Ross Stores Accelerates Brick-and-Mortar Growth with 17 Openings

In a retail landscape frequently characterized by digital transformation, Ross Stores, Inc. continues to demonstrate the enduring power of physical storefronts. The off-price giant recently announced the opening of 17 new locations during February and March, signaling a robust start to its 2026 fiscal year expansion plans. This latest move includes 13 namesake Ross Dress for Less stores and four DD’s Discounts locations across various markets.

Strategic Expansion and Real Estate Maneuvers

The recent openings are the first phase of a broader corporate strategy to add 110 new locations throughout 2026. According to Retail Dive, the company intends to split these openings between 85 Ross stores and 25 DD’s Discounts. This aggressive growth follows a successful 2025, where the retailer added 90 stores to its portfolio.

A significant portion of this growth has been fueled by opportunistic real estate acquisitions. In the previous fiscal year, Ross capitalized on the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, acquiring several former pharmacy locations, particularly in West Coast markets, to convert into off-price retail spaces. This ability to pivot and repurpose existing retail footprints is a hallmark of the company’s property development strategy.

Richard Lietz, Executive Vice President of Property Development for Ross Stores, emphasized the company's confidence in its physical footprint. In a statement, Lietz noted that the company sees a clear path to eventually operating 2,900 Ross locations and 700 DD’s Discounts stores nationwide. Currently, the company operates 1,917 Ross Stores across 44 states and 366 DD’s Discounts in 23 states.

Financial Resilience in a Dynamic Market

The expansion comes on the heels of strong financial performance. In the fourth quarter, Ross reported a 12% increase in sales, reaching $6.6 billion, while comparable store sales rose by 9%. For the full fiscal year, total sales climbed 8% to $22.8 billion. These figures underscore the resilience of the off-price sector as consumers continue to prioritize value amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

CEO Jim Conroy attributed this success to a disciplined management approach and a focus on merchandising excellence. Conroy stated that despite challenges such as tariffs and consumer uncertainty in the first half of the year, underlying trends improved as the company enhanced its marketing programs and shopping experience. This focus on the "treasure hunt" experience remains a key differentiator for Ross, driving consistent foot traffic that many traditional department stores struggle to replicate.

The Bentonville Omnichannel Perspective

For the Bentonville business community and omnichannel professionals, the growth of Ross Stores provides critical insights into the "phygital" retail ecosystem. While many retailers are investing heavily in e-commerce, the off-price sector remains one of the few areas where a brick-and-mortar-first strategy continues to yield high margins and customer loyalty.

The logistical demands of supporting 110 new openings a year require a highly sophisticated supply chain. As Ross expands, its influence on merchandising trends and vendor relationships grows, creating a ripple effect that impacts global supply chain dynamics. Professionals in the Northwest Arkansas retail corridor closely monitor these expansions, as they represent significant competition for consumer discretionary spending and set benchmarks for store-level operational efficiency.

Key Growth Statistics:

2026 Target: 110 new stores (85 Ross, 25 DD’s Discounts).
Current Footprint: 2,283 total stores across both banners.
Long-term Goal: 3,600 total stores.
Q4 Sales Growth: 12% year-over-year.

As Ross Stores continues its upward trajectory, the focus remains on delivering the "great value" promised to its customer base while expanding into under-served communities. By maintaining a disciplined approach to real estate and a sharp eye on merchandising, the retailer is positioning itself as a dominant force in the next era of American retail.