Stage Stores, Inc. reported that its total sales for the four week February period ended Feb. 25, increased 7.1 percent to $101 million from $94 million in the prior year four week period ended Feb. 26, 2011. Comparable store sales increased 3.7 percent.

The company achieved comparable store sales increases in its children’s, cosmetics, footwear, home & gifts, junior’s, men’s, outerwear, petites and young men’s categories during February. Geographically, all of the company’s major regions had comparable store sales gains during the month.

The company opened three new Steele’s stores on Feb. 1t in Taylor, TX, Opelousas, LA and Selma, AL. An additional three new Steele’s stores were opened on March 1st in Mexia, TX, Hidalgo, TX and Donaldsonville, LA.

Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities. Its stores, which operate under the Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles, Stage and Steele’s names, offer moderately priced, nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family. The company operates 819 stores in 40 states and an e-commerce website.