Ross Stores Inc. is opening 30 Ross Dress for Less stores and nine DD’s Discount stores across 17 states.
The 39 new stores will complete the off-price retailer’s targeted opening tally of 66 new doors for the calendar year.
“We remain committed to growing our Ross and dd’s footprints across our existing markets as well as expansion into our newer markets. We added a total of 12 stores to our largest markets of California, Texas, and Florida, while opening two stores in Ross’ newest mid-western state, Ohio,” Gregg McGillis, group executive vice president, property development, said. “In addition, Ross and DD’s both expanded their presence into new states. Ross entered the state of West Virginia and now operates in 40 states and DD’s opened its first store in Arkansas and has locations in 21 states.”
With the new locations, Ross operates a total of 1,594 Ross Dress for Less off-price locations across 40 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. It also operates 275 DD’s Discounts in 21 states, which feature more moderately price first-quality, in-season name brand merchandise.
The off-pricer’s 66 new stores this year fall short of the initial slate of 100 planned store openings, which itself was two more than the 98 it opened in 2019. Most retailers this year pulled back on store opening, remodeling and renovation plans after the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.
Ross so far hasn’t changed its sights on reaching the 3,000 store threshold, a target set in August 2018, up from its prior goal of 2,500 locations. The Ross nameplate has been projected to grow to 2,400 locations and DD’s is expected to reach 600 stores.