SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: December 23, 2002
FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
7 West Seventh Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 579-7000
-and-
151 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001 (212) 494-1602
Delaware	1-13536	13-3324058
(State of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Item 9.	Regulation FD Disclosure
	Federated Department Stores, Inc. ("Federated"), today posted the following weekly sales update on its Internet website:
	"This is the update for the third week of December 2002 including sales from Sunday December 15th through Saturday December 21st. The fiscal month of December runs from December 1st through January 4th this year and the combined November/December period runs from November 3rd through January 4th.
	Sales did not strengthen as much as anticipated in the third week of December and it now appears likely that comp store sales for the combined November/December period will be below the bottom end of our forecasted range of flat to down -2.5%. However, given the anticipated volume of the next few days before Christmas, as well as the week after Christmas, it is difficult to forecast."
	The informational statements contained in this release are the exclusive property of Federated and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of Federated.
	This release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect current views of the financial performance and future events of Federated. The words "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe" and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Future results of the operations of Federated could differ materially from historical results or current expectations due to a variety of factors that affect Federated, including competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, manufacturers' outlets, off-price and discount stores, new and established forms of home shopping (including the Internet, mail-order catalogues and television) and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, and the effect of weather.

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
	FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
Dated:  December 23, 2002	By:  /s/ Karen M. Hoguet
	Name:  Karen M. Hoguet
	Title:  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer