PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct 10, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) announced today that Lisa Panattoni, age 42, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Merchandising. Ms. Panattoni will continue to be responsible for the Home businesses and also will continue to report directly to Michael Balmuth, the Company's Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining Ross as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Home in January 2005, Ms. Panattoni held senior merchandising positions since 1998 at HomeGoods, a division of The TJX Companies, most recently as Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. 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, "This promotion recognizes the importance of Lisa Panattoni's leadership skills and extensive merchandising knowledge and expertise in the home area, which we believe continue to be critically important to the successful growth of this key business."

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 2004 revenues of $4.2 billion. The Company currently operates 713 Ross stores and 20 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations in 26 states and Guam. 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(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.

Katie Loughnot
Vice President
Investor & Media Relations of Ross Stores, Inc.
+1-925-965-4509
katie.loughnot@ros.com