PLEASANTON, Calif., Dec 3, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) announced today that Lisa Panattoni, age 42, will join the Company as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager, Home effective January 3, 2005. Ms. Panattoni will report to Michael Balmuth, the Company's Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to Ross, Ms. Panattoni held senior merchandising positions since 1998 at HomeGoods, a division of The TJX Companies. She most recently served as Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing and has been instrumental in the growth of the TJX HomeGoods Division. She also held other merchandising positions at TJX since joining Marshall's in 1990, including Divisional Merchandise Manager of the Marmaxx Home Store from 1994 to 1998.

Mr. Balmuth said, "We are delighted to have Lisa Panattoni join the Ross Stores senior management team. Her leadership skills and extensive merchandising knowledge and expertise in the home area will be critically important as we continue the successful growth of this key business."

Irene Jamieson, the Company's current Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Home, recently announced her plans to retire in early 2006. During the interim period, she will be working closely with her successor, Lisa Panattoni, to ensure a smooth transition and the continued success and growth of the Home businesses.

Mr. Balmuth continued, "Irene Jamieson joined Ross in 1992 and has been invaluable in providing the leadership and vision instrumental to the successful creation, development and expansion of the Company's home businesses over the past 12 years. We are grateful for her many outstanding contributions during this period and extend our best wishes for continued success."

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 2003 revenues of $3.9 billion. The Company currently operates 642 Ross stores in 26 states and Guam in addition to ten dd's DISCOUNTS(SM) stores located in California. Ross Stores 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(SM) features a more moderate 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.

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

http://www.rossstores.com