Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation's second largest off- price company with fiscal 2006 revenues of $5.6 billion. As of March 3, 2007, the Company operated 771 Ross Dress for Less(R) ("Ross") stores and 26 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations, compared to 714 Ross and 20 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations at the end of the same period last year. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices. dd's DISCOUNTS(R) features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices

http://www.rossstores.com

Ross Stores Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2008 Earnings 
PLEASANTON, Calif., March 19, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 of $.76, up 9% from $.70 for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Net earnings for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 grew to a record $97.4 million, up from $94.5 million for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 increased 5% to $1.734 billion compared to $1.652 billion for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Comparable store sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 declined 1% compared to a 2% gain for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. 
For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, earnings per share grew 23% to $2.33, from $1.90 for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Net earnings for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 grew to a record $305.4 million, from $261.1 million for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Sales for the 2008 fiscal year increased 9% to $6.486 billion, with comparable store sales up 2% over the prior year. 
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased with our solid earnings per share growth for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2008. Our results are especially noteworthy considering the extremely challenging macro-economic and retail environment that became increasingly difficult as the year progressed. A key driver of this performance was the efficient execution of our resilient and flexible off-price strategies, which included taking advantage of the huge amount of close-out opportunities in the marketplace. This enabled us to deliver fresh and exciting assortments of sharply priced name brand bargains to our customers. More importantly, we accomplished this while also operating the business with leaner in-store inventories, which drove faster turns and reduced markdowns, resulting in higher merchandise gross margin." 
Mr. Balmuth continued, "Operating margin for the 2008 fourth quarter was 9.1%, up about five basis points over the prior year, as stronger merchandise gross margin was partially offset by some deleveraging of occupancy and store operating costs as well as higher distribution expenses as a percent of sales. For the 2008 fiscal year, operating margin increased about 60 basis points over the prior year to 7.6%. As a percent of sales, key drivers of our improved profitability for the year were higher merchandise gross margin and lower distribution and shortage costs, partially offset by an increase in occupancy, store operating and incentive plan expenses."
"Solid operating cash flows during fiscal 2008 continued to provide the resources to make capital investments in new store growth and infrastructure, and fund our ongoing stock repurchase and dividend programs. During fiscal 2008, we repurchased a total of 9.3 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million and we plan to complete the remaining $300 million repurchase authorization in 2009. In January 2009, our Board of Directors also approved a 16% increase in our quarterly cash dividend to $.11 per common share. On an annual basis, this represents our 15th consecutive dividend increase," Mr. Balmuth concluded. 
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to communicate additional details concerning the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008 results and management's outlook and plans for 2009. A real time audio webcast of the conference call will be available at www.rossstores.com. An audio playback will be available at 706-645-9291, ID #86369590 through March 26, 2009. 
 

Ross Stores Reports February Sales 
February Recorded Comments 
PLEASANTON, Calif., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported that sales increased 7% to $476 million for the four weeks ended February 28, 2009, up from $444 million for the four weeks ended March 1, 2008. Comparable store sales for the month grew 1% on top of a 4% gain in the prior year.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with our better-than-expected sales in February. Our ongoing ability to deliver fresh and exciting assortments of compelling name brand bargains to an increasingly value-focused consumer remains the key driver of our solid top line performance. Merchandise and geographic trends were generally broad-based, benefiting from healthy traffic levels during the month. Dresses and Shoes were the best performing merchandise categories while the Mid-Atlantic was the strongest region."
 

Ross Stores Reports January 2009 Sales, Raises 2008 Fourth Quarter EPS Guidance 
January Recorded Comments 
ANNOUNCES 16% DIVIDEND INCREASE 
PROVIDES 2009 FISCAL YEAR TARGETS 
PLEASANTON, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales for the four weeks ended January 31, 2009 of $365 million, a 4% increase over the $350 million in sales for the four weeks ended February 2, 2008. Same store sales for the four weeks ended January 31, 2009 declined 2% compared to the four weeks ended February 2, 2008.
For the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009, sales were $1.734 billion, a 5% increase over the $1.652 billion in sales for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Comparable store sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 decreased 1% compared to the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008.
For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, sales were $6.486 billion, a 9% increase over the $5.975 billion in sales for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Comparable store sales for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 rose 2% over the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Both our January and fourth quarter sales were in line with our expectations. More importantly, merchandise gross margin for the fourth quarter was better than expected and up from last year. These results reflect the ongoing success of our core strategy of delivering compelling bargains, which have become increasingly important to today's value-focused consumer. Our aggressive inventory management has also been a key driver of improved profitability by promoting faster turns and lower markdowns."
"Based on our sales and margin trends, we now estimate earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2009 of $.75 to $.76, up from our previous guidance of $.73 to $.75 and $.70 for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2008. For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, earnings per share are estimated to increase 22% to 23% to $2.32 to $2.33, up from $1.90 in the prior year," said Mr. Balmuth.
Board Approves 16% Increase in Quarterly Dividend
The Company announced that its Board of Directors recently approved a 16% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $.11 per common share, payable on March 31, 2009 to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2009.
In commenting, Mr. Balmuth said, "Our solid financial position and anticipated future cash flows allow us to continue to enhance stockholder returns through both our dividend and share repurchase programs. The higher dividend announced today represents the fifteenth consecutive annual increase since our dividend program was initiated in 1994. In addition, I am pleased to report that during 2008 we repurchased a total of 9.3 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million and expect to complete as planned the remaining $300 million repurchase authorization in 2009."
Fiscal 2009 Guidance
Looking ahead, Mr. Balmuth said, "Considering today's very difficult macro-economic and retail climate, we remain cautious in our outlook as we enter 2009. Our experience over the past year reflects the benefit of setting prudent targets when planning the business with the hope that we can do better."
For the fiscal year ending January 30, 2010, the Company is forecasting same store sales to decline 1% to 3% compared to a 2% gain in the prior year, and projecting earnings per share in the range of $2.25 to $2.45. For the 13 weeks ending May 2, 2009, comparable store sales also are forecast to decline 1% to 3% compared to a 3% gain in the prior year quarter. Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2009 are projected to be in the range of $.56 to $.61, compared to $.60 in the prior year period."
 

