Ross Stores posts 5% Sept. sales increase

PLEASANTON, Calif. Ross Stores reported sales of $561 million for the five weeks ended Oct. 4, a 5% increase over $537 million in 2007. Same-store sales for September declined 2%.

"During September, we experienced an unexpected slowdown from our healthy same-store sales trend for the first seven months of the year," stated vice chairman, president and ceo Michael Balmuth. "Weather was a significant factor during the month as we estimate that the combination of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Tropical Storm Hannah, and unseasonably warm weather throughout the western United States reduced comparable-store sales by about 2%. We also believe that the recent disruptions in the credit and financial markets have had a negative impact on the consumer."