"This is an unusual call in that we can't discuss what'shappening with Value City," Retail Ventures CEO Heywood Wilanskysaid in Wednesday's conference call with financial analysts. RetailVentures announced in December that it was "exploring strategicalternatives" for the Value City chain. Wilansky said at the timethat the strategic alternatives do not include the DSW Inc. orFilene's Basement divisions, both of which are managed separatelyfrom Value City Department Stores.

The company reported a net loss of $35.9 million for the quarterended Feb. 3, or 76 cents per share on a diluted basis, compared toa net loss of $71.1 million, or $1.79 per share on a diluted basislast year. For the full year, Retail Ventures lost a net $150.9million or $3.35 per share, compared to a net loss of $183.4million or $4.75 per share on a diluted basis for the previousyear.

Sales for the 14 weeks ended Feb. 3 increased 6.5% to $874million from $820.5 million for the 13 weeks ended Jan. 28, 2006.The company's same store sales decreased 2.8% for the comparative13-week period. Total sales for the 53-week year ended Feb. 3increased 5.3% to $3.07 billion from $2.91 billion for the 52 weeksended Jan. 28, 2006. The company's same store sales increased justless than 1% for the comparative 52-week period.