirect domestic
subsidiaries are members of an Affiliated Group (as defined below), of which RVI
is the common parent;

      WHEREAS, RVI owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of DSW stock;

      WHEREAS, RVI intends to cause DSW to complete the DSW Recapitalization (as
defined below);

      WHEREAS, RVI intends, sometime after the DSW Recapitalization, to effect
the initial public offering by DSW of DSW common stock that will reduce RVI's
ownership of DSW, on a fully diluted basis, to less than eighty percent (80%) of
the value of DSW's common stock (the "IPO"); and

      WHEREAS, in contemplation of the IPO pursuant to which DSW (and its direct
and indirect domestic subsidiaries) will cease to be members of the Affiliated
Group (as defined below) of which RVI is the common parent, the parties hereto
have determined to enter into this Agreement, setting forth their agreement with
respect to certain tax matters.

                                    AGREEMENT

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

      As used in this Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the following
meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and the
plural forms of the terms defined):

      "AFFILIATED GROUP" means an affiliated group of corporations within the
meaning of section 1504(a)(1) of the Code that files a consolidated return for
United States federal Income Tax purposes.

      "AFTER TAX AMOUNT" means any additional amount necessary to reflect the
hypothetical Tax consequences of the receipt or accrual of any payment required
to be made under this

                                        1
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Agreement (including payment of an additional amount or amounts hereunder and
the effect of the deductions available for interest paid or accrued and for
Taxes such as state and local Income Taxes), determined by using the highest
applicable statutory corporate Income Tax rate (or rates, in the case of an item
that affects more than one Tax) for the relevant taxable period (or portion
thereof).

      "AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

      "AUDIT" means any audit, notice of assessment of Taxes, assessment of
Taxes, other examination by any Tax Authority, proceeding, or appeal of such a
proceeding relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including
proceedings relating to competent authority determinations.

      "CARRYBACK PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02 of this
Agreement.

      "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

      "COMBINED RETURN" means any Tax Return, other than with respect to United
States federal Income Taxes, filed on a consolidated, combined (including nexus
combination, worldwide combination, domestic combination, line of business
combination or any other form of combination) or unitary basis wherein DSW or
one or more DSW Affiliates join in the filing of such Tax Return (for any
taxable period or portion thereof) with RVI or one or more RVI Affiliates.

      "CONSOLIDATED RETURN" means any Tax Return with respect to United States
federal Income Taxes filed on a consolidated basis wherein DSW or one or more
DSW Affiliates join in the filing of such Tax Return (for any taxable period or
portion thereof) with RVI or one or more RVI Affiliates.

      "CONTROLLING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01 of this
Agreement.

      "DISTRIBUTION" means any distribution by RVI of all of the issued and
outstanding shares of DSW stock that RVI holds at such time to RVI shareholders
on a pro rata basis with respect to its outstanding shares of RVI common stock
in a transaction intended to qualify as a tax-free distribution under section
355 of the Code.

      "DISTRIBUTION TAXES" means any Taxes imposed on, or increase in Taxes
incurred by, RVI or any RVI Affiliate, and any Taxes of an RVI shareholder (or
former RVI shareholder) that are required (other than pursuant to any
contractual indemnification obligation with an RVI shareholder) to be paid or
reimbursed by RVI or any RVI Affiliate pursuant to a legal determination,
provided that RVI shall have vigorously defended itself in any legal proceeding
involving Taxes of an RVI shareholder, (without regard to whether such Taxes are
offset or reduced by any Tax Asset, Tax Item, or otherwise) resulting from, or
arising in connection with, the failure of a Distribution to qualify as a
tax-free transaction under section 355 of the Code (including any Tax resulting
from the application of section 355(d) or section 355(e) of the Code to a
Distribution)

                                        2
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or corresponding provisions of the laws of any other jurisdictions. Any Income
Tax referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be determined using
the highest applicable statutory corporate Income Tax rate for the relevant
taxable period (or portion thereof).

      "DSW" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

      "DSW AFFILIATE" means any corporation or other entity directly or
indirectly "controlled" by DSW at the time in question, where "control" means
the ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the ownership interests of such
corporation or other entity (by vote or value) or the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such corporation or other entity.

      "DSW BUSINESS" means the business and operations conducted by DSW and its
Subsidiaries as such business and operations will continue after the IPO Date.

      "DSW BUSINESS RECORDS" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02(b) of
this Agreement.

      "DSW GROUP" means the Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as
defined under corresponding provisions of the laws of other jurisdictions, of
which DSW will be the common parent corporation immediately after the IPO and
including any corporation or other entity which may become a member of such
group from time to time.

      "DSW RECAPITALIZATION" means the recapitalization of DSW's stock structure
intended to be completed by the (i) cancellation of all of DSW's then
authorized, issued and/or outstanding stock, (ii) authorization of two new
classes of DSW stock, DSW Class A Common Stock and DSW Class B Common Stock,
which will be identical in all respects, except that each share of DSW Class B
Common Stock will be entitled to more votes per share than each share of DSW
Class A Common Stock, and (iii) issuance of DSW Class B Common Stock to RVI with
respect to RVI's ownership of DSW stock.

      "DSW SEPARATE TAX LIABILITY" means an amount equal to the Tax liability
that DSW and each DSW Affiliate would have incurred if they had filed a
consolidated return, combined return (including nexus combination, worldwide
combination, domestic combination, line of business combination or any other
form of combination), unitary return or a separate return, as the case may be,
separate from the members of the RVI Group, for the relevant Tax period, and
such amount shall be computed by RVI in a manner consistent with (i) general Tax
accounting principles, (ii) the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated
thereunder, and (iii) past practice, if any. For the avoidance of doubt, the DSW
Separate Tax Liability shall in no event be less than zero, and nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed to require compensation by RVI for any losses of
DSW or any DSW Affiliate.

      "EMPLOYMENT TAXES" means any and all employment Taxes, including payroll
and employee withholding, unemployment insurance, social security, welfare,
disability and similar Taxes, fees, duties, levies, customs, tariffs, imposts,
assessments, obligations and charges.

                                        3
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      "ESTIMATED TAX INSTALLMENT DATE" means, with respect to United States
federal Income Taxes, the estimated Tax installment due dates prescribed in
section 6655(c) of the Code and, in the case of any other Tax, means any other
date on which an installment payment of an estimated amount of such Tax is
required to be made.

      "FINAL DETERMINATION" shall mean the final resolution of liability for any
Tax for any taxable period, by or as a result of: (i) a final and unappealable
decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent
jurisdiction; (ii) a final settlement with the IRS, a closing agreement or
accepted offer in compromise under sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a
comparable agreement under the laws of other jurisdictions, which resolves the
entire Tax liability for any taxable period; (iii) any allowance of a refund or
credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all
periods during which such refund may be recovered by the jurisdiction imposing
the Tax; or (iv) any other final disposition, including by reason of the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.

      "INCOME TAX" shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign Tax
determined (in whole or in part) by reference to net income, net worth, gross
receipts or capital, or any such Taxes imposed in lieu of such a Tax. For the
avoidance of doubt, the term "Income Tax" includes any franchise Tax, net worth,
gross receipts, capital or any such Taxes imposed in lieu of such a Tax.

      "INCOME TAX RETURN" means any Tax Return relating to any Income Tax.

      "INDEPENDENT FIRM" means a nationally recognized law or accounting firm,
which firm is independent of both parties.

      "IPO" has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

      "IPO DATE" means the close of business on the date which the IPO is
effected.

      "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor
thereto, including its agents, representatives, and attorneys.

      "JOINT RESPONSIBILITY ITEM" means any Tax Item for which the
non-Controlling Party's responsibility under this Agreement could exceed three
hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), but not a Sole Responsibility Item.

      "MARKET VALUATION" means as of the first business day immediately
following the date on which the Distribution is effected (i) with respect to
DSW, the fair market value of all of its issued and outstanding stock (measured
using the mean of the high and low of the public trading price as published in
The Wall Street Journal) as of such date, or (ii) with respect to RVI, the fair
market value of all of its issued and outstanding stock (measured using the mean
of the high and low of the public trading price as published in The Wall Street
Journal) as of such date.

                                        4
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      "NON-INCOME TAX RETURN" means any Tax Return relating to any Tax other
than an Income Tax.

      "OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means a letter executed by an officer of RVI or
DSW and provided to Tax Counsel as a condition for the completion of a Tax
Opinion or Supplemental Tax Opinion.

      "OPTION" means an option to acquire common stock, or other equity-based
incentives the economic value of which is designed to mirror that of an option,
including non-qualified stock options, discounted non-qualified stock options,
cliff options to the extent stock is issued or issuable (as opposed to cash
compensation), and tandem stock options to the extent stock is issued or
issuable (as opposed to cash compensation).

      "OWED PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.05 of this Agreement.

      "OWING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.05 of this Agreement.

      "PAYMENT PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.05(e) of this
Agreement.

      "POST-IPO PERIOD" means any taxable period beginning after the IPO Date.

      "PRE-IPO PERIOD" means any taxable period beginning on or before the IPO
Date.

      "RULING" means (i) any private letter ruling issued by the IRS in
connection with a Distribution in response to a request for such a private
letter ruling filed by RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) prior to the date of a
Distribution, and (ii) any similar ruling issued by any other Taxing Authority
addressing the application of a provision of the laws of another jurisdiction to
a Distribution.

