DUBLIN, Calif. – Ross Stores Inc. today said sales increased 13% in its second quarter on increased traffic to its stores. Comparable-store sales were up “a very strong 10%” in the quarter to August 1.
Second-quarter operating profits were $1.1 billion, which includes approximately $253 million in tariff refunds.
The off-price retailer opened 47 new stores in the quarter, 35 of which are Ross Dress for Less locations, and a dozen are dd’s Discounts stores.
“Our performance was fueled by our compelling merchandise offerings, engaging marketing initiatives, and continued enhancements to the in-store experience,” CEO Jim Conroy said.
Added Conroy, “We were pleased to see strength throughout the quarter, with comparable store sales growth once again primarily driven by customer traffic. Importantly, that growth was supported by both an increase in new customers and higher engagement from existing customers. These trends reinforce our belief that the actions we are taking are not only driving the current business performance but that we can continue to build on our early successes."
Data from Placer.ai suggests that foot traffic at Ross Dress Less locations was up 16.4% in the quarter and increased by 8.4% at dd’s Discounts stores. Placer.ai tracks visits by collecting anonymized geolocation data from mobile devices that have enabled location data sharing. The firm said Ross is being well-served by its position “at the deepest-discount end of the off-price segment.”
TJX Cos., the nation’s largest off-price retailer, this week reported a net sales increase of 5% and said comparable-store sales rose a better-than-expected 4%. However, it saw underperformance in its Marmaxx division, the company's largest, encompassing the TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Sierra banners.
Conroy said Ross was raising its outlook for the second half of the year. Comps are now expected to increase between 6% and 7% in the current quarter, and between 4% and 5% in th holiday quarter.
"From a store-growth perspective, we continue to be encouraged by the success of our expansion strategy across both new and existing markets, he said. "As a result, we are increasing our 2026 new store opening plan to 115 locations, consisting of approximately 90 Ross Dress for Less and 25 dd's DISCOUNTS stores."
