“We are excited to announce that we have raised our long-term projected store potential to 3,000 locations, up from the previous target of 2,500,” said CEO Barbara Rentler. “This is based on our research that indicates we can now further increase penetration in both existing and new markets and [is the]  result of a number of factors that include increases in population densities and [is] due in large trade areas from suburban growth."

Consequently, the company is anticipating that Ross Dress for Less can now grow to about 2,400 locations nationwide, says Rentler, up from the earlier target of 2,000, and that the DD’s Discounts division can get to be a chain of about 600 stores, up from the previous projection of 500. Ross Stores currently operates roughly 1,450 Ross Dress for Less stores and nearly 230 DD’s Discounts stores.

For the six months ended Aug. 4, same-store sales climbed by 4 percent. Looking ahead to this second half, Rentler maintains a generally positive outlook. “While we hope to do better, given our robust multiyear comparisons," she said, "we continue to forecast same-store sales to grow 1 percent to 2 percent for both [the] third and fourth quarters.”