ROSS CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH THE OPENING OF 17 STORES

Rhea-AI Summary

Ross Stores (Nasdaq: ROST) opened 17 new locations in February–March 2026: 13 Ross Dress for Less and four dd's DISCOUNTS across 11 states. These openings begin a fiscal 2026 plan to add ~110 stores (about 85 Ross and 25 dd's), targeting ~5% unit growth this year.

The company reported fiscal 2025 revenue of $22.8 billion, operates 1,917 Ross and 366 dd's DISCOUNTS, and reiterated a long-term path to 2,900 Ross and 700 dd's stores.

Positive

• Opened 17 new stores in Feb–Mar 2026 across 11 states
• Fiscal 2026 plan to add ~110 stores (~85 Ross, 25 dd's) representing ~5% unit growth
• Fiscal 2025 revenue $22.8B provides scale backing expansion
• Current footprint of 1,917 Ross and 366 dd's shows large distribution base

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – ROST

+0.19%

1 alert

+0.19% News Effect

On the day this news was published, ROST gained 0.19%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

New stores opened: 17 stores Ross openings: 13 stores dd's DISCOUNTS openings: 4 stores +5 more

8 metrics

New stores opened 17 stores First wave of fiscal 2026 expansion during February and March

Ross openings 13 stores Ross Dress for Less locations in first 2026 expansion wave

dd's DISCOUNTS openings 4 stores dd's DISCOUNTS locations in first 2026 expansion wave

Planned 2026 openings 110 new stores Fiscal 2026 plan, about 85 Ross and 25 dd's DISCOUNTS

Planned unit growth 5% Target total unit growth in fiscal 2026

Long-term Ross target 2,900 stores Stated long-term potential Ross Dress for Less locations

Long-term dd's target 700 stores Stated long-term potential dd's DISCOUNTS locations

Fiscal 2025 revenue $22.8 billion Company-reported fiscal 2025 revenues

Market Reality Check

Price: $209.84 Vol: Volume 2,409,704 is below...

normal vol

$209.84 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,409,704 is below 20-day average 2,810,894 (relative volume 0.86x). normal

Technical Price 211.75 trades above 200-day MA 161.05 and about 2.33% below the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peer scanner does not flag a sector-wide move, though several apparel peers show...

1 Down

Peer scanner does not flag a sector-wide move, though several apparel peers show declines today (e.g., BURL -3.66%, GAP -3.44%, LULU -0.96%, TJX -0.22%, BOOT -0.36%). Momentum data captured only BKE at -5.72% with no news.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 03 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 03	Earnings beat	Positive	+8.0%	Q4 and full-year 2025 sales, margins, EPS came in above guidance.
Feb 17	Earnings call notice	Neutral	+1.1%	Announced timing and access details for Q4 and FY2025 earnings release.
Jan 26	Leadership obituary	Negative	-0.8%	Reported the passing of former chairman and CEO Norman A. Ferber.
Nov 24	Board succession	Neutral	+1.4%	Detailed Board chair transition and reduction of authorized Board seats.
Nov 20	Earnings beat	Positive	+8.4%	Q3 FY2025 EPS and sales exceeded prior year with raised guidance and buybacks.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive news (earnings beats and outlook raises) has typically seen the stock respond positively and in line with the news tone.

Recent Company History

Over the past several months, Ross reported strong operating momentum. On Nov 20, 2025, it exceeded Q3 earnings guidance and raised its full-year outlook, with the stock rising 8.41%. A Board chair succession announcement on Nov 24, 2025 coincided with a modest gain. In early 2026, the company announced the passing of former CEO Norman Ferber, which saw a small negative move. Most recently, on Mar 3, 2026, Ross posted Q4 and FY2025 results well above guidance, driving an 8.03% gain. Today’s store expansion update follows this period of strong fundamental performance.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Ross’s ongoing physical expansion, with 17 new stores opened and a fisc...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Ross’s ongoing physical expansion, with 17 new stores opened and a fiscal 2026 plan for about 110 locations, targeting roughly 5% unit growth. Management also articulated a long-term path to 2,900 Ross and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. In context of record fiscal 2025 revenue of $22.8 billion, investors may track future updates on store productivity, regional performance, and any adjustments to growth targets or capital return plans.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

EXPECTS 110 LOCATIONS IN 2026

DUBLIN, Calif., March 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) announced the grand opening of 17 new stores nationwide during February and March, including 13 Ross Dress for Less^® ("Ross") and four dd's DISCOUNTS^® locations across 11 states. These openings represent the first wave of the Company's fiscal 2026 expansion plan to add approximately 110 new stores – about 85 Ross and 25 dd's DISCOUNTS – for a total unit growth of 5% this year.

"We are thrilled to kick off our 2026 expansion with new stores that bring great value to our customers and new jobs to communities across the country," said Richard Lietz, Executive Vice President, Property Development. "Following strong new store performance in 2025, these openings build on that momentum. We expanded Ross Dress for Less in the Mountain, Midwest, and Northeast regions while also strengthening our presence in key Sunbelt states. For dd's, we added new stores in our core markets of California and Texas, as well as our inaugural location in Utah."

In celebration of each opening and in keeping with the Company's longstanding commitment to supporting underprivileged youth, the Company made a donation to a local Boys & Girls Club or a First Book literacy partner. These contributions help deliver safe, supportive programming, reinforcing the Company's belief that strong communities start with strong opportunities for young people.

"Looking forward, we remain confident in our long-term growth potential and see a clear path to 2,900 Ross locations and 700 dd's DISCOUNTS stores across the country," said Mr. Leitz.

For more information on these new openings, please visit Ross Dress for Less Grand Openings and dd's DISCOUNTS Grand Openings.

About Ross Stores, Inc.
Ross Stores, Inc. is an S&P 500, Fortune 500, and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Dublin, California, with fiscal 2025 revenues of $22.8 billion. Currently, the Company operates Ross Dress for Less^® ("Ross"), the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States with 1,917 locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% off department and specialty store regular prices every day. The Company also operates 366 dd's DISCOUNTS^® stores in 23 states that feature a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 70% off moderate department and discount store regular prices every day. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.

Contact:	Connie Kao
	Senior Vice President, Investor & Media Relations
	(925) 965-4668
	connie.kao@ros.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ross-continues-expansion-with-the-opening-of-17-stores-302707281.html

SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

FAQ

How many new stores did Ross (ROST) open in early 2026?

Ross opened 17 new stores in February–March 2026, including 13 Ross and four dd's DISCOUNTS. According to the company, these are the first wave of a fiscal 2026 plan to open approximately 110 new stores across the U.S.

What is Ross Stores' (ROST) 2026 store growth plan and expected unit increase?

Ross plans to add about 110 stores in fiscal 2026, roughly 85 Ross and 25 dd's. According to the company, this expansion equates to about a 5% increase in total store count for the year.

How large is Ross Stores' (ROST) existing store base before the 2026 openings?

Before these openings, Ross operated 1,917 Ross stores and 366 dd's locations across the U.S. According to the company, that footprint underpins its planned further expansion to reach long-term store targets.

What long-term store targets did Ross (ROST) reiterate in March 2026?

Ross reiterated a path to about 2,900 Ross locations and 700 dd's stores nationally. According to the company, those targets reflect its long-term growth outlook and geographic expansion goals.