PLEASANTON, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $451 million for the four weeks ended November 26, 2005, a 15% increase over the $391 million in sales for the four weeks ended November 27, 2004. Comparable store sales for the same period increased 5% over the prior year.

For the 43 weeks ended November 26, 2005, sales totaled $3.983 billion, a 17% increase over the $3.419 billion in sales for the 43 weeks ended November 27, 2004. For the 43 week period, comparable store sales grew 6% over the prior year period.

In commenting, Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to report that November same store sales were slightly ahead of our projection for a 3% to 4% increase over the prior year. The strongest markets were the Southwest and Mountain states, while the best performing merchandise categories were Juniors and Shoes. Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic about our business prospects over the balance of the fourth quarter and continue to forecast same store sales gains of 1% to 2% in December and 3% to 4% in January."

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 December 1, 2005 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on December 2, 2005. 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 expects to report December sales results on Thursday, January 5, 2006.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the recorded comments and transcript on the Company's website contain forward-looking statements regarding expected sales and earnings levels 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 effectively operate and integrate various new supply chain and core merchandising systems, including generation of all necessary information in a timely and cost effective manner; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in its distribution centers; 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; and greater than planned operating costs. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2004 and the Form 10-Q's and Form 8-K's for fiscal 2005. 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 2004 revenues of $4.2 billion. As of November 26, 2005, the Company operated 715 Ross stores and 20 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations, compared to 642 Ross stores and 10 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations at the end of the same period last year. 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.

CONTACT:
John G. Call, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
+1-925-965-4315
or Katie Loughnot, Vice President, Investor Relations
+1-925-965-4509
katie.loughnot@ros.com
both of Ross Stores, Inc.
Web site: http://www.rossstores.com
(ROST)