PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $461 million for the four weeks ended September 1, 2007, a 12% increase over the $410 million in sales for the four weeks ended September 2, 2006. Same store sales for the four weeks ended September 1, 2007 grew 4% compared to the four weeks ended September 2, 2006. Comparable store sales rose 3% for the four weeks ended August 26, 2006.

For the seven months ended September 1, 2007, sales were $3.316 billion, a 9% increase over the $3.037 billion in sales for the seven months ended September 2, 2006. Comparable store sales for the seven months ended September 1, 2007 rose 2% over the seven months ended September 2, 2006. Comparable store sales rose 5% for the seven months ended August 26, 2006.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Comparable store sales in August were at the high end of our plan for a 2% to 4% increase. As expected, Texas and Florida were the strongest regions, benefiting from shifts in their sales tax holidays, which moved from July last year into August this year, as well as later back-to-school start dates. We estimate that the sales tax calendar shifts increased total reported comparable store sales by at least 1% for the month. Looking ahead, we continue to forecast same store sales gains of 1% to 3% for both September and October."

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 September 6, 2007 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on September 7, 2007. A transcript of these comments is available on the Company's website at http://www.rossstores.com. The Company expects to report September 2007 sales results on Thursday, October 11th.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the recorded comments and transcript on our website contain forward-looking statements regarding expected sales and earnings levels that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our 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 Dress for Less(R) ("Ross") and dd's DISCOUNTS(R) include, without limitation, our ability to convert certain Albertsons LLC real estate sites to the Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS formats in a timely and cost effective manner and on acceptable terms, and the ability to achieve targeted levels of sales, profits and cash flows from these acquired store locations; our ability to effectively operate our various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; our ability to improve our merchandising capabilities through the implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in our distribution centers; potential pressure on freight costs from higher-than-expected fuel surcharges; 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, including the potential impact from higher mortgage interest rates and higher gas prices; 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; greater than planned operating costs; our ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name merchandise at desirable discounts; our ability to identify and successfully enter new geographic markets; and our ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute our strategies. Other risk factors are detailed in our SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and Form 10-Q's and 8-K's for fiscal 2007. 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 our outlook at any other point in time. We do 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 2006 revenues of $5.6 billion. As of September 1, 2007, the Company operated 817 Ross Dress for Less(R) ("Ross") stores and 45 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations, compared to 744 Ross and 26 dd's DISCOUNTS locations at the end of the same period last year. 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 on the Company's website at http://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.