Stage Stores, Inc.
reported that its total sales for
the five week March period ended April 3, 2010 increased 12.0% to
$140
million from $125 million a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 8.6% this year versus a
decrease of 15.0% last year.


The department store operator stated that its accessories, children’s, cosmetics, dresses,

footwear, junior’s and petites categories had double-digit
comparable
store sales gains. With regard to region of the country, all
regions
achieved comparable store sales increases, with the Southeast and
Mid
Atlantic regions posting double-digit gains.

                   SALES SUMMARY
                   Comparable Store Sales Trend    Total Sales
                   % Increase (Decrease)           ($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period      2010       2009                 2010  2009
February           (3.9)%     (8.6)%               $99         $101
March              8.6        (15.0)               140         125
1st Qtr-To-Date    3.0        (12.2)               239         226


Andy Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As
expected, March sales benefitted from the Easter calendar shift.
Better
weather, particularly in the final week of the month, and
favorable
customer response to our spring merchandise also helped drive
sales. We
continue to project that comparable store sales in April will be
down
mid single digits reflecting the negative impact of the Easter
shift.”


Store Activity


The company opened 12 new stores during March, all of which were opened
under the Goody’s name. New Goody’s stores were opened in
McMinnville,
Union City and Sweetwater, TN; Jacksonville, IL; Henderson, KY;
Aurora
and Linton, IN; Rincon, GA; Oxford, AL; Fort Smith, AR; Junction
City,
KS; and South Boston, VA. The Company expects to open an
additional 6
new stores during April.

Stage Stores operates 770 stores under the five names of Bealls,
Goody’s,
Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage.