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 7, 2004

                              RETAIL VENTURES, INC.
                              ---------------------

             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


                                                          
           Ohio                       1-10767                 31-1322832
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION        (COMMISSION              (IRS EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION)              FILE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


                              3241 Westerville Road
                              Columbus, Ohio 43224
                                 (614) 471-4722
                                 --------------

               (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
                       INCLUDING AREA CODE OF REGISTRANT'S
                          PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                 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 obligation 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 2.02        OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On December 7, 2004, Retail Ventures, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
release regarding its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended
October 30, 2004. A copy of the Company's press release is furnished as an
exhibit to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company will also present its financial results for the third quarter ended
October 30, 2004 during a conference call on December 8, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. EST
which is available over the Internet at www.retailventuresinc.com. A replay will
be available from 6:00 p.m. EST December 8, 2004 through January 8, 2005. To
listen to the replay, dial 1-800-839-0860 and reference confirmation code number
8237.

ITEM 9.01.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)   EXHIBITS



            Exhibit No.                            Description                                  
            -----------      -----------------------------------------------------------

                            
                99.1         Retail Ventures, Inc. press release dated December 7, 2004.


The information in this Form 8-K, including the exhibit hereto, shall not be
treated as "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                                   SIGNATURES

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.

                                 Retail Ventures, Inc.

Date: December 7, 2004    By:    /s/ James A. McGrady     
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                                 James A.  McGrady,  Executive  Vice  President
                                 and Chief Financial Officer








                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



            Exhibit No.                            Description                                       
            -----------      -----------------------------------------------------------

                            
                99.1         Retail Ventures, Inc. press release dated December 7, 2004.