NEWARK, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $228 million for the five weeks ended April 3, 1999, a 16% increase above the $197 million in sales for the five weeks ended April 4, 1998. Comparable store sales for the month increased 9% over the prior year.

For the nine weeks ended April 3, 1999, sales totaled $374 million, a 16% increase above the $323 million in sales for the nine weeks ended April 4, 1998. Comparable store sales for the two months increased 9% over 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 in operation at April 3, 1999, compared to 331 stores at the end of the same period last year.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.