Ross Stores Q1 sales jump 21%, EPS up 37%, beats expectations with strong growth and raised Q2 guidance.

Ross Stores reported a strong first quarter for 2026, with total sales increasing by 21% and earnings per share (EPS) rising 37%. The growth was broad-based, driven by successful customer acquisition across various demographics, including younger shoppers, overcoming previous concerns. Operating margins improved by 120 basis points to 13.4%, indicating better profitability and operational efficiency. Management also raised its guidance for the second quarter, expecting comparable sales growth of 6–7% and EPS between $1.85 and $1.93, signaling continued positive momentum.