NEWARK, Calif., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST - news) today reported sales of $282 million for the four weeks ended December 1, 2001, a 13% increase above the $250 million in sales for the four weeks ended December 2, 2000. Comparable store sales for the same period increased 4% over the prior year.

For the ten months through December 1, 2001, sales totaled $2.420 billion, a 10% increase above the $2.197 billion in sales for the prior year's comparable period ended December 2, 2000. For the ten months, comparable store sales increased 1% over the prior year.

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 6, 2001 through 8:00 p.m. eastern time on December 7, 2001. A transcript of these comments also will be made available on the press release page of the company's web site at www.rossstores.com.

Ross Stores, Inc. operates a chain of off-price retail stores offering first quality, in-season, branded apparel and apparel-related merchandise for the entire family at prices that average 20% to 60% less than department and specialty stores, as well as merchandise for the home at similar savings. The company had 453 stores at December 6, 2001, compared to 412 stores at the end of the same period last year.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

CONTACT: John G. Call, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, +1-510-505-4315, or Katie Loughnot, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-510-505-4509, or katie.loughnot@ros.com, both of Ross Stores, Inc.