Ross Stores August sales up 12%

PLEASANTON, Calif. Ross Stores today reported sales of $461 million for the four weeks ended Sept. 1, a 12% increase over the $410 million in sales for the four weeks ended Sept. 2, 2006. Same-store sales grew 4% for the month of August 2007, compared to a same-store sales increase of 3% for the four weeks ended Aug. 26, 2006.

For the seven months ended Sept. 1, sales were $3.32 billion, a 9% increase over the $3.04 billion in sales for the seven months ended Sept. 2, 2006. Comparable-store sales for the seven months ended Sept. 1 rose 2% over the seven months ended Sept. 2, 2006. Comparable-store sales rose 5% for the seven months ended August 26, 2006.

Michael Balmuth, vice chairman, president and ceo, commented, "Comparable-store sales in August were at the high end of our plan for a 2% to 4% increase. As expected, Texas and Florida were the strongest regions, benefiting from shifts in their sales tax holidays, which moved from July last year into August this year, as well as later back-to-school start dates. We estimate that the sales tax calendar shifts increased total reported comparable-store sales by at least 1% for the month. Looking ahead, we continue to forecast same-store sales gains of 1% to 3% for both September and October."