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\par\pard\plain\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs24\b\qc UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc Washington, D.C. 20549
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc _______________
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs28\b\qc Form 8-K\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc CURRENT REPORT
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc Date of report (date of earliest event reported):
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc January 23, 2013\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc ROSS STORES, INC.
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
\par\pard\plain
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{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx3600\clvertalb\cellx7200\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh206
\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (State or other jurisdiction of\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (Commission File No.)\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (I.R.S. Employer Identification\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc incorporation)\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc No.)\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc 4440 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, California, 94588-3050
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (Address of principal executive offices)\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc Registrant\u8217?s telephone number, including area code:
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc (925) 965-4400\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj [\~\~ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj [\~ \~] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj [\~\~ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj [\~\~ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par
\page
\par\pard\plain\fs16{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_1}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_1}{\*\bkmkstart item_1_42_1}{\*\bkmkend item_1_42_1}\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj (a)\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj On January 23, 2013, the Board of Directors (the \u8220?Board\u8221?) of Ross Stores, Inc. (the \u8220?Company\u8221?) amended the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Company\u8217?s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the \u8220?Bylaws\u8221?). The full text of the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  amendments is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.4. The\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  amendments take effect immediately.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj The principal change to the Bylaws as a result of the amendments is to implement a majority voting standard with respect to uncontested elections of\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  directors. The amendments provide that a director nominee in an uncontested election is not elected unless he or she receives more votes\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  \u8220?for\u8221? election than votes \u8220?against\u8221? election and/or to \u8220?withhold\u8221? approval. A plurality voting standard remains\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  applicable to any election in which there are more candidates nominated than there are director seats to be filled.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj The foregoing description of the amendments to the Ross Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws is only a summary, does not purport to be complete,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the amendments to the Bylaws, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.4 and incorporated by\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  reference herein. The Amended and Restated Bylaws as in effect prior to these amendments are attached as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-Q filed by the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Company for its quarter ended October 29, 2011.{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_2}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_2}{\*\bkmkstart item_1_47_1}{\*\bkmkend item_1_47_1}\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~ \plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj (d) Exhibits.
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql No.\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\qc \~\~\~\~\~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc Description\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql 3.4\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Amendments adopted January 23, 2013 to the Ross Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws, last amended November 16, 2011\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qr 2\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par
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\par\pard\plain\fs16{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_3}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_3}\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc SIGNATURES\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Date: January 25, 2013
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\ql ROSS STORES, INC.\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql By:\~\~\~\~\~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql /s/J. Call\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql John G. Call\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Group Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Corporate Secretary\cell{
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\page
\par\pard\plain\fs16{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_4}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_4}\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc Exhibit Index
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql No.\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\~\~\~\~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Description\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql 3.4\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Amendments adopted January 23, 2013 to the Ross Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws, last amended November 16, 2011\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qr 4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par
\page{\*\bkmkstart doc_1_2}{\*\bkmkend doc_1_2}
\par\pard\plain\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qr Exhibit 3.4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\ul\qc Ross Stores, Inc.
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\ul\qc Amendments to Bylaws to Implement Majority Voting in Uncontested Elections
\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc (Adopted January 23, 2013)\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj [Added provisions are underlined.]\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Article I \u8211? Stockholders\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~ \plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Section 9. Proxies and Voting.\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\i\strike\qj All\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  In an election of directors that is not contested, only\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj those nominees who receive a majority approval vote shall\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  be elected. All other\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj   elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law or by an express provision of\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  these Bylaws, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively;\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  provided\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  ,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  however\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  , that proposals relating\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  to employee or director compensation or compensation plans may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, require such greater affirmative vote as is\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  specified in a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  For purposes of this Section, the meaning of \u8220?majority approval vote\u8221? and\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  \u8220?not\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  contested\u8221? shall be as provided in Article II, Section 13 below.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Article II \u8211? Board of Directors\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj  Section 1. Number and Term of Office.\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj The number of directors shall initially be nine and, thereafter, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption). Until the 2014 annual meeting of\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  stockholders, the directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  expire at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders and the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  term of office of the third class to expire at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual meeting of stockholders beginning in 2012, directors\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  shall be elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire, for a one-year term of office, to expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders after\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  their election. Beginning with the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, the entire Board of Directors shall be subject to election at each annual meeting\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  of stockholders, for a one-year term of office, to expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders after their election, and the Board of Directors will no\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  longer be divided into classes. All directors shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until their successors are elected,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  except in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director. Any\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\i\strike\qj  nominee\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj   incumbent director\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj   who stands for \plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\i\strike\qj  election\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj   reelection\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj   as a director\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  and who does not receive a majority approval vote (as defined in Section 13 below) shall promptly tender an offer of resignation in accordance with\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Section 13 below.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc ***\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj  Section 13. Majority Approval Vote in Director Elections; Required Offer of Resignation.\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Any incumbent director who was a nominee at a\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  stockholder meeting and who did not receive a majority approval vote, shall tender to the Board of Directors his or her offer of resignation for\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  consideration by the Board of Directors. Such offer of resignation shall be tendered within 14 days following the certification of the stockholder vote for\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  the respective election of directors. For purposes of this Section, (i) \u8220?majority approval vote\u8221? means that the number of votes cast by\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  stockholders \u8220?for\u8221? a nominee for director exceeds the sum of the number of votes cast \u8220?against\u8221? or to \u8220?withhold\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  approval\u8221? for such nominee, in an election that is not contested, and (ii) an election is \u8220?not contested\u8221? if the number of nominees is\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  not greater than the number of directors to be elected at the particular stockholder meeting.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qr 5\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~ \plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Within 60 days following certification of the stockholder vote, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (or such other committee of the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Board of Directors as is otherwise designated by the Board of Directors) shall recommend to the Board of Directors whether to accept or reject the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  resignation, or whether other action should be taken with respect to such offer of resignation, in regard to any incumbent directors who failed to receive a\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  majority approval vote in an election that was not contested. In determining whether or not to recommend that the Board of Directors accept any offer of\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  resignation, the reviewing committee shall be entitled to consider all factors believed relevant by such committee\u8217?s members, including such factors\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  and guidelines, if any, as may be set forth in the Corporation\u8217?s Corporate Governance Guidelines or other relevant policies that are then in effect.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  The Board of Directors shall act on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (or other committee) within 90 days\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  following certification of the stockholder vote. In determining whether or not to accept any resignation offer,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  or whether\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  other action should be taken\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\ul\qj  with respect to such offer of resignation,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj   the Board of Directors shall consider the factors considered by the recommending committee, and any additional\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  information and factors that the Board of Directors believes to be relevant. The Board of Directors shall, within five business days after reaching its\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  decision, publicly disclose the decision, including, if applicable, the reasons for not accepting an offer of resignation.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qr 6\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par}