Investor Contact:
Russell Solt, Venture Stores, Inc.
(314) 281-7800

Media Contact:
Randy Myers or Tom Goyda, Shandwick
(314) 436-6565

For Immediate Release :

O'Fallon, MO, December 4, 1997 -- Venture Stores, Inc. today reported that same-store sales for the four weeks ended November 22, 1997 decreased 4.3 percent compared with the four weeks ended November 23, 1996. Total sales for November 1997 were $101.8 million. Venture's November sales results in 1996 and 1997 do not reflect the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, since neither period included Thanksgiving weekend sales.

"Venture entered the 1997 holiday season with a solid in-stock position, putting us in good shape for this important selling period," said Robert N. Wildrick, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our stable sales trend in November and October's same-store sales gain reflected the continuing rebound in key apparel categories and another month of strong sales in several hardlines departments."

According to Wildrick, same-store sales gains were posted by the entire men's apparel category and the denim department in ladies' apparel. Hardlines departments posting store-for-store sales increases included stationery, housewares, furniture/home decor, luggage, consumables and outdoor/leisure. He also noted that 1997 comparisons were affected by the elimination of two sales promotion events held the prior year that generated sales volume, but resulted in drains on gross margins.

Total sales for the 43 weeks ended November 22, 1997 were $1,031.0 million compared with $1,135.8 million for the same period last year, a decrease of 9.2 percent.

Venture operates 93 family value stores in nine states. Venture's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VEN.