Stage Stores Reports April Sales; Announces First Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase of 2.5%

Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today reported that total sales for the four week April period ended April 28, 2012 increased 2.0% to $121 million from $119 million in the prior year four week period ended April 30, 2011. Comparable store sales decreased 1.0%. The Company stated that it achieved comparable store sales increases in its cosmetics, home & gifts, junior's, misses sportswear and petites categories during April. Geographically, the Mid Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South Central and Southwest regions all had comparable store sales gains during the month. For the first quarter, the Company reported that total sales increased 5.5% to $366 million from $347 million last year. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 2.5%.