Stage Stores, Inc. reported that total sales for the month of November increased 6.6% to $110.6 million from $103.8 million in the prior year four-week period ended November 27, 2004. Comparable store sales increased 4.6% compared to an increase of 6.0% last year.

The Company noted that most of its merchandise categories achieved comparable store sales increases during the month, with women's special sizes, cosmetics and accessories posting double-digit gains of 11.0%, 10.6% and 10.2%, respectively.

Jim Scarborough, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our 4.6% comparable store sales increase in November clearly demonstrates that our customers continue to react favorably to our product offerings. Our November sales performance is particularly gratifying versus last year's 6.0% comparable store sales increase, and follows the extremely strong 14.9% comparable stores sales gain we achieved in October.”

Mr. Scarborough concluded, “We are delighted with the continued strength of our business. Our November sales performance gets us off to a good start on the upcoming holiday shopping period. The combination of our exceptional customer service, exciting merchandise selections, and our close-to-home locations should keep our customers coming to our Bealls, Palais Royal, Peebles, and Stage stores to fulfill their holiday shopping and gift-giving needs.”

                             SALES SUMMARY

                          Comparable Store Sales      Total Sales
                                   Trend
                           % Increase(Decrease)     ($ in Millions)
                           --------------------     ---------------
     Fiscal Period          2005          2004       2005       2004
     -------------          ----          ----       ----       ----
      1st Quarter            4.9%          4.5%   $310.1       $289.6
      2nd Quarter            7.0          (3.2)    309.4        279.9
      3rd Quarter            3.9           4.3     306.0        285.3
      November               4.6           6.0     110.6        103.8
 Year-To-Date (10 mos)       5.2           2.2   1,036.1        958.6

The Company reported that, during November, it opened new Peebles stores in Bardstown, KY, Bellefontaine, OH, Bremen, GA, Lewisburg, TN, Lexington, TN, Savannah, TN and Taylorsville, NC. In addition, a Stage store was opened in Forrest City, AR. These eight November openings complete the Company's fiscal 2005 store-opening program, under which 36 new stores were opened.

The Company further reported that it consolidated its two stores in Waxahachie, TX into one new, larger and more promising location to take advantage of incremental sales opportunities. The Company stated that it did the same thing with its two stores in Weslaco, TX. As a result of its store activity during the month, the Company ended November with 554 stores in operation.

The Company announced that, on November 30, 2005, its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 2.5 cents per share on the Company's common stock, payable on December 28, 2005 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2005.