<PAGE>

                                 UNITED STATES
                       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 15, 2004


                       THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                          I-79                      43-1104396
(State or other                 (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)              Identification No.)
incorporation)

611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                            63101
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314)342-6300


                                Not Applicable
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
      (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
      CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




<PAGE>

Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 15, 2004, the registrant issued a press release announcing the
extension of the expiration date of the exchange offer of The May Department
Stores Company, a New York corporation, for its 3.95% Notes due July 15, 2007,
4.80% Notes due July 15, 2009, 5.75% Notes due July 15, 2014, 6.65% Debentures
due July 15, 2024 and 6.70% Debentures due July 15, 2034 to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on December 17, 2004.

A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1	Press Release, dated December 15, 2004.


                             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.



                        THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY



Dated: December 15, 2004         By:    /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                                            Richard A. Brickson
                                            Secretary
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MAY DEPARTMENT STORES CO", "cik": "0000063416", "assigned-sic": "5311", "irs-number": "431104396", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0201"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00079", "film-number": "041203400"}, "business-address": {"street1": "611 OLIVE ST", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63101", "phone": "3143426300"}}
UNITED STATES
                       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 15, 2004

                       THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                          I-79                      43-1104396
(State or other                 (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)              Identification No.)
incorporation)

611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                            63101
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314)342-6300

                                Not Applicable
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
      (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
      CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 15, 2004, the registrant issued a press release announcing the
extension of the expiration date of the exchange offer of The May Department
Stores Company, a New York corporation, for its 3.95% Notes due July 15, 2007,
4.80% Notes due July 15, 2009, 5.75% Notes due July 15, 2014, 6.65% Debentures
due July 15, 2024 and 6.70% Debentures due July 15, 2034 to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on December 17, 2004.

A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1	Press Release, dated December 15, 2004.

                             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.

                        THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY

Dated: December 15, 2004         By:    /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                                            Richard A. Brickson
                                            Secretary