NEWARK, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $235 million for the five week period ended July 3, 1999, a 14% increase above the $206 million in sales for the five weeks ended July 4, 1998. Comparable store sales for the same period increased 7% over the prior year.

For the five months through July 3, 1999, sales were $977 million, a 14% increase above the $857 million in sales for the prior year's comparable period ended July 4, 1998. Comparable store sales for the five months increased 7% over the same period 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 355 stores at July 3, 1999, compared to 331 stores at the end of the same period last year.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.