PLEASANTON, Calif., July 17, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST), the nation's second largest off-price retailer, will celebrate the opening of its San Carlos Ross Dress for Less on Saturday, July 19th by dedicating this new store to the memory of company founder and philanthropist Stuart Moldaw.

San Carlos is the 50th Ross Dress for Less location to open in the San Francisco Bay Area, almost 26 years after Moldaw founded the company. The 32,000 square foot store is one of 26 new locations opening this summer, including 25 Ross Dress for Less and one dd's DISCOUNTS.

Since 1982, Ross Stores has grown from a small retail chain in the Bay Area to more than 940 locations in 27 states with a network of over 40,000 associates. When Moldaw opened the first six stores in the Bay Area, he wanted to create a place where shoppers could find everyday savings on name brand merchandise. The San Carlos store will continue this tradition by offering bargain hunters a wide assortment of styles and fashions for the family and the home all at 20 to 60 percent off department store regular prices.

"We are honored to be dedicating the San Carlos store to Stuart's memory, and his many contributions to the business and non-profit community," said Norman Ferber, the company's Chairman of the Board. "Stuart's vision and leadership were driving forces behind the ultimate long-term success of Ross Stores."

Mr. Moldaw also was well known in the business community for his entrepreneurial spirit and success in the specialty retailing industry. In addition to Ross, he played an integral role for over 50 years in the creation and growth of numerous retail ventures, including The Gymboree Corporation.

Mr. Moldaw also was an active philanthropist, volunteering and serving on the boards of numerous Bay Area non-profit organizations, including among others the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. He also was politically active at both the national and state levels. In 1993, President Clinton appointed Mr. Moldaw as Public Delegate to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations. In 2000, he served as chair of California's World Trade Commission.

In celebration of Mr. Moldaw's life-long commitment to the Bay Area, Ross Stores is making a $100,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula in his honor. These funds will be targeted for their new College Bound program that is designed to help the Club's youth graduate from high school and develop a plan for continuing education.

Store Location and Hours

The San Carlos Ross Dress for Less is located at 1119 Industrial Road in the Brittan Corners Shopping Center. The store is open daily Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., and on Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

About Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation's second largest off-price retailer with fiscal 2007 revenues of $6.0 billion. Including the new locations opening in July, the Company will now operate 888 Ross Dress for Less(R) stores in 27 states and Guam and 55 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona. 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 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 at http://www.rossstores.com.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

http://www.rossstores.com