Ross Stores, Inc.reported that sales increased 8 percent to $715 million for the four weeks ended Oct. 27,  up from $661 million in sales for the four weeks in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the month grew 4 percent on top of a 5 percent increase in the prior year.

For the quarter ended October 27, 2012, sales were $2.263 billion, up 11 percent over the $2.046 billion in sales for the quarter ended October 29, 2011. Same store sales for the third quarter increased 6 percent versus a 5 percent gain in the prior year.

For the nine months ended October 27, 2012, sales totaled $6.960 billion, a 12 percent increase over the $6.210 billion in sales for the nine months ended October 29, 2011. Comparable store sales for the nine months ended October 27, 2012 grew 7 percent on top of a 5 percent gain in 2011.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “With October performing at the high end of our projections, we expect to report another quarter of solid, above-plan growth in both sales and earnings. We also remain well positioned as a value retailer in the current environment, and our business continues to benefit from our ongoing ability to deliver a wide assortment of fresh and exciting name brand fashions to today's bargain-oriented consumers.”

Balmuth continued, “Earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended October 27, 2012 are now projected to be in the range of $.71 to $.72, up slightly from our prior guidance of $.70 to $.71 mainly due to higher merchandise margin. This forecasted range compares to $.63 in earnings per share for the same period last year.”