Ross Stores Inc.

Infobox_Company | company_name = Ross Stores, Inc. | company_| company_type = Public (NASDAQ|ROST) | company_slogan = "There's No Comparison" | foundation = 1957 (San Bruno, California)| location = Pleasanton, California | key_people = Michael Balmuth, CEO
industry = Retail | products = Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, and housewares. | homepage = http://www.rossstores.com/ |

Ross Stores, Inc. nasdaq|ROST is a chain of American off-price department stores. It is the nation's third largest off-price retailer (behind T.J. Maxx and Marshalls) with fiscal 2005 revenues of $4.9 billion. As of February 3, 2007, the company operated 771 Ross stores in 27 U.S. states and Guam, [ [http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=64847&p=irol-irhome Ross Overview Company Profile] ] covering most of the country except for New England, Alaska, and a large area of the midwest. [ [http://rossstores.findlocation.com/ Ross Store Locator] ]

Ross offers brand name clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, fine jewelry, beauty products, and housewares. All merchandise is 20 - 60% below regular department and specialty store prices.

History

Ross Department Store was first opened in San Bruno, California, in 1957 by Adali Baer. [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Ross-Stores-Inc-Company-History.html Ross Stores, Inc. - Company History ] ] The next store was established in Pacifica, California, in the late 1950s. The format of Ross was changed to an off-price department store in 1982.

Ross also operates the dd's Discounts chain of clothing and furniture stores, designed to cater to lower-income consumers with prices below those of the main Ross stores. Ross and dd's Discounts stores often operate side by side in space formerly used by a large box store such as a grocery store and then subdivided. While a part of the same company, both stores operate completely independently and carry different merchandise assortments. In 1984, Ross acquired the Plumas chain from Target.

References

External links

* [http://www.rossstores.com/ Ross Official Website]