Federated

Federated Department Stores Inc. (Cincinnati) has reported a 1.9 percent increase in total sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 1, 2005. Same-store sales were up 2.3 percent.

For the year to date, Federated’s sales are up 2.6 percent and same-store sales are up 2.7 percent.

Chairman, president and ceo Terry Lundgren said the department store retailer was pleased with its December sales performance, which was within the forecast range of a 1 – 3 percent same-store sales increase in the period. Federated said it anticipates January same-store sales that are in the range of up 1 percent – down 1 percent, with fourth quarter same-store sales that are up 0.5 percent – 1 percent.