      "RULING DOCUMENTS" means (i) the request for a Ruling filed with the IRS,
together with any supplemental filings or other materials subsequently submitted
on behalf of RVI, its Subsidiaries and shareholders to the IRS, the appendices
and exhibits thereto, and any Ruling issued by the IRS to RVI (or any RVI
Affiliate) in connection with a Distribution and (ii) any similar filings
submitted to, or rulings issued by, any other Taxing Authority in connection
with a Distribution.

      "RVI" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

      "RVI AFFILIATE" means any corporation or other entity directly or
indirectly "controlled" by RVI where "control" means the ownership of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the ownership interests of such corporation or other
entity (by vote or value) or the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such
corporation or other entity, but at all times excluding DSW or any DSW
Affiliate.

                                        5
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      "RVI BUSINESS" means all of the businesses and operations conducted by RVI
and its Subsidiaries, excluding the DSW Business, as defined above, at any time,
whether prior to, or after the IPO Date.

      "RVI GROUP" means the Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as
defined under corresponding provisions of the laws of other jurisdictions, of
which RVI is the common parent corporation, and any corporation or other entity
which may be, may have been or may become a member of such group from time to
time, but excluding any member of the DSW Group.

      "SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT" means the Shared Services Agreement, dated
effective as of January 30, 2005, by and between RVI and DSW.

      "SOLE RESPONSIBILITY ITEM" means any Tax Item for which the
non-Controlling Party has the entire economic liability under this Agreement.

      "SUBSIDIARY" whenever used in reference to any person means any
corporation or other entity directly or indirectly "controlled" by such person
where "control" means the ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
ownership interests of such corporation or other entity (by vote or value) or
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such corporation or other entity.

      "SUPPLEMENTAL RULING" means (i) any ruling (other than the Ruling) issued
by the IRS in connection with a Distribution, and (ii) any similar ruling issued
by any other Taxing Authority addressing the application of a provision of the
laws of another jurisdiction to a Distribution.

      "SUPPLEMENTAL RULING DOCUMENTS" means (i) the request for a Supplemental
Ruling, together with any supplemental filings or other materials subsequently
submitted, the appendices and exhibits thereto, and any Supplemental Rulings
issued by the IRS in connection with a Distribution and (ii) any similar filings
submitted to, or rulings issued by, any other Taxing Authority in connection
with a Distribution.

      "SUPPLEMENTAL TAX OPINION" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(d) of
this Agreement.

      "TAXES" means all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees,
duties, levies, imposts, rates or other assessments, including income, gross
receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer,
franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added or other taxes,
(including any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto) and a
"Tax" shall mean any one of such Taxes.

      "TAX ASSET" means any Tax Item that has accrued for Tax purposes, but has
not been realized during the taxable period in which it has accrued, and that
could reduce a Tax in another taxable period, including a net operating loss,
net capital loss, investment tax credit, foreign tax credit, charitable
deduction or credit related to alternative minimum tax or any other Tax credit.

                                        6
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      "TAX BENEFIT" means a reduction in the Tax liability (or increase in
refund or credit or any item of deduction or expense) of a taxpayer (or of the
Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as defined under corresponding
provisions of the laws of any other jurisdiction, of which it is a member) for
any taxable period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax
Benefit shall be deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a
taxable period only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer
(or of the Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as defined under
corresponding provisions of the laws of any other jurisdiction, of which it is a
member) for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax Item on
the Tax liability of such taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group, or similar group
of entities as defined under corresponding provisions of the laws of any other
jurisdiction, of which it is a member) in the current period and all prior
periods, is less than it would have been had such Tax liability been determined
without regard to such Tax Item.

      "TAX COUNSEL" means a nationally recognized law firm selected by RVI to
provide a Tax Opinion.

      "TAX DETRIMENT" means an increase in the Tax liability (or reduction in
refund or credit or any item of deduction or expense) of a taxpayer (or of the
Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as defined under corresponding
provisions of the laws of any other jurisdiction, of which it is a member) for
any taxable period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax
Detriment shall be deemed to have been realized or incurred from a Tax Item in a
taxable period only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer
(or of the Affiliated Group, or similar group of entities as defined under
corresponding provisions of the laws of any other jurisdiction, of which it is a
member) for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax Item on
the Tax liability of such taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group, or similar group
of entities as defined under corresponding provisions of the laws of any other
jurisdiction, of which it is a member) in the current period and all prior
periods, is more than it would have been had such Tax liability been determined
without regard to such Tax Item.

      "TAX ITEM" means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, expense or
credit, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing
any Tax.

      "TAX OPINION" means an opinion issued by Tax Counsel as one of the
conditions to completing a Distribution addressing certain United States federal
Income Tax consequences of a Distribution under section 355 of the Code.

      "TAX RETURN" means any return, report, certificate, form or similar
statement or document (including any related or supporting information or
schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended tax return, claim
for refund or declaration of estimated Tax) required to be supplied to, or filed
with, a Taxing Authority in connection with the determination, assessment or
collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws, regulations or
administrative requirements relating to any Tax.

                                        7
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      "TAX & ACCOUNTING SERVICES" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a)
of this Agreement.

      "TAXING AUTHORITY" means any governmental authority or any subdivision,
agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental or private
body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or
imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

SECTION 2. PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS.

      2.01. RVI's Responsibility. Subject to the other applicable provisions of
this Agreement, RVI shall have sole and exclusive responsibility for the
preparation and filing of:

            (a) all Consolidated Returns and all Combined Returns for any
taxable period;

            (b) all Income Tax Returns (other than Consolidated Returns and
Combined Returns) with respect to RVI and/or any RVI Affiliate for any taxable
period;

            (c) all Non-Income Tax Returns with respect to DSW, any DSW
Affiliate, or the DSW Business or any part thereof, that are required to be
filed (taking into account any extension of time which has been requested or
received) on or prior to the IPO Date; and

            (d) all Non-Income Tax Returns with respect to RVI, any RVI
Affiliate, or the RVI Business or any part thereof for any taxable period.

      2.02. DSW's Responsibility. Subject to the other applicable provisions of
this Agreement, DSW shall have sole and exclusive responsibility for the
preparation and filing of:

            (a) all Income Tax Returns (other than Consolidated Returns and
Combined Returns) with respect to DSW and/or any DSW Affiliate for any taxable
period;

            (b) all Non-Income Tax Returns with respect to DSW, any DSW
Affiliate, or the DSW Business or any part thereof, that are required to be
filed (taking into account any extension of time which has been requested or
received) after the IPO Date.

      2.03. Agent. Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement,
DSW hereby irrevocably designates, and agrees to cause each DSW Affiliate to so
designate, RVI as its sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to take such
action (including execution of documents) as RVI, in its sole discretion, may
deem appropriate in any and all matters (including Audits) relating to any Tax
Return described in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

                                        8
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      2.04. Manner of Tax Return Preparation.

            (a) Unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority, the parties
hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to take all other actions,
in a manner consistent with (1) this Agreement, (2) any Tax Opinion, (3) any
Supplemental Tax Opinion, (4) any Ruling, and (5) any Supplemental Ruling. All
Tax Returns shall be filed on a timely basis (taking into account applicable
extensions) by the party responsible for filing such returns under this
Agreement.

            (b) Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement,
RVI shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, with respect to any
Tax Return described in Section 2.01 of this Agreement, to determine (1) the
manner in which such Tax Return shall be prepared and filed, including the
elections, method of accounting, positions, conventions and principles of
taxation to be used and the manner in which any Tax Item shall be reported, (2)
whether any extensions shall be requested, (3) the elections that will be made
by RVI, any RVI Affiliate, DSW, and/or any DSW Affiliate on such Tax Return, (4)
whether any amended Tax Returns shall be filed, (5) whether any claims for
refund shall be made, (6) whether any refunds shall be paid by way of refund or
credited against any liability for the related Tax, and (7) whether to retain
outside firms to prepare and/or review such Tax Returns. In the case of any
Consolidated Return or Combined Return due (with applicable extensions)
forty-five (45) days or more after the IPO Date including or reporting a DSW
Separate Tax Liability, and any Tax Return due at any time after the IPO Date
that reports a DSW Separate Tax Liability in excess of five hundred thousand
dollars ($500,000), RVI shall provide to DSW a pro forma draft of the portion of
such Tax Return that reflects the DSW Separate Tax Liability and a statement
showing in reasonable detail RVI's calculation of the DSW Separate Tax Liability
(including copies of all worksheets and other materials used in preparation
thereof) at least twenty (20) days prior to the due date (with applicable
extensions) for the filing of such Tax Return for DSW's review and comment. DSW
shall provide its comments to RVI at least fifteen (15) days prior to the due
date (with applicable extensions) for the filing of such Tax Return. Any dispute
regarding the reporting of any Tax Item on such Tax Return shall be resolved
pursuant to Section 10.03 of this Agreement. The relevant Tax Item shall be
reported in the manner that the Independent Firm determines is more appropriate,
and such determination shall be final and binding on RVI and DSW. If DSW has not
provided its comments on the pro forma draft of the portion of the Tax Return,
or in the case of a dispute regarding the reporting of any Tax Item, such
dispute has not been resolved by the due date (with applicable extension) for
the filing of any Tax Return, RVI shall file such Tax Return reporting all Tax
Items in the manner as originally set forth on the pro forma draft of the
portion of the Tax Return provided to DSW; provided, however, that RVI agrees
that it will thereafter file an amended Tax Return, if necessary, reporting any
disputed Tax Item in the manner determined by the Independent Firm, and any
other Tax Item as agreed upon by RVI and DSW.

