PLEASANTON, Calif., March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales increased 7% to $395 million for the four weeks ended March 3, 2007, from $368 million for the four weeks ended March 4, 2006. Comparable store sales for the month increased 1% over the same period in the prior year.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Sales for February were in line with plan, benefiting from broad-based geographic and merchandise trends."

Additional recorded information concerning today's press release and the Company's future outlook can be accessed by calling 402-220-5900, PIN #2363, from 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on March 8, 2007 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on March 9, 2007. A transcript of these comments also will be made available on the press release page of the Company's website at www.rossstores.com. The Company will report fourth quarter and fiscal 2006 earnings results on Wednesday, March 21st and March 2007 sales results on Thursday, April 12th.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release, the recorded comments and other material on the Company's website contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from management's current expectations. The words "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "forecast," "projected," "guidance," "looking ahead" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Stores and dd's DISCOUNTS(R) include, without limitation, the Company's ability to convert certain Albertsons LLC real estate sites to the Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS(R) formats in a timely and cost effective manner and on acceptable terms, and the ability to achieve targeted levels of sales, profits and cash flows from these acquired store locations; the Company's ability to effectively operate its various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; its ability to improve its micro-merchandising capabilities through the implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in its distribution centers; potential pressure on freight costs from higher-than-expected fuel surcharges; obtaining acceptable new store locations; competitive pressures in the apparel industry; changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences for apparel or home-related merchandise; changes in geopolitical and general economic conditions; unseasonable weather trends; disruptions in supply chain; lower than planned gross margin, including higher than planned markdowns and higher than expected inventory shortage; greater than planned operating costs; the Company's ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name merchandise at desirable discounts; the Company's ability to identify and successfully enter new geographic markets; and the Company's ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute its strategies. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2005 and the Form 10-Q's and 8-K's for fiscal 2006. The factors underlying our forecasts are dynamic and subject to change. As a result, our forecasts speak only as of the date they are given and do not necessarily reflect the Company's outlook at any other point in time. The Company does not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

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. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.rossstores.com.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

CONTACT:
Katie Loughnot
Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-925-965-4509
or katie.loughnot@ros.com
or
John Call
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
+1-925-965-4315
both for Ross Stores, Inc.