Shoe Carnival, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCVL), a leading retailer of value-priced footwear and accessories, today reported that sales for the five-week period ended October 1, 2005 increased 10.4 percent to $51.1 million from sales of $46.3 million for the five-week period ended October 2, 2004. Comparable store sales increased 6.5 percent in September 2005.

Sales for the first eight months of 2005 increased 8.9 percent to $442.2 million from sales of $406.1 million for the first eight months of 2004. Comparable store sales increased 4.1 percent for the 35-week period.

The Company also announced the closing of two stores during the month.

To hear the telephone replay of Shoe Carnival, Inc.'s pre-recorded September sales message, please dial 888-203-1112 followed by conference call I.D. number 611339 beginning October 6, 2005 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time. The telephone replay will be available for one week.

Shoe Carnival is a chain of 263 footwear stores located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family. Headquartered in Evansville, IN, Shoe Carnival trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol SCVL. Shoe Carnival's press releases and annual report are available on the Company's website at www.shoecarnival.com.

    CONTACT: Shoe Carnival, Inc.
             Mark L. Lemond or W. Kerry Jackson, 812-867-4034
             www.shoecarnival.com

    SOURCE: Shoe Carnival, Inc.