                                        9
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      2.05. Tax & Accounting Services Agreement.

            (a) In General. RVI shall prepare for DSW any Tax Return described
in Section 2.02 of this Agreement and provide other Tax related services to DSW,
as set forth on Schedule 2.05(a) attached hereto (the "Tax & Accounting
Services"). In consideration for the Tax & Accounting Services, DSW shall (i)
pay to RVI fifty percent (50%) of any and all costs associated with the
maintenance and operation of RVI's tax department (including any and all
overhead expenses) for each month in which the Tax & Accounting Services are to
be performed, and (ii) reimburse RVI for fifty percent (50%) of any and all
third party fees and expenses incurred by RVI; provided, however, that, (i) DSW
shall reimburse RVI for one hundred percent (100%) of any and all third party
fees and expenses incurred by RVI solely in connection with the performance of
the Tax & Accounting Services, and (ii) DSW shall not be required to reimburse
RVI for any portion of any third party fees and expenses incurred by RVI solely
for the benefit of RVI or any RVI Affiliate. Payment and reimbursement with
respect to Tax & Accounting Services performed in a particular month shall be
made within twenty (20) days of the end of such month in immediately available
funds as instructed by RVI ; provided, however, that, upon termination of the
rights and obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05, payment and reimbursement
with respect to all Tax & Accounting Services performed through and including
the effective date of the termination shall be made at least two (2) days prior
to the effective date of the termination. Either party shall have the right to
terminate all rights and obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05 effective
upon one hundred and eighty (180) days written notice to the other party of its
cancellation of the Tax & Accounting Services.

            (b) Right to Review. RVI shall provide DSW with (i) any Income Tax
Return to be prepared by RVI for DSW pursuant to the Tax & Accounting Services
at least twenty (20) days prior to the due date of such Tax Return or as is
otherwise consistent with past practice and (ii) any Non-Income Tax Return to be
prepared by RVI for DSW pursuant to the Tax & Accounting Services at least four
(4) days prior to the due date of such Tax Return or as is otherwise consistent
with past practice. DSW shall have the right to comment on any such Tax Return
and RVI shall reasonably consider all comments made by DSW.

            (c) Information. DSW shall timely provide all information reasonably
requested by RVI to prepare all Tax Returns, compute all estimated Tax payments
(for purposes of Section 7.01 of this Agreement) and perform the Tax &
Accounting Services, and all such information shall be provided in a manner
reasonably requested by RVI. RVI shall provide DSW with all Tax Returns prepared
for DSW pursuant to the Tax & Accounting Services and copies of any notices or
communications from any Taxing Authority relating to any Tax or Tax Return of
DSW or any DSW Affiliate covered by the Tax & Accounting Services. DSW shall
execute and deliver to RVI a power of attorney authorizing the appropriate RVI
employees to sign as "paid preparer" any Tax Return prepared by RVI for DSW
pursuant to the Tax & Accounting Services.

                                       10
<PAGE>

SECTION 3. LIABILITY FOR TAXES.

      3.01. DSW's Liability for Taxes. DSW and each DSW Affiliate shall be
jointly and severally liable for the following Taxes, and shall be entitled to
receive and retain all refunds of Taxes previously incurred by DSW, any DSW
Affiliate, or the DSW Business with respect to such Taxes:

            (a) all Taxes with respect to Tax Returns described in Section
2.01(a) of this Agreement to the extent that such Taxes are related to (i) the
DSW Separate Tax Liability or (ii) the DSW Business, for any taxable period;

            (b) all Taxes with respect to Tax Returns described in Section
2.01(c) of this Agreement;

            (c) all Taxes with respect to Tax Returns described in Section 2.02
of this Agreement;

            (d) all Taxes imposed by any Taxing Authority with respect to the
DSW Business, DSW or any DSW Affiliate (other than in connection with the
required filing of a Tax Return described in Sections 2.01(a), 2.01(c) or 2.02
of this Agreement) for any taxable period; and

            (e) all franchise or property Taxes imposed by any Taxing Authority
determined in whole or in part by reference to the value of DSW or the assets of
DSW or any DSW Affiliate for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on
or before December 31, 2006, but only to the extent that such value is
determined by such Taxing Authority to be greater than the amount reported on
the last applicable Tax Return filed before the IPO Date.

      3.02. RVI's Liability for Taxes. RVI shall be liable for the following
Taxes, and shall be entitled to receive and retain all refunds of Taxes
previously incurred by RVI, any RVI Affiliate, or the RVI Business with respect
to such Taxes:

            (a) except as provided in Section 3.01(a) of this Agreement, all
Taxes with respect to Tax Returns described in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement
for any taxable period;

            (b) all Taxes with respect to Tax Returns described in Sections
2.01(b) or 2.01(d) of this Agreement; and

            (c) all Taxes imposed by any Taxing Authority with respect to RVI,
any RVI Affiliate, or the RVI Business (other than in connection with the
required filing of a Tax Return described in Sections 2.01(a), 2.01(b), or
2.01(d) of this Agreement) for any taxable period.

      3.03. Taxes, Refunds and Credits. Notwithstanding Sections 3.01 and 3.02
of this Agreement, (i) RVI shall be liable for all Taxes incurred by any
Subsidiary with respect to the RVI Business for all periods and shall be
entitled to all refunds and credits of Taxes previously

                                       11
<PAGE>

incurred by any person with respect to such Taxes, and (ii) DSW and each DSW
Affiliate shall be jointly and severally liable for all Taxes incurred by any
RVI Subsidiary with respect to the DSW Business for all periods and shall be
entitled to all refunds and credits of Taxes previously incurred by any person
with respect to such Taxes. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as to
require compensation, by payment, credit, offset or otherwise, by RVI (or any
RVI Affiliate) to DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) for any loss, deduction, credit or
other Tax attribute arising in connection with, or related to, DSW, any DSW
Affiliate, or the DSW Business, that is shown on, or otherwise reflected with
respect to, any Tax Return described in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Taxes incurred
by RVI or RVI Affiliates with respect to the receipt by RVI or RVI Affiliates of
some or all of the proceeds derived from the IPO shall be solely the
responsibility of RVI. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement (other than Section 4 of this Agreement), DSW shall not be liable for,
and shall have no obligation under this Agreement in respect of, any Taxes
(other than Distribution Taxes pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement) arising
out of or relating to the exercise by any person of any warrant, option,
exchange right, conversion right or similar arrangement contemplated by the
letter of intent (and the accompanying term sheet), dated as of March 10, 2005,
by and among RVI, each of its Subsidiaries, and Cerberus Partners, L.P.

      3.04. Payment of Tax Liability. If one party is liable or responsible for
Taxes, under Sections 3.01 through 3.03 of this Agreement, with respect to Tax
Returns for which another party is responsible for filing, or with respect to
Taxes that are paid by another party, then the liable or responsible party shall
pay the Taxes (or a reimbursement of such Taxes) to the other party pursuant to
Section 7.05 of this Agreement.

      3.05. Computation. RVI shall provide DSW with a written calculation in
reasonable detail (including copies of all work sheets and other materials used
in preparation thereof) setting forth the amount of any DSW Separate Tax
Liability or estimated DSW Separate Tax Liability (for purposes of Section 7.01
of this Agreement) and any Taxes related to the DSW Business. DSW shall have the
right to review and comment on such calculation. Any dispute with respect to
such calculation shall be resolved pursuant to Section 10.03 of this Agreement;
provided, however, that, notwithstanding any dispute with respect to any such
calculation, in no event shall any payment attributable to the amount of any DSW
Separate Tax Liability or estimated DSW Separate Tax Liability be paid later
than the date provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.

SECTION 4. DISTRIBUTION TAXES AND DECONSOLIDATION.

      4.01. Distribution Taxes. Although neither party has any plan or intent to
effectuate a Distribution, the parties have set forth how certain Tax matters
with respect to a Distribution would be handled in the event that, as a result
of changed circumstances, a Distribution is pursued at some future time.

            (a) RVI's Liability for Distribution Taxes. In the event of a
Distribution, notwithstanding Sections 3.01 through 3.03 of this Agreement, RVI
and each RVI Affiliate shall be jointly and severally liable for any
Distribution Taxes, to the extent that such Distribution Taxes are attributable
to, caused by, or result from, one or more of the following:

                                       12
<PAGE>

               (i) any action or omission by RVI (or any RVI Affiliate)
inconsistent with any material, information, covenant or representation related
to RVI, any RVI Affiliate, or the RVI Business in an Officer's Certificate, Tax
Opinion, Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling Documents, Supplemental Ruling
Documents, Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling (for the avoidance of doubt,
disclosure of any action or fact that is inconsistent with any material,
information, covenant or representation submitted to Tax Counsel, the IRS, or
other Taxing Authority, as applicable, in connection with an Officer's
Certificate, Tax Opinion, Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling Documents,
Supplemental Ruling Documents, Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling shall not relieve
RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) of liability under this Agreement);

               (ii) any action or omission by RVI (or any RVI Affiliate),
including a cessation, transfer to affiliates, or disposition of its active
trades or businesses, or an issuance of stock, stock buyback or payment of an
extraordinary dividend by RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) following a Distribution;

               (iii) any acquisition of any stock or assets of RVI (or any RVI
Affiliate) by one or more other persons (other than DSW or a DSW Affiliate)
prior to or following a Distribution; or

               (iv) any issuance of stock by RVI (or any RVI Affiliate), or
change in ownership of stock in RVI (or any RVI Affiliate).

