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{\*\bkmkstart filing_1}{\*\bkmkend filing_1}{\*\bkmkstart doc_1_1}{\*\bkmkend doc_1_1}\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 December 4, 2009\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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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc Delaware\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc 0-14678\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc 94-1390387\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (State or other jurisdiction of\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\qc \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc (Commission File No.)\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\qc \~\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)\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\qc \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\qc No.)\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\qc \~\cell{
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx3600\clvertalb\cellx7200\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248\row}}}\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\ql 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\ql  following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql [\~\~ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql [\~\~ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql [\~\~ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql [\~\~ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par
\page{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_1}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_1}{\*\bkmkstart item_1_41_1}{\*\bkmkend item_1_41_1}\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj (b) (c) On December 4, 2009, Ross Stores, Inc. (the \u8220?Company\u8221?) issued a press release announcing officer promotions, including the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  following executive officers: Barbara Rentler, to the position of President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Ross Dress for Less; Michael B.\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  O\u8217?Sullivan, to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer; and James S. Fassio, to the position of President and Chief Development\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Officer. Ms. Rentler and Messrs. O\u8217?Sullivan and Fassio will continue to report to Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  who will discontinue using the title of \u8220?President\u8221? in connection with these promotions. The full text of the Company\u8217?s press release\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.{\*\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\fs16\b\qj (c) Exhibits.
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql 99.1\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql December 4, 2009 Press Release by Ross Stores, Inc.*\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16{\*\bkmkstart part_1_2_3}{\*\bkmkend part_1_2_3}\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: December 7, 2009
\par\pard\plain
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\ql ROSS STORES, INC.\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Registrant\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql By:\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql /s/M. LeHocky\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Mark L. LeHocky\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 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate\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 Secretary\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\page{\*\bkmkstart doc_1_2}{\*\bkmkend doc_1_2}\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\b\qc Exhibit 99.1
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\pard\plain\intbl\f0\fs16\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\par\pard\plain
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248
\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\b\ul\ql Contact:\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql John G. Call\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Bobbi Chaville\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248\row}}}
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248
\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Senior Vice President\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Senior Director, Investor Relations\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248\row}}}
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248
\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql Chief Financial Officer\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql (925) 965-4289\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248\row}}}
{\trowd\clvertalb\cellx1332\clvertalb\cellx5580\clvertalb\cellx10800\trrh248
\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql (925) 965-4315\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell\pard\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql email:\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs16\ql bobbi.chaville@ros.com\plain\intbl\cf1\f51\fs20\ql \~\cell{
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\par\pard\plain\fs16\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qc ROSS STORES ANNOUNCES NEW SENIOR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\i\qc Barbara Rentler, Michael O\u8217?Sullivan and James Fassio Promoted to President\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\qj Pleasanton, California, December 4, 2009\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today announced a new senior management structure which it\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  believes will enhance the Company\u8217?s prospects for growth and profitability over the long term. Effective immediately:\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Barbara Rentler, 52, formerly Executive Vice President, Merchandising of Ross Dress for Less, has been promoted to President and Chief\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  Merchandising Officer. In her new role, she will continue to manage all apparel and apparel-related merchandising at Ross, as well as take on\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  responsibility for the Ross home businesses.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Michael O\u8217?Sullivan, 45, formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, becomes President and Chief Operating\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  Officer. Mr. O\u8217?Sullivan will add store operations to his responsibilities which currently include supply chain, information technology,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  strategy, finance, legal and human resources.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj James Fassio, 54, previously Executive Vice President, Property Development, Construction and Store Design, has been named President and\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  Chief Development Officer. Mr. Fassio will continue to oversee the Company\u8217?s entire real estate strategy, including new store\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  development, construction and store design for both Ross Dress for Less and dd\u8217?s DISCOUNTS.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc 3\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\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Ms. Rentler and Messrs. O\u8217?Sullivan and Fassio, along with Douglas Baker, Executive Vice President, Merchandising of dd\u8217?s\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  DISCOUNTS, will continue to report directly to Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj The following executive promotions also are effective immediately:\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Lisa Panattoni, 47, formerly Executive Vice President, Merchandising for the Ross Dress for Less home businesses, has been promoted to\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  Group Executive Vice President and is adding men\u8217?s and children\u8217?s to her current responsibilities.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Bernard Brautigan, 44, has been promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President, Merchandising for misses better sportswear\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  as well as shoes, accessories, jewelry, lingerie and ladies hosiery.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Jennifer Vecchio, 44, has been promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President, Merchandising for East Coast men\u8217?s\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  and children\u8217?s.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj In commenting, Michael Balmuth said, \u8220?We are thrilled to announce the promotions of these proven executives. Our strong senior management\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  team, comprised of experienced and highly skilled off-price talent, gives us the ability to develop this new organizational structure to support the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  long-term leadership needs of our business.\u8221?\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Mr. Balmuth continued, \u8220?Barbara Rentler is a gifted merchant and demonstrated leader with 23 years of extensive merchandising experience\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  throughout all areas of our business. She joined the Company in 1986 as a buyer and has held increasingly responsible management roles. Barbara was\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Executive Vice President, Merchandising of Ross Dress for Less since December 2006 and Chief Merchandising Officer of dd\u8217?s DISCOUNTS from\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  2004 to 2006. She also served as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Ross from 2001 to 2004. I am confident that Barbara will\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  continue to be successful in her new position as she takes on responsibility for all Ross Dress for Less merchandising.