NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $220 million for the five week period ended October 2, 1999, a 16% increase above the $189 million in sales for the five weeks ended October 3, 1998. Comparable store sales for the same period increased 8% over the prior year.

For the eight months through October 2, 1999, sales were $1.583 billion, a 14% increase above the $1.384 billion in sales for the prior year's comparable period ended October 3, 1998. Comparable store sales for the eight months increased 7%.

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 363 stores at October 2, 1999, compared to 339 stores at the end of the same period last year.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.