            (b) DSW's Liability for Distribution Taxes. In the event of a
Distribution, notwithstanding Sections 3.01 through 3.03 of this Agreement, DSW
and each DSW Affiliate shall be jointly and severally liable for any
Distribution Taxes, to the extent that such Distribution Taxes are attributable
to, caused by, or result from, one or more of the following:

               (i) any action or omission by DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) after a
Distribution at any time, that is inconsistent with any written representations
of an officer of DSW pursuant to Section 4.04(f) of this Agreement with respect
to any material, information, covenant or representation related to DSW, any DSW
Affiliate, or the DSW Business in an Officer's Certificate, Tax Opinion,
Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling Documents, Supplemental Ruling Documents,
Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling (for the avoidance of doubt, disclosure by DSW
(or any DSW Affiliate) to RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) of any action or fact that
is inconsistent with any material, information, covenant or representation
submitted to Tax Counsel, the IRS, or other Taxing Authority, as applicable, in
connection with an Officer's Certificate, Tax Opinion, Supplemental Tax Opinion,
Ruling Documents, Supplemental Ruling Documents, Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling
shall not relieve DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) of liability under this Agreement);

               (ii) any action or omission by DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) after
the date of a Distribution (including any act or omission that is in furtherance
of, connected to, or part of a plan or series of related transactions (within
the meaning of section 355(e) of the Code) occurring on or prior to the date of
a Distribution) including a cessation, transfer to affiliates or

                                       13
<PAGE>

disposition of the active trades or businesses of DSW (or any DSW Affiliate),
stock buyback or payment of an extraordinary dividend;

               (iii) any acquisition of any stock or assets of DSW (or any DSW
Affiliate) by one or more other persons (other than RVI or any RVI Affiliate)
prior to or following a Distribution; or

               (iv) any issuance of stock by DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) after a
Distribution, including any issuance pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options or other employment related arrangements or the exercise of warrants, or
change in ownership of stock in DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) after a Distribution.

            (c) Joint Liability for Remaining Distribution Taxes. RVI shall be
liable for a percentage of any Distribution Taxes (not otherwise allocated by
Sections 4.01(a) or (b)) equal to the quotient of (i) RVI's Market Valuation,
divided by (ii) the sum of (x) RVI's Market Valuation, and (y) DSW's Market
Valuation. DSW and each DSW Affiliate shall be jointly and severally liable for
a percentage of any Distribution Taxes (not otherwise allocated by Sections
4.01(a) or (b)) equal to the quotient of (i) DSW's Market Valuation, divided by
(ii) the sum of (x) RVI's Market Valuation, and (y) DSW's Market Valuation.

      4.02. Carrybacks.

            (a) In General. RVI agrees to pay to DSW the United States federal
income Tax Benefit from the use in any Pre-IPO Period (the "Carryback Period")
of a carryback of any Tax Asset of the DSW Group from a Post-IPO Period (other
than a carryback of any Tax Asset attributable to Distribution Taxes for which
the liability is borne by RVI or any RVI Affiliate). If subsequent to the
payment by RVI to DSW of the United States federal income Tax Benefit of a
carryback of a Tax Asset of the DSW Group, there shall be a Final Determination
which results in a (1) change to the amount of the Tax Asset so carried back or
(2) change to the amount of such United States federal income Tax Benefit, DSW
shall repay to RVI, or RVI shall repay to DSW, as the case may be, any amount
which would not have been payable to such other party pursuant to this Section
4.02(a) had the amount of the benefit been determined in light of these events.
Nothing in this Section 4.02(a) shall require RVI to file an amended Tax Return
or claim for refund of United States federal Income Taxes; provided, however,
that RVI shall use its reasonable efforts to use any carryback of a Tax Asset of
the DSW Group that is carried back under this Section 4.02(a).

            (b) Net Operating Losses. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, DSW hereby expressly agrees to elect (under section 172(b)(3) of
the Code and, to the extent feasible, any similar provision of any state, local
or foreign Tax law) to relinquish any right to carryback net operating losses to
any Pre-IPO Periods of RVI (in which event no payment shall be due from RVI to
DSW in respect of such net operating losses).

                                       14
<PAGE>

      4.03. Allocation of Tax Items. All Tax computations for (1) any Pre-IPO
Periods ending on the IPO Date and (2) the immediately following taxable period
of DSW or any DSW Affiliate, shall be made pursuant to the principles of section
1.1502-76(b) of the Treasury Regulations or of a corresponding provision under
the laws of other jurisdictions, as reasonably determined by RVI, taking into
account all reasonable suggestions made by DSW with respect thereto.

      4.04. Continuing Covenants.

            (a) In General. Each of RVI (for itself and each RVI Affiliate) and
DSW (for itself and each DSW Affiliate) agrees (1) not to take any action
reasonably expected to result in an increased Tax liability to the other, a
reduction in a Tax Asset of the other or an increased liability to the other
under this Agreement, and (2) to take any action reasonably requested by the
other that would reasonably be expected to result in a Tax Benefit or avoid a
Tax Detriment to the other, provided, in either such case, that the taking or
refraining to take such action does not result in any additional cost not fully
compensated for by the other party or any other adverse effect to such party.
The parties hereby acknowledge that the preceding sentence is not intended to
limit, and therefore shall not apply to, the rights of the parties with respect
to matters otherwise covered by this Agreement.

            (b) DSW Restrictions. DSW agrees that, until such time as the stock
of DSW owned by RVI and RVI Affiliates constitutes fifty percent (50%) or less
of the total combined voting power of all of the outstanding stock of DSW, DSW
(1) will not knowingly take or fail to take, or permit any DSW Affiliate to
knowingly take or fail to take, any action that could reasonably be expected to
preclude RVI's ability to effectuate a Distribution, and (2) will not issue any
stock of DSW (or any instrument that is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable
into any such stock) in an acquisition or public or private offering if,
immediately after such issuance, RVI would, or would reasonably be expected to,
not own stock of DSW that, on a fully diluted basis, constitutes "control"
(within the meaning of section 368(c) of the Code) of DSW. In the event of a
Distribution, DSW agrees that (1) it will take, or cause any DSW Affiliate to
take, any action reasonably requested by RVI in order to enable RVI to
effectuate a Distribution (including any internal restructuring necessary to
satisfy the active trade or business requirement of section 355(b) of the Code)
and (2) it will not take or fail to take, or permit any DSW Affiliate to take or
fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be
inconsistent with any written representations of an officer of DSW pursuant to
Section 4.04(f) of this Agreement with respect to any material, information,
covenant or representation that relates to facts or matters related to DSW, any
DSW Affiliate, or the DSW Business in an Officer's Certificate, Tax Opinion,
Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling Documents, Supplemental Ruling Documents,
Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling (except where such material, information,
covenant or representation was not previously disclosed to DSW) other than as
permitted by Section 4.04(d) of this Agreement. For this purpose an action is
considered inconsistent with a representation if the representation states that
there is no plan or intention to take such action. In the event of a
Distribution, DSW agrees that it will not take (and it will cause the DSW
Affiliates to refrain from taking) any position on a Tax Return that is
inconsistent with the treatment of a Distribution as tax-free transactions under
section 355 of the Code.

                                       15
<PAGE>

            (c) RVI Restrictions. In the event of a Distribution, RVI agrees
that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any RVI Affiliate to take or
fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be
inconsistent with any material, information, covenant or representation that
relates to facts or matters related to RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) or within the
control of RVI and is contained in an Officer's Certificate, Tax Opinion,
Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling Documents, Supplemental Ruling Documents,
Ruling, or Supplemental Ruling. For this purpose an action is considered
inconsistent with a representation if the representation states that there is no
plan or intention to take such action. In the event of a Distribution, RVI
agrees that it will not take (and it will cause the RVI Affiliates to refrain
from taking) any position on a Tax Return that is inconsistent with the
treatment of a Distribution as tax-free transactions under section 355 of the
Code.

            (d) Certain DSW Actions Following a Distribution. In the event of a
Distribution, DSW agrees that, during the two (2) year period following a
Distribution, without first obtaining, at DSW's own expense, either a
supplemental opinion from Tax Counsel that such action will not result in
Distribution Taxes (a "Supplemental Tax Opinion") or a Supplemental Ruling that
such action will not result in Distribution Taxes, unless in any such case RVI
and DSW agree otherwise, DSW shall not (1) sell all or substantially all of the
assets of DSW or any DSW Affiliate, (2) merge DSW, or any DSW Affiliate with
another entity, without regard to which party is the surviving entity, (3)
transfer any assets of DSW in a transaction described in section 351 (other than
a transfer to a corporation which files a Consolidated Return with DSW and which
is wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by DSW) or subparagraph (C) or (D) of
section 368(a)(1) of the Code, (4) issue stock of DSW or any DSW Affiliate (or
any instrument that is convertible or exchangeable into any such stock) in an
acquisition or public or private offering, or (5) facilitate or otherwise
participate in any acquisition of stock in DSW that would result in any
shareholder owning five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding stock of DSW.
DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) shall only undertake any of such actions after RVI's
receipt of such Supplemental Tax Opinion or Supplemental Ruling and pursuant to
the terms and conditions of any such Supplemental Tax Opinion or Supplemental
Ruling or as otherwise consented to in writing in advance by RVI. The parties
hereby agree that they will act in good faith to take all reasonable steps
necessary to amend this Section 4.04(d), from time to time, by mutual agreement,
to (i) add certain actions to the list contained herein, or (ii) remove certain
actions from the list contained herein, in either case, in order to reflect any
relevant change in law, regulation or administrative interpretation occurring
after the date of this Agreement.

