Shoe Carnival, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCVL), a leading retailer of value-priced footwear and accessories, today reported that sales for the five-week period ended December 31, 2005 increased 12.8 percent to $72.5 million from sales of $64.3 million for the five-week period ended January 1, 2005. Comparable store sales increased 10.6 percent in December 2005.

Sales for the first eleven months of 2005 increased 10.9 percent to $616.6 million from sales of $555.8 million for the first eleven months of 2004. Comparable store sales increased 6.6 percent for the 48-week period.

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

Beginning in fiscal 2006, Shoe Carnival will no longer report sales information on a monthly basis, but will convert to quarterly sales reporting. The first quarter sales of fiscal 2006 (February, March, and April) will be released after the first quarter ends.

To hear the telephone replay of Shoe Carnival, Inc.'s pre-recorded December sales message, please dial 888-203-1112 followed by conference call I.D. number 611339 beginning January 5, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time. The telephone replay will be available for one week.

Shoe Carnival is a chain of 264 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.

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