Massive Expansion Benefits Shoppers

Person counting cash with wooden blocks depicting store icons — SHOPPERS BENEFITED BY THIS!

Ross Stores launches aggressive 110-store expansion in 2026, delivering jobs and affordable shopping to American families weary of inflation’s bite under past policies.

Story Highlights

Ross Stores opened 17 new stores across 11 states in February and March 2026, kicking off a plan for 110 total additions this year.
Expansion creates jobs and offers 20-60% discounts on brand-name goods, helping families stretch budgets in a recovering economy.
Company builds on strong 2025 performance with 90 prior openings and Q4 results beating expectations.
Targets growth in Midwest, Northeast, Sunbelt for Ross; California, Texas, and first Utah store for dd’s DISCOUNTS.
Each new store donates to youth organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, strengthening communities.

Initial Wave of Openings Completes

Ross Stores, Inc. opened 13 Ross Dress for Less and 4 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations across 11 states in February and March 2026. This first phase advances the company’s fiscal 2026 goal of 110 new stores, including 85 Ross and 25 dd’s, for 5% unit growth.

Executive Vice President Richard Lietz announced the milestone on March 9 via press release. Specific sites include a second Ross in Alhambra, California, on East Valley Boulevard, and a dd’s in North Hollywood on Sherman Way. These moves follow 90 openings in 2025.

Ross opens more than a dozen new stores amid broader US expansion plan https://t.co/7cLpcNINSp

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 17, 2026

Strong Financial Momentum Fuels Growth

Ross Stores reported Q4 2025 earnings per share of $2.00, surpassing the $1.88 forecast, with revenue at $6.64 billion against $6.38 billion expected.

Comparable sales grew 9%, driving the 2026 expansion. Founded in 1982, the company operates 1,917 Ross stores in 44 states, DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, plus 366 dd’s in 23 states.

Off-price model delivers apparel, home goods, and accessories at 20-60% below department store prices. This strategy thrives as consumers seek value post-inflation.

Analysts affirm the plan’s viability. UBS maintains Neutral with a $208 target, predicting Ross will outgrow department store peers. Wells Fargo rates Overweight at $235, citing strong Q1 comparable sales guidance of 7-8%.

Bernstein SocGen sets $200, noting Q4 comps strength. These views align with company projections for multi-year earnings growth toward 2,900 Ross and 700 dd’s locations long-term.

Job Creation and Community Benefits

New stores generate local jobs and economic boosts in underserved regions. Ross targets the Mountain, Midwest, Northeast, and Sunbelt areas; dd’s expands in California and Texas and opens its first Utah location.

Each opening includes donations to Boys & Girls Clubs and First Book literacy programs, supporting youth development. Lietz emphasized building on 2025 momentum to deliver customer value and community impact. This approach counters e-commerce and department store challenges.

Ross opens more than a dozen new stores amid broader US expansion plan https://t.co/7cLpcNINSp

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 17, 2026

President Trump’s pro-business policies foster such private-sector investments, enabling companies like Ross to expand without excessive government interference.

Families benefit from accessible discounts amid ongoing economic recovery from prior fiscal mismanagement. Uniform analyst optimism underscores Ross’s market dominance in off-price retail, signaling a shift toward practical American consumerism over wasteful spending.