Ross Stores, Inc. opened 17 new stores nationwide in February and March 2026, comprising 13 Ross Dress for Less locations and four dd’s DISCOUNTS sites across 11 states. These openings mark the first wave of the company’s fiscal 2026 expansion plan, which targets roughly 110 new stores—about 85 Ross and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS—representing a 5 % increase in unit count for the year.
The new Ross Dress for Less stores are located in the Mountain, Midwest, and Northeast regions, while the dd’s DISCOUNTS sites are in California, Texas, and the chain’s inaugural location in Utah. Each new store is expected to create jobs in the local communities it serves.
The expansion follows a strong Q4 2025 performance: revenue of $6.64 billion versus an estimate of $6.42 billion, earnings per share of $2.00 versus $1.90, and comparable store sales up 9 % year‑over‑year. For fiscal 2025, Ross reported record revenue of $22.8 billion (an 8 % increase), comparable store sales growth of 5 %, and earnings per share of $6.61.
Guidance for fiscal 2026 reflects continued confidence: earnings per share are projected at $7.02 to $7.36, with Q1 EPS expected between $1.60 and $1.67 and comparable store sales growth of 7‑8 %. The company also authorized a $2.55 billion share‑repurchase program and raised its quarterly dividend by 10 %.
Management highlighted the momentum behind the expansion. Richard Lietz, Executive Vice President of Property Development, said the new store openings build on the strong performance seen in 2025. James Conroy, CEO, noted that the operational changes that drove comparable store sales growth also improved new‑store productivity, reinforcing confidence in accelerating the opening schedule.
The first wave of 110 new stores aligns with Ross’s long‑term goal of 2,900 Ross and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations. The expansion demonstrates the company’s confidence in its off‑price model and its ability to capture market share amid a competitive retail landscape.
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