EXHIBIT 23.1
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Federated Department Stores, Inc.
 
     We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and
to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
 
                                            /s/ KPMG LLP
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
April 21, 1999