NEWARK, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nadaq: ROST) announced today that it will participate in the Bear Stearns Seventh Annual Retail and Apparel Conference that is being held Monday, February 26th through Tuesday, February 27th, 2001 at the Hotel Inter-Continental located at 111 East 48th Street in New York City.

Ross Stores is currently scheduled to make its presentation on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 at approximately 11:15 a.m. eastern time. Management will discuss its recent business trends and the company's future outlook. A live audio simulcast of the presentation will be available at www.bearstearns.com/conferences/retail. In addition, a video replay of the presentation will be available at approximately 4:00 p.m. eastern time at the same location. The webcasts will require the software program Real Player(TM) that can be downloaded at www.real.com. A link to the both the audio and video presentations on the Bear Stearns web site also will be featured on the press release page of the Ross Stores web site located at www.rossstores.com.

Ross Stores, Inc. reported sales of $2.7 billion in 2000, its most recent fiscal year. The off-price retailer operates 409 stores in 17 states and Guam, offering first-quality, in season, branded apparel, accessories and footwear for the entire family as well as gift items and linens for the home all at everyday savings of 20% to 60% less than regular department and specialty store prices. SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

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