            (e) Notice of Specified Transactions. Not later than thirty (30)
days prior to entering into any oral or written contract or agreement, and not
later than five (5) days after it first becomes aware of any negotiations, plan
or intention (regardless of whether it is a party to such negotiations, plan or
intention), regarding any of the transactions described in Section 4.04(d) of
this Agreement, DSW shall provide written notice of its intent to consummate
such transaction or the negotiations, plan or intention of which it becomes
aware, as the case may be, to RVI.

            (f) DSW Cooperation. DSW agrees that, at the request of RVI, DSW
shall cooperate fully with RVI to take any action necessary or reasonably
helpful to effectuate a

                                       16
<PAGE>

Distribution, including seeking to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a Tax
Opinion, Supplemental Tax Opinion, Ruling, and/or Supplemental Ruling. Such
cooperation shall include the execution of any documents that may be necessary
or reasonably helpful in connection with obtaining any Tax Opinion, Supplemental
Tax Opinion, Ruling, and/or Supplemental Ruling (including any (i) power of
attorney, (ii) Officer's Certificate, (iii) Ruling Documents, (iv) Supplemental
Rulings Documents, and/or (v) reasonably requested written representations
confirming that (a) DSW has read the Officer's Certificate, Ruling Documents,
and/or Supplemental Ruling Documents and (b) all information and
representations, if any, relating to DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) contained in the
Officer's Certificate, Ruling Documents, and/or Supplemental Ruling Documents
are true, correct and complete in all material respects).

      4.05. Allocation of Tax Assets. RVI shall advise DSW in writing within
ninety (90) days after the filing of the Consolidated Return for the taxable
year that includes the IPO Date of the allocation of any Tax Assets among RVI,
each RVI Affiliate, DSW, and each DSW Affiliate. The parties hereby agree that,
for purposes of determining such allocation, RVI shall be free to use any
legally permissible method of allocation reasonably determined by RVI in its
sole discretion. The parties hereby agree that in the absence of controlling
legal authority or unless otherwise provided under this Agreement, Tax Assets
shall be allocated in a manner reasonably determined by RVI in its sole
discretion.

SECTION 5. EMPLOYEE TAXES.

      5.01. In General. DSW and each DSW Affiliate shall be jointly and
severally liable for any and all Employment Taxes allocable pursuant to this
Section 5 to DSW or any of DSW Affiliate, and RVI and each RVI Affiliate shall
be jointly and severally liable for any and all Employment Taxes allocable
pursuant to this Section 5 to RVI or any of RVI Affiliate. Except as otherwise
provided in Sections 5.02 or 5.03 of this Agreement, (i) any and all Employment
Taxes attributable to any employee identified as an employee of DSW or any DSW
Affiliate on the applicable Tax Return in connection with state unemployment
taxes as filed shall be allocated to DSW, and (ii) any and all Employment Taxes
attributable to any employee identified as an employee of RVI or any RVI
Affiliate on the applicable Tax Return in connection with state unemployment
taxes as filed shall be allocated to DSW.

      5.02. Concurrent Employees. For periods after January 29, 2005, any and
all Employment Taxes attributable to any employee that provides concurrent
services to a member of the RVI Group and a member of the DSW Group shall be
allocated between the RVI Group and the DSW Group in the same manner as employee
costs for the applicable period are allocated pursuant to the terms of the
Shared Services Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.03 of this
Agreement, for periods prior to January 30, 2005, any and all Employment Taxes
attributable to any employee that provided concurrent services to a member of
the RVI Group and a member of the DSW Group shall be allocated between the RVI
Group and the DSW Group in a manner consistent with the corporate allocation
model utilized by RVI for the applicable period.

                                       17
<PAGE>

      5.03. Leased Employees. For periods prior to January 1, 2004, any and all
Employment Taxes attributable to any employee leased from Value City Department
Store Services, Inc. shall be allocated to company that leased such employee;
provided, however, that, if such employee provided concurrent services to a
member of the RVI Group and a member of the DSW Group, Employment Taxes
attributable to such employee shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by the RVI
Group and fifty percent (50%) by the DSW Group.

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION.

      6.01. In General. RVI and each member of the RVI Group shall jointly and
severally indemnify DSW, each DSW Affiliate, and their respective directors,
officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and against any and all
Taxes for which RVI or any RVI Affiliate is liable under this Agreement and any
loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs,
that is attributable to, or results from, the failure of RVI, any RVI Affiliate
or any director, officer or employee to make any payment required to be made
under this Agreement. DSW and each member of the DSW Group shall jointly and
severally indemnify RVI, each RVI Affiliate, and their respective directors,
officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and against any and all
Taxes for which DSW or any DSW Affiliate is liable under this Agreement and any
loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs,
that is attributable to, or results from, the failure of DSW, any DSW Affiliate
or any director, officer or employee to make any payment required to be made
under this Agreement.

      6.02. Inaccurate or Incomplete Information. RVI and each member of the RVI
Group shall jointly and severally indemnify DSW, each DSW Affiliate, and their
respective directors, officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and
against any cost, fine, penalty, or other expense of any kind attributable to
the failure of RVI or any RVI Affiliate in supplying DSW or any DSW Affiliate
with inaccurate or incomplete information, in connection with the preparation of
any Tax Return. DSW and each member of the DSW Group shall jointly and severally
indemnify RVI, each RVI Affiliate, and their respective directors, officers and
employees, and hold them harmless from and against any cost, fine, penalty, or
other expenses of any kind attributable to the failure of DSW or any DSW
Affiliate in supplying RVI or any RVI Affiliate with inaccurate or incomplete
information, in connection with the preparation of any Tax Return.

      6.03. No Indemnification for Tax Items. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as a guarantee of the existence or amount of any loss, credit,
carryforward, basis or other Tax Item, whether past, present or future, of RVI,
any RVI Affiliate, DSW or any DSW Affiliate. In addition, for the avoidance of
doubt, for purposes of determining any amount owed between the parties hereto,
all such determinations shall be made without regard to any financial accounting
tax asset or liability or other financial accounting items.

                                       18
<PAGE>

SECTION 7. PAYMENTS.

      7.01. Estimated Tax Payments. Not later than ten (10) business days prior
to each Estimated Tax Installment Date with respect to a taxable period for
which a Consolidated Return or a Combined Return will be filed, DSW shall pay to
RVI on behalf of the DSW Group an amount equal to the amount of any estimated
DSW Separate Tax Liability that DSW otherwise would have been required to pay to
a Taxing Authority on such Estimated Tax Installment Date.

      7.02. True-Up Payments. Not later than ten (10) business days after
completion of a Tax Return, DSW shall pay to RVI, or RVI shall pay to DSW, as
appropriate, an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the DSW Separate
Tax Liability and the aggregate amount paid by DSW with respect to such period
under Section 7.01 of this Agreement.

      7.03. Redetermination Amounts. In the event of a redetermination of any
Tax Item reflected on any Consolidated Return or Combined Return (other than Tax
Items relating to Distribution Taxes), as a result of a refund of Taxes paid, a
Final Determination or any settlement or compromise with any Taxing Authority
which in any such case would affect the DSW Separate Tax Liability, RVI shall
prepare a revised pro forma Tax Return in accordance with Section 2.04(b) of
this Agreement for the relevant taxable period reflecting the redetermination of
such Tax Item as a result of such refund, Final Determination, settlement or
compromise. DSW shall pay to RVI, or RVI shall pay to DSW, as appropriate, an
amount equal to the difference, if any, between the DSW Separate Tax liability
reflected on such revised pro forma Tax Return and the DSW Separate Tax
liability for such period as originally computed pursuant to this Agreement.

      7.04. Payments of Refunds and Credits. If one party receives a refund or
credit of any Tax to which the other party is entitled pursuant to Section 3.03
of this Agreement, the party receiving such refund or credit shall pay to the
other party the amount of such refund or credit pursuant to Section 7.05 of this
Agreement.

      7.05. Payments Under This Agreement. In the event that one party (the
"Owing Party") is required to make a payment to another party (the "Owed Party")
pursuant to this Agreement, then such payments shall be made according to this
Section 7.05.

            (a) In General. All payments shall be made to the Owed Party or to
the appropriate Taxing Authority as specified by the Owed Party within the time
prescribed for payment in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, within
ten (10) days after delivery of written notice of payment owing together with a
computation of the amounts due.

            (b) Treatment of Payments. Unless otherwise required by any Final
Determination, the parties agree that any payments made by one party to another
party pursuant to this Agreement (other than (i) payments for Tax Services
pursuant to Section 2.05 of this Agreement, (ii) payments for the DSW Separate
Tax Liability for any Post-IPO Period, (iii) payments of interest pursuant to
Section 7.05(e) of this Agreement, and (iv) payments of After Tax Amounts
pursuant to Section 7.05(d) of this Agreement) shall be treated for all Tax and
financial accounting purposes as nontaxable payments (dividend distributions or
capital contributions, as the case may be) made immediately prior to the IPO
and, accordingly, as not includible in the taxable income of the recipient or as
deductible by the payor.

                                       19
<PAGE>

            (c) Prompt Performance. All actions required to be taken (including
payments) by any party under this Agreement shall be performed within the time
prescribed for performance in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed,
such actions shall be performed promptly.

