<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874444</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RETAIL VENTURES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RVI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001329723</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ring Lawrence J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILLIAMSBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23187</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Robert J. Tannous, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
