Ross Stores report strong performance

Discount apparel chain Ross Stores, today reported its sales

increased 11% to $725 million for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012, up from $651 million for the four weeks ended April 30, 2011. Comparable store sales for the month grew 7% on top of a very strong 10% increase last year.

For the quarter ended April 28, 2012, the company saw sales totaled to $2.357 billion, a 14% increase over the $2.075 billion in sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2011. Comparable store sales for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012 grew 9% over the prior year period.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with our April and first quarter sales which were well ahead of expectations. Our continued ability to deliver a wide array of name brand bargains to today's value-focused consumers drove broad-based merchandise and geographic gains in both periods."