
Ross Stores delivers real economic wins for American families with 17 new stores, creating jobs and affordable shopping options amid President Trump’s booming economy.
Story Highlights
- Ross Stores opened 17 new locations across 11 states in February and March 2026, including 13 Ross Dress for Less and 4 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores.
- These openings kick off a fiscal 2026 plan for 110 new stores, targeting 5% unit growth fueled by strong 2025 earnings.
- Expansion creates jobs, boosts local economies, and includes donations to Boys & Girls Clubs and First Book at each site.
- First dd’s DISCOUNTS store opens in Utah, reaching underserved regions such as the Sun Belt and the Midwest.
Initial Wave of Openings Builds Momentum
Ross Stores, Inc. announced the grand opening of 17 new stores in February and March across 11 states. The lineup includes 13 Ross Dress for Less locations in Mountain, Midwest, Northeast, and Sunbelt regions, plus 4 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in California, Texas, and Utah.
This first wave aligns with the company’s fiscal 2026 expansion plan for approximately 110 new stores, comprising 85 Ross and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS, to achieve 5% unit growth. Executive VP Richard Lietz emphasized the momentum from the 2025 performance.
Strong Financial Foundation Drives Growth
Ross Stores reported record Q4 2025 earnings with EPS of $2.00 versus $1.88 expected and revenue of $6.64 billion against $6.38 billion forecasted. Full-year 2025 sales rose 8% to $22.8 billion, with comparable store sales up 5%. These results follow 90 new stores opened in fiscal 2025, including acquisitions of bankrupt Rite Aid locations on the West Coast.
The company operates 1,917 Ross Dress for Less stores across 44 states, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico, plus 366 dd’s DISCOUNTS in 23 states. This off-price model thrives by offering brand-name discounts during economic pressures.
Ross opens more than a dozen new stores amid broader US expansion plan https://t.co/7cLpcNINSp
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 17, 2026
Job Creation and Community Support
Each new store opening generates local jobs and includes donations to youth nonprofits such as Boys & Girls Clubs and First Book. Richard Lietz highlighted the thrill of impacting communities through employment and value-driven retail.
The expansion targets underserved areas, such as the first DD’s DD’sOUNTS in Utah, supporting family budgets with affordable apparel and home goods.
Under President Trump’s pro-business policies, such private-sector initiatives counter past overspending and inflation, delivering tangible benefits to working Americans.
Local economies in 11 states gain from increased retail presence and philanthropy. Customers access significant discounts on excess brand inventory, reinforcing the resilience of off-price retail against e-commerce giants.
Long-Term Vision and Industry Confidence
Ross aims for 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores long-term. Industry analysts view the 5% growth positively, citing brick-and-mortar confidence despite e-commerce trends and Rite Aid repurposing.
Retail Dive notes steady footprint expansion from 90 stores in 2025. While some flag stock overvaluation, strong earnings fund the push. This validates physical retail recovery, pressuring competitors like TJX and Burlington while aiding families amid economic recovery.
Ross opens more than a dozen new stores amid broader US expansion planhttps://t.co/ULR8XsuJoM
— sharingfoxstories (@sharingfox71071) March 17, 2026
Short-term impacts include job gains and expanded access to discounts in growing regions. Long-term, Ross strengthens market dominance, aligning with conservative values of private enterprise and community self-reliance over government dependency.
Sources:
Investing.com: Ross Stores opens 17 locations, targets 110 new stores in 2026
Mass Market Retailers: Ross Stores kicks off 2026 store openings
PRNewswire: Ross Continues Expansion with the Opening of 17 Stores
Fibre2Fashion: US retailer Ross Stores begins 2026 expansion with new stores
Retail Dive: Ross opens 17 stores in brick-and-mortar expansion














