Ross Stores Sales Rise 13 Percent In Second Quarter
The retailer saw increased traffic and a $253 million tariff refund boost earnings per share by $0.60.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Ross Stores reported $6.265 billion in sales for the fiscal second quarter ended August 1, 2026, marking a 13% increase from the prior year. The retailer also recorded a $253 million boost from tariff refunds, which significantly influenced the quarter's earnings per share.
Why it matters
The performance growth reflects a combination of increased shopper volume and higher spending per visit, providing a window into consumer demand at off-price retailers. These results highlight how specific policy-related windfalls can impact corporate profitability metrics that shareholders track.
Ross Stores saw customer traffic rise 7% and average basket size grow 3% during the 13-week period ending August 1, 2026. The company also benefited from $253 million in tariff refunds, which contributed $0.60 to the $2.66 earnings per share figure.
The players
Ross Stores
A national off-price retail chain that sells apparel and home accessories.
The details
Growth during the quarter was driven by more consumers entering stores combined with an increase in the average amount spent per transaction. Beyond core operations, earnings were bolstered by a one-time benefit of $253 million in tariff refunds associated with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This specific refund accounted for $0.60 of the reported $2.66 earnings per share, effectively inflating the quarterly profit metrics compared to operational baseline expectations.
Timeline
The 13-week fiscal second quarter concluded on August 1, 2026.
The company issued its outlook for the fiscal third and fourth quarters on August 20, 2026.
Money Landscape
Retailers continue to navigate a complex trade environment where regulatory policy shifts can create material impacts on bottom-line figures. This development highlights how legal and tariff-related adjustments can temporarily skew traditional performance benchmarks.
Shoppers can monitor how these trends affect the availability and pricing of off-price inventory as the company projects continued growth in comparable-store sales through the end of the year. If you have questions about how corporate earnings trends might influence your investment portfolio, consult a qualified financial professional.
The takeaway
The recent quarter demonstrates how retail health is currently being bolstered by increased foot traffic and modest gains in the size of the average consumer transaction. Keep an eye on future company earnings projections, which currently forecast comparable-store sales growth between 4% and 7% for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Further reading
For more information on national economic performance, visit Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TokenPost.
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