            (d) After Tax Amounts. If pursuant to a Final Determination it is
determined that the receipt or accrual of any payment made under this Agreement
(other than (i) payments for Tax & Accounting Services pursuant to Section 2.05
of this Agreement, and (ii) payments of interest pursuant to Section 7.05(e) of
this Agreement) is subject to any Tax, the party making such payment shall be
liable for (a) the After Tax Amount with respect to such payment and (b)
interest at the rate described in Section 7.05(e) of this Agreement on the
amount of such Tax from the date such Tax accrues through the date of payment of
such After Tax Amount. A party making a demand for a payment pursuant to this
Agreement and for a payment of an After Tax Amount with respect to such payment
shall separately specify and compute such After Tax Amount. However, a party may
choose not to specify an After Tax Amount in a demand for payment pursuant to
this Agreement without thereby being deemed to have waived its right
subsequently to demand an After Tax Amount with respect to such payment. The
amount that DSW shall be liable for any and all payments for the DSW Separate
Tax Liability for any Post-IPO Period shall be increased by the After Tax Amount
with respect to such payment and decreased by the corresponding Tax Benefit, if
any, to RVI attributable to such DSW Separate Tax Liability.

            (e) Interest. Payments pursuant to this Agreement that are not made
within the period prescribed in this Agreement (the "Payment Period") shall bear
interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the
last date of the Payment Period through and including the date of payment at a
per annum rate equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal
on the last day of such Payment Period, plus five percent (5%). Such interest
will be payable at the same time as the payment to which it relates and shall be
calculated on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days and the
actual number of days for which due.

SECTION 8. TAX PROCEEDINGS.

      8.01. In General. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) with
respect to Tax Returns described in Sections 2.01(a), 2.01(b), or 2.01(d) of
this Agreement, RVI and (ii) with respect to Tax Returns described in Sections
2.01(c) or 2.02 of this Agreement, DSW (in either case, the "Controlling
Party"), shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to control,
contest, and represent the interests of RVI, any RVI Affiliate, DSW, and/or any
DSW Affiliate in any Audit relating to such Tax Return and to resolve, settle or
agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or assessed in
connection with or as a result of any such Audit. The Controlling Party's rights
shall extend to any matter pertaining to the management and control of an Audit,
including execution of waivers, choice of forum, scheduling of conferences and
the resolution of any Tax Item. Any costs incurred in handling, settling, or
contesting an Audit shall be borne by the Controlling Party.

                                       20
<PAGE>

      8.02. Participation of non-Controlling Party. Except as otherwise provided
in Section 8.04 of this Agreement, the non-Controlling Party shall, at its own
expense, have control over decisions to resolve, settle or otherwise agree to
any deficiency, claim or adjustment with respect to any Sole Responsibility
Item. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.04 of this Agreement, the
Controlling Party, at its own expense, and the non-Controlling Party, at its own
expense, shall have joint control over decisions to resolve, settle or otherwise
agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment with respect to any Joint
Responsibility Item. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.04 of this
Agreement, the Controlling Party shall not settle any Audit it controls
concerning a Tax Item on a basis that would reasonably be expected to adversely
affect the non-Controlling Party by at least one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars ($150,000) without obtaining such non-Controlling Party's consent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed if failure to
consent would adversely affect the Controlling Party.

      8.03. Notice. Within ten (10) days after a party becomes aware of the
existence of a Tax issue that may give rise to an indemnification obligation
under this Agreement, such party shall give notice to the other party of such
issue (such notice shall contain factual information, to the extent known,
describing any asserted tax liability in reasonable detail), and shall forward
to the other party copies of all notices and material communications with any
Taxing Authority relating to such issue. Notwithstanding any provision in
Section 10.15 of this Agreement to the contrary, if a party to this Agreement
fails to provide the other party notice as required by this Section 8.03, and
the failure results in a detriment to the other party then any amount which the
other party is otherwise required to pay pursuant to this Agreement shall be
reduced by the amount of such detriment.

      8.04. Control of Distribution Tax Proceedings. In the event of a
Distribution, RVI shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to
control, contest, and represent the interests of RVI, any RVI Affiliate, DSW,
and/or any DSW Affiliate in any Audits relating to Distribution Taxes and to
resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed,
asserted or assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Audit;
provided, however, that RVI shall not settle any such audit with respect to
Distribution Taxes with a Taxing Authority in exchange for a settlement on an
issue or issues unrelated to such Distribution Taxes that would reasonably be
expected to result in a material Tax cost to DSW or any DSW Affiliate (including
as a result of an indemnification obligation pursuant to this Agreement),
without the prior consent of DSW, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed. RVI's rights shall extend to any matter
pertaining to the management and control of such Audit, including execution of
waivers, choice of forum, scheduling of conferences and the resolution of any
Tax Item; provided, however, that to the extent that DSW is obligated to bear at
least fifty percent (50%) of the liability for any Distribution Taxes under
Section 4.01 of this Agreement, RVI and DSW shall have joint control over
decisions to resolve, settle or otherwise agree to any deficiency, claim or
adjustment. DSW may assume sole control of any Audits relating to Distribution
Taxes if it acknowledges in writing that it has sole liability for any
Distribution Taxes under Section 4.01(b) of this Agreement that might arise in
such Audit and can demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of RVI that it can
satisfy its liability for any such Distribution Taxes. If DSW is unable to
demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of RVI that it will be able to
satisfy

                                       21
<PAGE>

its liability for such Distribution Taxes, but acknowledges in writing that it
has sole liability for any Distribution Taxes under Section 4.01(b) of this
Agreement, DSW and RVI shall have joint control over the Audit.

SECTION 9. STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.

      9.01. In General. The parties hereto agree that RVI shall be entitled to
any Tax Benefit arising by reason of exercises of Options to purchase shares of
RVI stock, and that DSW shall be entitled to any Tax Benefit arising by reason
of exercises of Options to purchase shares of DSW stock. In addition, RVI shall
be entitled to any Tax Benefit arising by reason of the lapse of any
restrictions with respect to shares of RVI stock subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture (within the meaning of section 83 of the Code), and DSW shall be
entitled to any Tax Benefit arising by reason of the lapse of any restrictions
with respect to shares of DSW stock subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture
(within the meaning of section 83 of the Code). The parties hereto agree to
report all Tax deductions with respect to Options and other equity issued to
their employees consistently with this Section 9.01, to the extent permitted by
the Tax law.

      9.02. Notices, Withholding, Reporting. RVI shall promptly notify DSW of
any post-IPO Date event giving rise to income to any DSW Group employees or
former employees in connection with exercises of Options to purchase shares of
RVI stock or the lapse of any restrictions with respect to shares of RVI stock
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of section 83 of
the Code). If required by the Tax law, DSW shall withhold applicable Taxes and
satisfy applicable Tax reporting obligations in connection therewith.

      9.03. Adjustments. If DSW or any DSW Affiliate as a result of a Final
Determination or any settlement or compromise with any Taxing Authority receives
any Tax Benefit to which RVI is entitled under Section 9.01 of this Agreement,
DSW shall pay the amount of such Tax Benefit to RVI. If RVI or any RVI Affiliate
as a result of a Final Determination or any settlement or compromise with any
Taxing Authority receives any Tax Benefit to which DSW is entitled under Section
9.01 of this Agreement, RVI shall pay the amount of such Tax Benefit to DSW.

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

      10.01. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon execution
by the parties hereto.

      10.02. Cooperation and Exchange of Information.

            (a) Cooperation. DSW and RVI shall each cooperate fully (and each
shall cause its respective affiliates to cooperate fully) with all reasonable
requests from another party for information and materials not otherwise
available to the requesting party in connection with the preparation and filing
of Tax Returns, claims for refund, and Audits concerning issues or other matters
covered by this Agreement or in connection with the determination of a liability
for Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes. Such cooperation shall include:

                                       22
<PAGE>

               (i) the retention until the expiration of the applicable statute
of limitations, and the provision upon reasonable request, of copies of all Tax
Returns, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis
of property), documentation and other information relating to the Tax Returns,
including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to
rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities;

               (ii) the execution of any document that may be necessary or
reasonably helpful in connection with any Tax Proceeding, or the filing of a Tax
Return or refund claim by a member of the RVI Group or the DSW Group, including
certification, to the best of a party's knowledge, of the accuracy and
completeness of the information it has supplied; and

               (iii) the use of the party's reasonable best efforts to obtain
any documentation that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with
any of the foregoing. Each party shall make its employees and facilities
available on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the
foregoing matters.

            (b) Retention of Records. Any party that is in possession of
documentation of RVI (or any RVI Affiliate) or DSW (or any DSW Affiliate)
relating to the DSW Business, including books, records, Tax Returns and all
supporting schedules and information relating thereto (the "DSW Business
Records") shall retain such DSW Business Records for a period of seven (7) years
following the IPO Date. Thereafter, any party wishing to dispose of DSW Business
Records in its possession (after the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations), shall provide written notice to the other party describing the
documentation proposed to be destroyed or disposed of sixty (60) business days
prior to taking such action. The other party may arrange to take delivery of any
or all of the documentation described in the notice at its expense during the
succeeding sixty (60) day period.

