Ross Stores Reports Strong August Sales and Forecasted Third Quarter And 2001 EPS

Search Blogs that Mention this News Release

Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services

Click this link to view linked Blogging Services

Ross Stores Reports Strong August Sales and Forecasted Third Quarter And 2001 EPS

    NEWARK, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST)
today reported sales of $238 million for the four week period ended
September 1, 2001, a 20% increase above the $198 million in sales for the
four weeks ended September 2, 2000. Comparable store sales for the same period
increased 9% on a day-for-day basis over the prior year.
    For the seven months through September 1, 2001, sales were $1.637 billion,
a 9% increase above the $1.504 billion in sales for the prior year's
comparable period ended September 2, 2000. Comparable store sales for the same
period increased 1% on a day-for-day basis over the prior year.
    Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are
very pleased with the significant improvement in sales trends we realized in
August, which benefited from broadbased strength throughout most major markets
and merchandise departments. We also believe that customers are responding
favorably to the steps we have taken over the past several months to
strengthen our merchandise offerings. These include increasing the levels of
nationally-recognized name brand product, creating a more balanced mix of
ladies career vs. casual apparel, and adding more diversity in our home
assortments."
    Mr. Balmuth continued, "Total sales also benefited from the opening in
August of three new stores located in El Cerrito, California; Nampa, Idaho;
and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These are the first of 22 new openings scheduled
for the third quarter, our largest opening group of the year. We are happy to
report that the new stores we have opened in 2001 continue to generate healthy
sales."
    Mr. Balmuth concluded, "Based on the stronger business trends in July and
August, we are adopting a slightly more optimistic outlook for sales and
earnings over the balance of 2001. If same store sales are up 4% to 6% in
September, up 2% to 4% in October, and up 1% to 3% for the fourth quarter, we
estimate that earnings per share will be in the range of $.42 to $.44 for the
third quarter, vs. $.36 in the prior year; $.50 to $.54 for the
fourth quarter, vs. $.56 in the prior year; and $1.79 to $1.85 for fiscal
2001, vs. $1.82 in the prior year. Fiscal 2001 is a 52-week year compared to
53 weeks in fiscal 2000. The 53rd week added $40 million in revenue and
$.07 in earnings per share to fiscal 2000, which is included in the
fourth quarter and fiscal 2000 reported results."
    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 September 6, 2001 through 8:00 p.m. eastern
time on September 7, 2001. A transcript of these comments also will be made
available on the press release page of the company's web site at
http://www.rossstores.com.
    Forward-Looking Statements:  This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from
management's current expectations. The words "expect," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "believe," "forecast," "projected" and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors include obtaining acceptable
new store locations, competitive pressures in the apparel industry, changes in
economic conditions, changes in the level of consumer spending on or
preferences in apparel or home-related merchandise, the availability of
dependable energy resources at reasonable costs, unseasonable weather trends,
and greater than planned operating costs. Other risk factors are detailed in
the company's Form 10-K for fiscal 2000. 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 the company's outlook
at any other point in time. The company does not undertake to update or revise
these forward-looking statements.
    Ross Stores, Inc. operates a chain of off-price retail stores offering
first quality, in-season, branded apparel and apparel-related merchandise for
the entire family at prices that average 20% to 60% less than department and
specialty stores, as well as merchandise for the home at similar savings. The
company had 434 stores at September 1, 2001, compared to 392 stores at the end
of the same period last year.

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

http://www.rossstores.com
Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/764175.html
CONTACT:
John G. Call, Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, +1-510-505-4315, or Katie Loughnot, Director,
Investor Relations, +1-510-505-4509, or katie.loughnot@ros.com,
both of Ross Stores, Inc.