Ross Adds 19 Stores in March, Plans to Open 90 Locations in 2025
Ross Stores announced Monday it opened 16 Ross Dress for Less and three dd's Discounts stores in 14 states in March, reports USA TODAY. According to the discount retailer, these new locations are part of the company's plans to add approximately 90 new stores in 2025, made up of 80 Ross and 10 dd's Discounts stores. According to a news release, Ross Stores now operates a total of 2,205 Ross Dress for Less and dd's Discounts stores across 44 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. The company "remains confident" that Ross can grow to 2,900 locations and dd's Discounts can grow to 700 stores "given consumers' ongoing focus on value and convenience."
Total Retail's Take: As a variety of retailers struggle to reach or maintain profitability and keep stores open, Ross Stores is aggressively adding locations. The off-price retailer is building on its recent growth, including positive fourth-quarter 2024 sales and earnings results. Comparable store sales for fiscal 2024 grew by 3 percent, building on a 5 percent gain in fiscal 2023. Ross Stores added 75 new Ross Dress for Less stores and 14 dd's Discounts location last year, and is now continuing its expansion in 2025.
According to the company, Ross Dress for Less is the "largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States" and offers "first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions." The company says dd's features a more "moderately priced assortment" of the same types of products. As consumers continue to be cautious with their wallets during economic uncertainty, it makes sense that discount retailers such as Ross would benefit.
Ross Stores CEO Jim Conroy joined the off-price retailer from Boot Barn in February. The success that he enjoyed as Boot Barn's leader will be expected to continue at the helm of Ross Stores.
Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Total Retail and sister brands Women in Retail Leadership Circle and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment—or at home on Zoom—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.
Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.