Ross Stores Reports November Sales 
November Recorded Comments 
PLEASANTON, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $568 million for the four weeks ended November 29, 2008, a 4% increase over the $547 million in sales for the four weeks ended December 1, 2007. Same store sales for the four weeks ended November 29, 2008 declined 2% from the four weeks ended December 1, 2007.
For the ten months ended November 29, 2008, sales were $5.320 billion, a 9% increase over the $4.870 billion in sales for the ten months ended December 1, 2007. Comparable store sales for the ten months ended November 29, 2008 rose 2% over the ten months ended December 1, 2007.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with our November results which continued to reflect the resilience of our off-price business model. Despite the tough economic and retail environment, same store sales for the month were slightly better than expected, with merchandise gross margin in line with plan. Dresses remained the best performing merchandise category for both the month and year-to-date periods, while geographic trends were generally broad-based. Looking ahead, we continue to forecast same store sales to be relatively flat for December and down 2% to 4% for January."
Additional recorded information concerning today's press release and the Company's future outlook can be accessed by calling 706-645-9291, PIN # 50663646 from 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on December 4, 2008 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on December 5, 2008. A transcript of these comments is available at http://www.rossstores.com.

Ross Stores Reports October Sales, Updates Third Quarter Guidance
October Recorded Comments 
PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $490 million for the four weeks ended November 1, 2008, a 4% increase over the $470 million in sales for the four weeks ended November 3, 2007. Same store sales for the four weeks ended November 1, 2008 declined 2% from the four weeks ended November 3, 2007.
For the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2008, sales were $1.555 billion, a 6% increase over the $1.468 billion in sales for the thirteen weeks ended November 3, 2007. Comparable store sales for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2008 were even with the prior year period.
For the nine months ended November 1, 2008, sales were $4.752 billion, a 10% increase over the $4.324 billion in sales for the nine months ended November 3, 2007. Comparable store sales for the nine months ended November 1, 2008 rose 3% over the nine months ended November 3, 2007.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "October same store sales were slightly lower than expected, as we believe our business was impacted by unseasonably warm weather in many of our markets and the ongoing pressure from the challenging macro-economic environment. The Mid-Atlantic, which benefited from cooler temperatures, remained our strongest region, while Dresses and Accessories were the best performing merchandise categories."
Mr. Balmuth continued, "We now estimate that earnings per share for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2008 will be in the range of $.43 to $.44, up from $.36 in the third quarter of 2007. The quarter is benefiting from favorable shortage results and other expense savings that are offsetting the impact to gross margin from somewhat lower-than-expected sales."
"Looking ahead, while we believe our resilient off-price model continues to hold up well in today's difficult macro-economic and retail climate, we remain cautious given the likelihood of a very promotional holiday season. We plan to provide detailed sales and earnings guidance for the fourth quarter with our third quarter earnings release and conference call on Wednesday, November 19th," concluded Mr. Balmuth.

Ross Stores Reports July Same Store Sales Gain of 4%
PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $499 million for the four weeks ended August 2, 2008, an 11% increase over the $450 million in sales for the four weeks ended August 4, 2007. Same store sales for the four weeks ended August 2, 2008 rose 4% from the prior year period.
For the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2008, sales were $1.640 billion, a 14% increase over the $1.445 billion in sales reported for the 13 weeks ended August 4, 2007. Comparable store sales for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2008 rose 6%.
For the six months ended August 2, 2008, sales increased 12% to $3.197 billion, up from $2.855 billion for the six months ended August 4, 2007. Comparable store sales for the six months ended August 2, 2008 grew 5%.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our July same store sales results were at the high end of our forecast for a 2% to 4% increase. Our solid performance for the month and the quarter was driven mainly by our ability to offer compelling bargains on fresh and exciting name brand fashions for the family and the home. We believe that the tax rebate checks and favorable weather also benefited sales somewhat during the quarter. For July, Dresses, Accessories and Home were the strongest merchandise categories, while Texas and the Mid-Atlantic were the best-performing markets."