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 January, 2009, the company operated 904 Ross stores in 27 U.S. states and Guam, covering most of the country except for New England, Alaska, and a large area of the Midwest.

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.



Ross Department Store was first opened in San Bruno, California, in 1957 by Adali Baer. 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.