Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: ROST) opened 17 new stores in February and March across 11 states, comprising 13 Ross Dress for Less and four dd's DISCOUNTS locations.

The openings represent the initial phase of the company's fiscal 2026 expansion plan to add approximately 110 new stores, including about 85 Ross locations and 25 dd's DISCOUNTS stores. This expansion represents a 5% unit growth for the year.

"We are thrilled to kick off our 2026 expansion with new stores that bring great value to our customers and new jobs to communities across the country," said Richard Lietz, Executive Vice President of Property Development.

The Ross Dress for Less expansion included stores in the Mountain, Midwest, and Northeast regions, as well as key Sunbelt states. For dd's DISCOUNTS, the company added locations in California and Texas, and opened its first store in Utah.

Ross Stores made donations to local Boys & Girls Clubs or First Book literacy partners in celebration of each store opening.

The Dublin, California-based company reported fiscal 2025 revenues of $22.8 billion. Ross Stores currently operates 1,917 Ross Dress for Less locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, along with 366 dd's DISCOUNTS stores in 23 states.

Lietz indicated the company sees potential for 2,900 Ross locations and 700 dd's DISCOUNTS stores nationwide in the long term.