About Ross Stores Inc

Ross Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate two brands of off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores—Ross Dress for Less (Ross) and dd’s DISCOUNTS. Ross is the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States, with locations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand 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. Ross’ target customers are primarily from middle income households. The company also operates dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in 21 states. dd’s DISCOUNTS features more moderately-priced first-quality, in-season, name brand 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. The typical dd’s DISCOUNTS store is located in an established shopping center in a densely populated urban or suburban neighborhood, and its target customers typically come from households with more moderate incomes than Ross customers. The merchant, store field, and distribution operations for Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS are separate. The two chains share certain corporate and support services. The company seeks to provide its customers with a wide assortment of first-quality, in-season, brand name and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home merchandise for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% below department and specialty store regular prices every day at Ross, and 20% to 70% below moderate department and discount store regular prices at dd’s DISCOUNTS. The company sells recognizable brand name merchandise that is on trend and fashionable in each category. New merchandise typically is received from three to six times per week at both Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. The company’s buyers review their merchandise assortments on a weekly basis, enabling them to respond to selling trends and purchasing opportunities in the market. The company’s stores offer a treasure-hunt shopping experience where customers can find great savings every day on a broad assortment of brand name bargains for the family and the home. The company has established merchandise assortments that are attractive to its target customers. Although the company may offer fewer classifications of merchandise than most department stores, the company offers a large selection within each classification, with a wide assortment of vendors, labels, prices, colors, styles, and fabrics within each size or item. The company’s merchandise offerings include, but are not limited to, apparel, footwear, accessories, small furniture, home accents, bed and bath, beauty, toys, luggage, gourmet food, cookware, jewelry and watches, and pet accessories. The Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS buying organizations are separate and distinct, and each includes merchandise management, buyers, and assistant buyers. Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS buyers have on average seven years of experience, including merchandising positions with other retailers. Stores The company operates Ross stores and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. The company’s stores are located predominantly in community and neighborhood shopping centers in heavily populated urban and suburban areas. Distribution The company operates distribution processing facilities where it receives and ships all of its merchandise to its stores. These distribution centers are large, highly automated, and built to suit its specific off-price business model. The company also operates warehouse facilities for packaway storage. The company utilizes a combination of owned, leased, and third-party cross-dock facilities to distribute merchandise from distribution centers to stores on a regional basis. Shipments are made by contract carriers to the stores three to six times per week depending on location. Marketing and Advertising The company uses a variety of marketing and advertising media to communicate its value proposition to customers—savings off the same brands carried at department or specialty stores every day. This includes a mix of television, digital channels, radio, and new store grand openings. Within digital channels, the company continues to grow its social media, digital video, and digital audio presence to communicate its brand positions. A mix of channels is important to reach the company’s customers. Trademarks The trademarks for ROSS, Ross Dress For Less, and dd’s DISCOUNTS have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Seasonality Although the company’s off-price business is subject to less seasonality than traditional retailers, sales are generally higher during the second half of the year (year ended January 2023), which includes the back-to-school and holiday seasons. History Ross Stores, Inc. was incorporated in 1957.