PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales of $537 million for the five weeks ended October 6, 2007, a 5% increase over the $510 million in sales for the five weeks ended October 7, 2006. Same store sales for the five weeks ended October 6, 2007 were flat compared to the five weeks ended October 7, 2006. Comparable store sales rose 6% for the five weeks ended September 30, 2006.

For the eight months ended October 6, 2007, sales were $3.853 billion, a 9% increase over the $3.547 billion in sales for the eight months ended October 7, 2006. Comparable store sales for the eight months ended October 6, 2007 rose 1% over the eight months ended October 7, 2006. Comparable store sales rose 5% for the eight months ended September 30, 2006.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Same store sales in September were slightly below our forecast mainly due, we believe, to unseasonably warm weather in many of our markets. Geographic trends were relatively broadbased. The strongest region during the month was the Northwest, while Dresses and Home remained the top performing businesses."

Mr. Balmuth continued, "With sales comparisons that start to ease over the balance of the year, we continue to forecast same store sales gains of 1% to 3% for October on top of a 3% increase in 2006. Based on this sales projection, along with favorable gross margin and expense trends, we are fine tuning our earnings per share forecast for the 13 weeks ending November 3, 2007 to $.35 to $.37, from our prior estimate of $.33 to $.37. This compares to earnings per share for the third quarter of 2006 of $.31."

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 October 11, 2007 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on October 12, 2007. A transcript of these comments is available on the Company's website at http://www.rossstores.com. The Company expects to report October 2007 sales results on Thursday, November 8th and fiscal 2007 third quarter earnings results on Tuesday, November 20th.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the recorded comments and transcript on our website contain forward-looking statements regarding expected sales and earnings levels that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from management's current expectations. The words "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "forecast," "projected," "guidance," "looking ahead" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Dress for Less(R) ("Ross") and dd's DISCOUNTS(R) include, without limitation, our ability to convert certain Albertsons LLC real estate sites to the Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS formats in a timely and cost effective manner and on acceptable terms, and the ability to achieve targeted levels of sales, profits and cash flows from these acquired store locations; our ability to effectively operate our various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; our ability to improve our merchandising capabilities through the implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in our distribution centers; potential pressure on freight costs from higher-than-expected fuel surcharges; 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, including the potential impact from uncertainty in mortgage credit markets and higher gas prices; changes in geopolitical and general economic conditions; unseasonable weather trends; disruptions in supply chain; lower than planned gross margin, including higher than planned markdowns and higher than expected inventory shortage; greater than planned operating costs; our ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name merchandise at desirable discounts; our ability to identify and successfully enter new geographic markets; and our ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute our strategies. Other risk factors are detailed in our SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and Form 10-Q's and 8-K's for fiscal 2007. 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 our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation's second largest off-price company with fiscal 2006 revenues of $5.6 billion. As of October 6, 2007, the Company operated 817 Ross Dress for Less(R) ("Ross") stores and 52 dd's DISCOUNTS(R) locations, compared to 766 Ross and 26 dd's DISCOUNTS locations at the end of the same period last year. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices. dd's DISCOUNTS features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. Additional information is available on the Company's website at http://www.rossstores.com.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

CONTACT: John G. Call, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
+1-925-965-4315, or Katie Loughnot, Vice President, Investor Relations,
+1-925-965-4509, katie.loughnot@ros.com, both of Ross Stores, Inc.
Web site: http://www.rossstores.com
(ROST)