Stein Mart October Comps Jump 12.3%

Stein Mart, Inc. announced total sales and comparable store sales for the fiscal period ended October 30, 2004, as follows (dollars in millions):

                                    Total Sales            Percent Change

    Fiscal Period:                                       Total   Comparable
                                  2004         2003      Sales   Store Sales

    October (4 weeks)           $110.1        $98.6      11.7%      12.3%
    Third quarter (13 weeks)    $330.4       $315.9       4.6%       6.6%
    Year to date (39 weeks)   $1,015.6       $950.0       6.9%       9.6%

Ladies' and men's sportswear and ladies' accessories were the best
performing categories of merchandise. Geographically, all regions of the
country had positive comparable sales, with the strongest increases in the
Southwest, the midsection of the country, and Central Florida.

Stein Mart operated 260 stores on October 30, 2004 as compared to 264
stores at the same time last year. One location (Stuart, FL) remains closed
due to hurricane damage and is expected to re-open in December.

Updated guidance

The Company now expects a net loss of approximately $(0.05) per diluted
share for the third quarter.