      10.03. Dispute Resolution. In the event that RVI and DSW disagree as to
the amount or calculation of any payment to be made under this Agreement, or the
interpretation or application of any provision under this Agreement, the parties
shall attempt in good faith to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not
resolved within sixty (60) business days following the commencement of the
dispute, RVI and DSW shall jointly retain an Independent Firm, to resolve the
dispute. The Independent Firm shall act as an arbitrator to resolve all points
of disagreement and its decision shall be final and binding upon all parties
involved. Following the decision of the Independent Firm, RVI and DSW shall each
take or cause to be taken any action necessary to implement the decision of the
Independent Firm. The fees and expenses relating to the Independent Firm shall
be borne equally by RVI and DSW, except that if the Independent Firm determines
that the position advanced by either party is frivolous, has not been asserted
in good faith or for which there is not substantial authority, one hundred
percent (100%) of the fees and expenses of the Independent Firm shall be borne
by such party. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
dispute resolution provisions set forth in this Section 10.03 shall not be
applicable to any disagreement between the parties relating to Distribution
Taxes and any such dispute shall be settled in a court of law or as otherwise
agreed to by the parties.

                                       23
<PAGE>

      10.04. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon (a) a
transmitter's confirmation of a receipt of a facsimile transmission (but only if
followed by confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier the following
business day or if delivered by hand the following business day), (b) confirmed
delivery of a standard overnight courier or when delivered by hand or (c) the
expiration of five (5) business days after the date mailed by certified or
registered mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties at
the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):

            If to RVI or any RVI Affiliate, to the Vice President of Corporate
Tax of RVI, with a copy to the General Counsel of RVI and the Controller of RVI,
at:

              Retail Ventures, Inc.
              3241 Westerville Road
              Columbus, OH 43224

            If to DSW or any DSW Affiliate, to the Chief Financial Officer of
DSW, with a copy to the General Counsel of DSW and the Controller of DSW, at:

              DSW, Inc.
              4150 East 5th Avenue
              Columbus, OH 43219

Either party may, by written notice to the other parties, change the address or
the party to which any notice, request, instruction or other documents is to be
delivered.

      10.05. Changes in Law.

            (a) Any reference to a provision of the Code or a law of another
jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or
law.

            (b) If, due to any change in applicable law or regulations or their
interpretation by any court of law or other governing body having jurisdiction
subsequent to the date of this Agreement, performance of any provision of this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated thereby shall become impracticable or
impossible, the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts
to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the
same result as that contemplated by such provision.

      10.06. Confidentiality. Each party shall hold and cause its directors,
officers, employees, advisors and consultants to hold in strict confidence,
unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the
opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information (other
than any such information relating solely to the business or affairs of such
party) concerning the other parties hereto furnished it by such other party or
its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such
information can be shown to have been (1) in the public domain through no fault
of such party or (2) later lawfully acquired from other sources not under a duty
of confidentiality by the party to which it was furnished), and each

                                       24
<PAGE>

party shall not release or disclose such information to any other person, except
its directors, officers, employees, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors,
bankers and other consultants who shall be advised of and agree to be bound by
the provisions of this Section 10.06. Each party shall be deemed to have
satisfied its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied
by the other party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve
confidentiality for its own similar information.

      10.07. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit and detriment of any successor, by merger, acquisition of assets or
otherwise, to any of the parties hereto, to the same extent as if such successor
had been an original party.

      10.08. Affiliates. RVI shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees
the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to
be performed by any RVI Affiliate, and DSW shall cause to be performed, and
hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations
set forth herein to be performed by any DSW Affiliate; provided, however, that
(1) if it is contemplated that a DSW Affiliate may cease to be a DSW Affiliate
as a result of a transfer of its stock or other ownership interests to a third
party then (a) DSW shall request in writing no later than thirty (30) days prior
to such cessation that RVI consent (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed) to the execution of a release of such DSW
Affiliate from its obligations under this Agreement effective as of such
transfer provided that DSW shall have confirmed in writing its obligations and
the obligations of its remaining DSW Affiliates with respect to their own
obligations and those of the departing DSW Affiliate and that such departing DSW
Affiliate shall have executed a release of any rights it may have against RVI or
any RVI Affiliate by reason of this Agreement, or (b) DSW shall acknowledge in
writing no later than thirty (30) days prior to such cessation that it shall
bear one hundred percent (100%) of the liability for the obligations of DSW and
each DSW Affiliate (including the departing DSW Affiliate) under this Agreement,
and (2) if it is contemplated that an RVI Affiliate may cease to be an RVI
Affiliate as a result of a transfer of its stock or other ownership interests to
a third party then (a) RVI shall request in writing no later than thirty (30)
days prior to such cessation that DSW consent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to the execution of a release of
such RVI Affiliate from its obligations under this Agreement effective as of
such transfer provided that RVI shall have confirmed in writing its obligations
and the obligations of its remaining RVI Affiliates with respect to their own
obligations and the obligations of the departing RVI Affiliate and that such
departing RVI Affiliate shall have executed a release of any rights it may have
against DSW or any DSW Affiliate by reason of this Agreement, or (b) RVI shall
acknowledge in writing no later than thirty (30) days prior to such cessation
that it shall bear one hundred percent (100%) of the liability for the
obligations of RVI and each RVI Affiliate (including the departing RVI
Affiliate) under this Agreement. If at any time (1) RVI shall, directly or
indirectly, obtain beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
total combined voting power of any other entity, RVI shall cause such entity to
become a party to this Agreement by executing together with DSW an agreement in
substantially the same form as set forth in Schedule 10.08 and such entity shall
have all rights and obligations of an RVI Affiliate under this Agreement, and
(2) DSW shall, directly or indirectly, obtain beneficial ownership of more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of any other entity, DSW
shall cause such entity to become a party to this Agreement by executing
together with RVI an agreement in substantially the same

                                       25
<PAGE>

form as set forth in Schedule 10.08 and such entity shall have all rights and
obligations of an DSW Affiliate under this Agreement.

      10.09. Authorization, Etc. Each of the parties hereto hereby represents
and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of such party, that this Agreement constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of each such party and that the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not contravene or
conflict with any provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or any agreement,
instrument or order binding on such party.

      10.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior tax sharing agreements between RVI (or any RVI Affiliate)
and DSW (or any DSW Affiliate) and such prior tax sharing agreements shall have
no further force and effect. If, and to the extent, the provisions of this
Agreement conflict with any agreement entered into in connection with the
Distribution, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

      10.11. Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY (i) AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND ALL DISPUTES, CONTROVERSIES OR CLAIMS ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY
HEREOF SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO, EXCLUDING ITS
CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES, (ii) AGREES TO BE SUBJECT TO, AND HEREBY CONSENTS AND
SUBMITS TO, THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF OHIO AND OF THE
FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF OHIO, (iii) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS
NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO, HEREBY
APPOINTS THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, AS SUCH PARTY'S AGENT IN THE STATE OF
OHIO FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND (iv) AGREES THAT SERVICE MADE ON ANY
SUCH AGENT SET FORTH IN (iii) ABOVE SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT
AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF OHIO.

      10.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

      10.13. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant, or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction (or an arbitrator or
arbitration panel) to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in
full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or
invalidated. In the event that any such term, provision, covenant or restriction
is held to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall use their
best efforts to find and employ an alternate means to achieve the same or
substantially the same result as that contemplated by such terms, provisions,
covenant, or restriction.

                                       26
<PAGE>

      10.14. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the
benefit of RVI, the RVI Affiliates, DSW and the DSW Affiliates. This Agreement
should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability,
reimbursement, cause of action or other rights in excess of those existing
without this Agreement.

      10.15. Waivers, Etc. No failure or delay on the part of a party in
exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or
power. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor consent
to any departure by the parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless
the same shall be in writing, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.

      10.16. Setoff. All payments to be made by any party under this Agreement
may be netted against payments due to such party under this Agreement, but
otherwise shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or withholding, all of
which are hereby expressly waived.

      10.17. Other Remedies. DSW recognizes that any failure by it or any DSW
Affiliate to comply with its obligations under Section 4 of this Agreement
would, in the event of a Distribution, result in Distribution Taxes that would
cause irreparable harm to RVI, RVI Affiliates, and their stockholders.
Accordingly, RVI shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which RVI is
entitled at law or in equity.

      10.18. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified
or supplemented only by a written agreement signed by all of the parties hereto.

      10.19. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally waives all right to trial by jury in any litigation, claim,
action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or counterclaim
(whether based in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereto in the negotiation,
administration, performance and enforcement thereof.

      10.20. Interpretations. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation." The words "hereof," "herein" and "herewith" and
words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement,
and article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the
articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless
otherwise specified. The meaning assigned to each term defined herein shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term, and
words denoting any gender shall include all genders. Where a word or phrase is
defined herein, each of its other grammatical forms shall have a corresponding
meaning. The

                                       27
<PAGE>

parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation
arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties,
and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any
party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

                                       28
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above
written.

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                              on behalf of itself and each of the RVI Affiliates

                              By: /s/ James A. McGrady
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                              Name: James A. McGrady
                              Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                     Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

                              DSW INC.
                              on behalf of itself and each of the DSW Affiliates

                              By: /s/ Douglas J. Probst
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                              Name: Douglas J. Probst
                              Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                     Officer and Treasurer

                                       29
<PAGE>

                                                                  SCHEDULE 10.08

      WHEREAS, [RVI/DSW], an Ohio corporation ("[RVI/DSW]"), owns, directly or
indirectly, [all/more than 50%] of the outstanding stock or interests in the
undersigned;

      WHEREAS, the undersigned is not a party to that certain Tax Separation
Agreement, dated as of [DATE], by and among RVI, each RVI Affiliate, DSW and
each DSW Affiliate (as defined therein) (the "Agreement"); and

      WHEREAS, the undersigned, RVI and DSW desire to have the undersigned
become a party to the Agreement and to have all rights and obligations of a
party to the Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of mutual obligations and undertakings
contained in the Agreement, the parties agree that the undersigned shall become
a party to the Agreement and shall have all rights and obligations of a party to
the Agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement on the dates
accompanying their respective signatures, but effective as of ___.

