NEWARK, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $169 million for the four week period ended February 26, 2000, a 16% increase above the $146 million for the four weeks ended February 27, 1999. Comparable store sales for the four-week period increased 8% vs. a 9% increase in the prior year.

Ross Stores, Inc. operates a national 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 378 stores at February 26, 2000, compared to 349 stores at the end of the same period last year. SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Ross Stores, Inc. press releases are available at no charge through the company's home page on the internet at www.rossstores.com. Additional recorded information concerning the company's business can be accessed by calling 719-457-0820, passcode #883427, from 8:30 a.m. EST on March 2, 2000 through 8:00 p.m. EST on March 3, 2000/

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