\u8221?\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj \u8220?Michael O\u8217?Sullivan is an exceptionally talented executive with almost 20 years of senior management and consulting experience. He\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  joined Ross six years ago as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Marketing and was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Administrative Officer in 2005. Prior to joining Ross, he was a partner with Bain & Company where he spent 13 years working with retail, consumer\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  goods and financial services firms. I am certain that his effective strategic and management skills will make him successful in his new role,\u8221? said\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  Mr. Balmuth.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc 4\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\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj \u8220?Jim Fassio is a highly skilled real estate executive with more than 30 years of in-depth retail experience. He joined Ross in 1988 as Vice\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  President of Real Estate and has been instrumental in successfully executing the Company\u8217?s real estate growth strategy over the past 21 years as\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  we have grown to more than 1,000 locations. Jim\u8217?s contributions have been critical to our past success, and I am certain they will remain a key\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  driver of our profitable growth in the future,\u8221? continued Mr. Balmuth.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj \u8220?Lisa Panattoni is an outstanding off-price merchant with over 20 years of merchandising management experience. Following 14 years at The\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  TJX Companies, she joined Ross in 2004 as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Ross home and was promoted to Executive Vice\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  President in 2005. Lisa has proven herself to be an excellent merchant, driving sustained growth in the home businesses over the past five years. Her\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  promotion demonstrates our ongoing confidence in her merchandising and leadership skills as we further expand her role with the addition of the\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  men\u8217?s and children\u8217?s businesses,\u8221? said Mr. Balmuth.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Mr. Balmuth continued, \u8220?Both Bernie Brautigan and Jennifer Vecchio are superior merchants with broad knowledge and expertise in off-price\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  retailing. Their promotions to Executive Vice President reflect their past contributions and our belief that going forward they will continue to be\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  outstanding leaders of our merchandising organization.\u8221?\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj Mr. Brautigan and Ms. Vecchio joined Ross in 2003 and 1997, respectively. Both came to the Company after numerous years of merchandising\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  experience at Macy\u8217?s East. They began their careers at Ross as Vice Presidents and Divisional Merchandise Managers and have held increasingly\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  responsible merchandising management roles over that time.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj The Company is also pleased to announce the promotions of the following individuals to Senior Vice President:\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Angela Culhane, 51,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj previously Group Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager has been promoted to Senior Vice President and\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  General Merchandise Manager of housewares, cosmetics and fragrances.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Susanne DeMarco, 40,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj has been promoted from Group Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager to Senior Vice President and\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  General Merchandise Manager of shoes.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Joyce Pearson,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj 63, has been promoted from Group Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager to Senior Vice President and General\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj  Merchandise Manager of dresses.\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\fi-360\ls1\ilvl0\qj Gregg McGillis,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj 53,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\li720\qj formerly Group Vice President has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Property Development.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc 5\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\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj In conclusion, Mr. Balmuth said, \u8220?Our actions today recognize these key executives\u8217? prior accomplishments and our ongoing belief in\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  their excellent business acumen and management capabilities. I am confident that this new leadership structure will position the Company for future\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  growth and profitability while enhancing shareholder value over the long term.\u8221?\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs20\qj \~\~\~\~\~\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\b\i\ul\qj Forward-Looking Statements\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj : This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  our actual results to differ materially from management\u8217?s current expectations. The words \u8220?plan,\u8221? \u8220?expect,\u8221?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  \u8220?target,\u8221? \u8220?anticipate,\u8221? \u8220?estimate,\u8221? \u8220?believe,\u8221? \u8220?forecast,\u8221? \u8220?projected,\u8221?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  \u8220?guidance,\u8221? \u8220?looking ahead\u8221? and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Dress for\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  Less\plain\cf1\f51\fs11\i\qj\super  \u174?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj   (\u8220?Ross\u8221?) and dd\u8217?s DISCOUNTS\plain\cf1\f51\fs11\i\qj\super  \u174?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj   include without limitation, competitive pressures in the apparel or home-related\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  merchandise industry; changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences for apparel or home-related merchandise, including the potential\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  impact from uncertainty in financial and credit markets and the severity and duration of the current recession; changes in geopolitical and general\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  economic conditions; unseasonable weather trends; disruptions in supply chain; lower than planned gross margin, including higher than planned\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  markdowns and higher than expected inventory shortage; greater than planned operating costs; our ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  merchandise at desirable discounts; our ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute our strategies; our ability to\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  effectively operate our various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; our ability to improve our merchandising capabilities\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  through the development and implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  efficiency in our distribution centers; and obtaining acceptable new store locations. Other risk factors are detailed in our SEC filings including, without\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 and Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks for fiscal 2009. The factors underlying our forecasts are dynamic and subject to\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  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\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\i\qj  not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.\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\qj Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation\u8217?s second largest\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  off-price retailer with fiscal 2008 revenues of $6.5 billion. As of November 28, 2009 the Company operated 955 Ross Dress for Less\plain\cf1\f51\fs11\qj\super  \u174?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  (\u8220?Ross\u8221?) stores in 27 states and Guam and 53 dd\u8217?s DISCOUNTS\plain\cf1\f51\fs11\qj\super  \u174?\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj   locations in four states. Ross offers first-quality, in-season,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  and specialty store regular prices. dd\u8217?s DISCOUNTS features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel,\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qj  prices. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.\par\pard\plain\f0\fs16\par\pard\plain\cf1\f51\fs16\qc 6\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par\pard\plain\f0\fs2\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw15\brdrcf2\brdrsp0\par\pard\plain\f0\fs4\par}