NEWARK, Calif., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) announced today that Sharon D. Garrett, age 52, has been elected to its Board of Directors.

Ms. Garrett served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for The Walt Disney Company from 1989 through 2000, where she was responsible for domestic and international IT operations as well as telecommunications, data center operations and systems supporting a $23 billion entertainment company. Her business career spans over 30 years and includes systems management roles in several well known healthcare and technology organizations including the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, Porton International in England and Hyatt Medical Enterprises. She began her career in the Department of Biomathematics at UCLA.

In commenting on this news, Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ross Stores, stated, "We are delighted to have Sharon Garrett join our Board of Directors. Her extensive senior management and technology experience will be a valuable resource for the company and its stockholders."

Ross Stores, Inc. operates a national chain of 409 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 generated revenues of $2.5 billion in fiscal 1999. SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Ross Stores, Inc. press releases are available at www.rossstores.com./

CONTACT: John G. Call, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, 510-505-4400, or Katie Loughnot, Director, Investor Relations, 510-505-4509, or katie.loughnot@ros.com/