Brown Shoe Names Mark E. Hood Chief Financial Officer

ST. LOUIS – October 24, 2006 -- Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (NYSE: BWS) announced today that Mark E. Hood, former Chief Financial Officer of Panera Bread Co., has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 30, 2006.

Hood, who has more than 30 years of finance, accounting and managerial experience, will oversee Brown Shoe’s Finance and Accounting, Treasury, External Reporting, Tax, Real Estate, and Investor Relations functions.

“We are pleased to have Mark join our team,” said Ron Fromm, Chairman and CEO. “His strong, wide-ranging background will be instrumental in achieving our financial goals and maintaining our long-standing focus on good governance.”

Hood joins Brown Shoe after serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of St. Louis-based Panera Bread. In that capacity, he also managed Panera’s corporate governance, led the investor relations program, and oversaw all cash management, treasury, and accounting operations. Before joining Panera, he held various positions with Saks Fifth Avenue (Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer); May Department Stores (Vice President and Controller – Foley’s); and Arthur Andersen (Audit Manager).

Hood succeeds Andy Rosen, who, as earlier announced, is retiring after serving more than 30 years with Brown Shoe. Rosen will assist with the transition and will continue to advise Brown Shoe with respect to pension planning and investment management and other matters.

Hood is a Certified Public Accountant. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics from Iowa State University.