RETAIL VENTURES, INC.

By:    ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
Dated: ________________________________

DSW
INC.

By:    ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
Dated: ________________________________

[NAME]

By:    ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
Dated: ________________________________<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.4

                               EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

      This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT, dated as of July 5, 2005 (this "Agreement"), is
made and entered into by and between Retail Ventures, Inc., an Ohio corporation
(the "Company"), and DSW Inc., an Ohio corporation ("DSW"). Capitalized terms
used herein and not defined shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Master Separation Agreement between the Company and DSW, dated as
of July 5, 2005 (the " Separation Agreement").

                                    RECITALS

      WHEREAS, the Company is the beneficial owner of all the issued and
outstanding common shares of DSW;

      WHEREAS, the Company and DSW currently contemplate that DSW will make an
initial public offering ("IPO") of an amount of its Class A common shares, no
par value per share, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "IPO Registration Statement");

      WHEREAS, the Company and DSW currently contemplate that DSW will amend its
articles of incorporation prior to the IPO so that the 410.09 outstanding common
shares of DSW will be changed into 27,702,667 Class B common shares of DSW;

      WHEREAS, the Company and DSW will derive mutual benefit from the IPO;

      WHEREAS, in order to consummate the IPO, the Company will need to obtain
the consent of Cerberus Partners, L.P. ("Cerberus");

      WHEREAS, in exchange for Cerberus' consent to the IPO, Cerberus requires
that certain warrants held by it, Schottenstein Stores Corporation ("SSC") and
Back Bay Capital Funding LLC ("Back Bay" and, together with Cerberus and SSC,
the "Lenders") be amended to provide the Lenders the right from time to time,
either to (i) acquire common shares of the Company or (ii) acquire from the
Company Class A common shares of DSW at the price of shares to the public in the
IPO (the "Amended Warrants");

      WHEREAS, in exchange for Cerberus' consent to the IPO, Cerberus requires
that new warrants be issued by the Company to SSC and Cerberus under which SSC
and Cerberus have, from time to time, the right either to (i) acquire common
shares of the Company or (ii) acquire from the Company Class A common shares of
DSW at a strike price equal to the price of the shares offered and sold to the
public in the IPO (the "New Warrants");

      WHEREAS, in order to enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under
the terms of the Amended Warrants and the New Warrants and for other purposes of
the Company unrelated to the exercise of the Amended Warrants and the New
Warrants, DSW shall be required to deliver Class A common shares to the Company
upon receipt

<PAGE>

of an Exchange Request (as hereinafter defined) made by the Company on the terms
and conditions set forth herein; and

      WHEREAS, the Company and DSW intend in this Agreement to set forth the
principal arrangements between them regarding the mechanism by which, after the
IPO, the Company can exchange with DSW all, or a portion of, the Class B common
shares of DSW held by the Company for Class A common shares of DSW;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms,
conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, the Company and DSW
mutually covenant and agree as follows:

      I. Issuance of Common Stock upon Exchange. In the event that the Company
makes a request to DSW (such request, an "Exchange Request"), to exchange all,
or a portion of its Class B common shares of DSW for Class A common shares of
DSW, DSW covenants and agrees to issue, at the time of such exchange, a number
of Class A common shares sufficient to satisfy the terms of the exchange as set
forth in this Agreement. Such request shall be in writing and state the number
of Class B common shares to be exchanged.

      II. Exchange. The Company may exchange with DSW the Company's Class B
common shares of DSW, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, at any
time, for an equal number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable Class A common shares of DSW. The Company shall not be limited in
the number of Exchange Requests it is entitled to make.

      III. Procedure for Exchange. In order to exercise the exchange right
provided in Section II of this Agreement, the Company shall surrender the
certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class B common shares to
be exchanged, duly endorsed in blank, to the Secretary of DSW, accompanied by
written notice addressed to DSW specifying the number (in whole shares) of such
Class B common shares evidenced by such certificate or certificates to be
exchanged and the name or names in which the Company wishes the certificate or
certificates for the Class A common shares to be issued. Each exercise of this
exchange right shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the
close of business on the business day on which such notice and the certificates
representing the shares of Class B common shares to be exchanged shall have been
surrendered to the Secretary of DSW and, to the extent permitted by law, at such
time the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or
certificates for the Class A common shares are to be issued shall be deemed to
have become the holder or holders of record thereof for all purposes. As
promptly as practicable after the surrender of such Class B common shares as
aforesaid, but in any event not later than the second business day after such
surrender, DSW shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company or to such
person as may be designated by the Company, a certificate or certificates for
the number of whole Class A common shares issuable upon the exchange of such
shares of Class B common shares in accordance with the provisions hereof and any
cash payment

                                       2
<PAGE>

in lieu of any fractional shares of Class A common shares, as provided in
Section IV. DSW shall issue certificates for the balance of any remaining Class
B common shares in any case in which fewer than all of the Class B common shares
represented by a certificate are exchanged.

      IV. Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A common shares or securities
representing fractional Class A common shares shall be issued upon exchange of
Class B common shares. Instead of any fractional Class A common shares which
would otherwise be deliverable upon the exchange of a share of Class B common
shares, DSW shall pay to the person or persons to whom any such share would
otherwise be delivered a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional interest
in an amount (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the value of such
fractional Class A common shares based upon the current market price.

      V. Accredited Investor. At any time Class A common shares of DSW are
issued pursuant to an Exchange Request, the Company or such person as may be
designated by the Company to receive such Class A common shares shall be an
"accredited investor" as such term is defined in Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") and all of the terms
and conditions of Rule 502 promulgated under the Act shall be satisfied.

      VI. Certificates to be Legended. The Company understands and agrees that
each certificate representing Class A common shares issued pursuant to this
Agreement will bear a legend on the face thereof (or on the reverse thereof with
a reference to such legend on the face thereof) in substantially the form set
forth below:

           THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
           UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE
           ENCUMBERED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED OR
           OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
           STATEMENT FOR THE SHARES UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
           SATISFACTORY IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE TO DSW AND CONCURRED IN BY DSW'S
           COUNSEL TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER
           SAID ACT OR SUCH TRANS-ACTION COMPLIES WITH RULES PROMULGATED BY THE
           SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION UNDER SAID ACT.

      VII. Authorization and Reservation of Class A common shares. DSW has taken
all action to authorize the issuance and reserve for issuance the number of
Class A common shares of DSW sufficient to cover the Class A common shares that
may be is-

                                       3
<PAGE>

sued upon the exchange of the Class B common shares of DSW, with all such Class
A Common Shares issued upon conversion of such Class B common shares to be fully
paid and non-assessable Class A common shares of DSW.

      VIII. Notices. Notices, offers, requests or other communications required
or permitted to be given by either party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall be given in writing to the respective Parties to the following addresses:

if to Retail Ventures:

Retail Ventures, Inc.
3241 Westerville Road
Columbus, OH 43223
Attention: James A. McGrady, Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (614) 473-2721

with a copy to:

Julia A. Davis, General Counsel
3241 Westerville Road
Columbus, OH 43223
Fax: (614) 337-4682

if to DSW:

DSW Inc.
4150 East 5th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
Attention: Peter Z. Horvath, Chief Operating Officer
Fax: (614) 238-4207

with a copy to:

Julia A. Davis, General Counsel
3241 Westerville Road
Columbus, OH 43223
Fax: (614) 337-4682

or to such other address or facsimile number as the party to whom notice is
given may have previously furnished to the other in writing as provided herein.
Any notice involving non-performance, termination, or renewal shall be sent by
hand delivery, recognized overnight courier or, within the United States, may
also be sent via certified mail, return

                                       4
<PAGE>

receipt requested. All other notices may also be sent by facsimile, confirmed by
first class mail. All notices shall be deemed to have been given when received,
if hand delivered; when transmitted, if transmitted by facsimile or similar
electronic transmission method; one working day after it is sent, if sent by
recognized overnight courier; and three days after it is postmarked, if mailed
first class mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage
prepaid.

      IX. Amendments. This Agreement may only be amended by a written agreement
executed by both the Company and DSW.

      X. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable
best efforts to do all things necessary or advisable to make effective the
transactions contemplated hereby and shall cooperate and take such action as may
be reasonably requested by the other party in order to carry out fully the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

      XI. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

      XII. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any other writing signed by the
Company and DSW that specifically references or is specifically related to this
Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the Company and DSW with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements,
understandings and negotiations, both written and oral, between the Company and
DSW with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is not intended to
confer upon any person other than the Company and DSW as or remedies hereunder.

      XIII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the substantive internal laws of the State of Ohio applicable to
contracts to be wholly performed in the State of Ohio.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                       5
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

                                          Retail Ventures, Inc.,
                                          an Ohio corporation

                                          By: /s/ James A. McGrady
                                              --------------------------------
                                          Name: James A. McGrady
                                          Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                 Chief Financial Officer,
                                                 Treasurer and Secretary

                                          DSW Inc.,
                                          an Ohio corporation

                                          By: /s/ Douglas J. Probst
                                              --------------------------------
                                          Name: Douglas J. Probst
                                          Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
                                                 Financial Officer and Treasurer

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