FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Contact:
Russell Solt, Venture Stores
314/281-7800

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

Solid Sales of Back-to-School Merchandise Contribute to Performance

O'Fallon, Mo., September 3, 1997&emdash;Venture Stores, Inc. today reported total sales for the four weeks ending August 23, 1997 of $101.6 million, a decrease of 5.0 percent from $106.9 million for the four weeks ending August 24, 1996.

According to Robert N. Wildrick, Venture chairman and chief executive officer, strong sales were recorded by back-to-school merchandise in the stationery department, children's apparel, women's apparel and family shoes. Venture's hardlines and home goods departments continued to generate solid sales in August, with strong results reported by luggage, outdoor/leisure products, domestics and housewares.

Wildrick noted that decreasing activity at inventory liquidation sales now winding down at 20 stores that have been sold contributed to the sales decline.

"The continued strength of sales in a number of key hardlines and home goods categories, and improving trends in selected apparel departments are encouraging signs," Wildrick said. "We are optimistic that the growing customer acceptance of Venture's long-term repositioning will be reflected in our sales trends once we have completed our inventory liquidation sales."

As announced last month, Venture will not be reporting same-store sales until its current liquidation sales are completed because of the undue effect that the liquidation activity will have on such comparisons.

Total sales for the 30 weeks ending August 23, 1997 were $744.5 million compared with $787.5 million for the 30 weeks ended August 24, 1996, a decrease of 5.5 percent.

After the transfer of 20 stores which have been sold, Venture will operate 93 family value stores in nine states. Venture's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VEN.