Although we are only one month into the second quarter, we...

Although we are only one month into the second quarter, we are concerned by the May sales trend, ... We are hopeful that more seasonably warm weather in June, combined with the boost to the economy from lower interest rates and anticipated federal tax rebates, will trigger a strengthening of sales as we move into the summer. Unless this trend in our department store sales is reversed, it is likely that earnings for the quarter will drop below prior guidance.