Ross has posted strong results for the second quarter ended on 1 August 2026, with total sales increasing by 13 per cent to $6.3bn.
The company’s second quarter operating profits reached $1.1bn, boosted by a positive $253m impact from tariff refunds.
The off-price retailer’s operating margin increased by 205 basis points, excluding the benefit from tariff refunds.
Ross expanded its retail footprint by opening 47 new locations over the quarter, which included 35 Ross and 12 dd’s Discounts.
Moving forward, the retailer has increased its 2026 store opening plans to 115 new locations.
The company’s net income for the second quarter rose to $851m compared to $508m last year, while earnings per share (EPS) rose to $2.66 from $1.56 in the previous year.
Jim Conroy, CEO of Ross, said: “We achieved stellar sales and earnings growth in the second quarter. I am incredibly proud of our teams across the company, whose dedication and strong execution drove these outstanding results.
“Our performance was fueled by our compelling merchandise offerings, engaging marketing initiatives, and continued enhancements to the in-store experience. We were pleased to see strength throughout the quarter, with comparable store sales growth once again primarily driven by customer traffic.”
During the first six months of fiscal 2026, sales increased by 17 per cent to $12.3bn, which marks a significant increase from $10.5bn in 2025.
The company’s first-half net income was $1.5bn compared to $987m in the last year; the whole EPS was $4.69 compared to $3.03 at the same time in the year prior.
The second quarter results include approximately $253m in tariff refunds, with an improved EPS by approximately $0.60.
Moving forward, the company has now raised its outlook despite ongoing cost headwinds compared to the previous year.
Comparable store sales are now expected to increase by 6 per cent to 7 per cent in the third quarter and by between 4 per cent and 5 per cent in the fourth quarter.
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