“Based on the stronger than expected sales in October, and inclusive of the aforementioned gain on the sale of the Newark property, we now estimate that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2004 will be in the range of $.25 to $.26, compared to $.33 for the 13 weeks ended November 1, 2003.  We expect to report final 2004 third quarter results on Tuesday, November 16, 2004,” said Mr. Balmuth. 

          “Looking ahead to the holiday season, we are maintaining our prior forecast for same store sales to decline in the 1% to 4% range for the 13 weeks ending January 29, 2005, compared to a 4% increase in the prior year.  We also continue to forecast that fourth quarter earnings per share will be in the range of $.31 to $.37, compared to $.48 for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2004,” concluded Mr. Balmuth.

          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 November 4, 2004 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 5, 2004.  A transcript of these comments also will be made available on the press release page of the Company’s website at www.rossstores.com.

          Ross Stores will report final results for the third quarter ended October 30, 2004 on Tuesday, November 16, 2004.  The earnings press release will be issued at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.  A conference call is scheduled to follow on the same date at 12:00 noon Eastern time to communicate additional details concerning the quarter’s results and management’s future outlook.   Anyone may listen to a real time audio broadcast of the conference call by visiting the Company’s website at www.rossstores.com.   A recorded version of the call will also be available at the same location.

          Forward-Looking Statements:  This press release and the recorded comments and transcript on the Company’s website contain forward-looking statements regarding planned new store growth and expected sales and earnings levels and forward-looking statements regarding the time needed to remedy ongoing difficulties with new core merchandising systems and the severity, duration and financial impact of resulting in-store inventory imbalances, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations.  The Company is continuing to assess the new information systems, and cannot be certain that all problems have currently been discovered or that their scope is understood.  The estimated earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2004 are preliminary and subject to adjustments. The words “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “project,” “guidance,” “looking ahead” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Stores and dd’s DISCOUNTS^SM include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to successfully and quickly implement, integrate and correct difficulties in various new supply chain and core merchandising systems, including generation of all necessary information in a timely and cost effective manner, 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, changes in geopolitical and general economic conditions, unseasonable weather trends, lower than planned gross margin and greater than planned operating costs. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company’s Form 10-K for fiscal 2003.  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 the Company’s outlook at any other point in time.  The Company does not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

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