Stein Mart Comps Inch-Up 0.7% in April

Stein Mart, Inc. total sales increases 1.8% to $124.0 million and comparable store sales increased 0.7% for the fiscal month ended April 29, 2006.

                                  Total Sales             Percent Change
                                                       Total      Comparable
    Fiscal Period:            2006         2005        Sales     Store Sales

    April (4 weeks)         $124.0       $121.7         1.8%         0.7%
    First quarter
     (13 weeks)             $364.8       $380.7        (4.2)%       (5.1)%

In April, the best performances came from men's and ladies' casual sportswear, and special size sportswear. The fashion areas of the new home assortment (furniture, seasonal, and top-of-bed) continued to gain strength. Geographically, sales were strongest in the mid-South, including Texas, and along the Gulf coast.

“We are pleased that our comparable store sales have turned positive and that customers are responding favorably to our seasonal apparel assortments,” noted Michael D. Fisher, president and chief executive officer. “We anticipate that the positive momentum will continue in May even as we begin to exit from children's apparel and continue the re-positioning of our home business.”