X0202 4 2005-01-04 0000006885 STAGE STORES INC STGS 0001269496 THOMAS MARVIN JR 10201 S. MAIN STREET HOUSTON TX 77025 0 1 0 0 SVP, Peebles Operations Common Stock 2005-01-04 4 M 0 1875 30.13 A 1875 D Common Stock 2005-01-04 4 S 0 1875 40.11 D 0 D Stock Option (Right to Buy) 30.13 2005-01-04 4 M 0 1875 0 D 2003-11-04 2013-11-04 Common Stock 1875 13125 D This sale was made pursuant to a pre-established, written plan for trading securities pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 adopted by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On November 4, 2003, the reporting person was granted stock options for 15,000 shares with per share exercise price of $30.13. The right to exercise these options vests over four years from November 4, 2003, with 25% vesting at the end of each of the first four years following the date of grant, and will expire on the earlier of (i) sixty days after the termination of the reporting person's employment with the Company, or (ii) ten years from the date of grant. The stock options exercised and reported on this Form 4 are a portion of that grant. /s/ Marvin Thomas, Jr. 2005-01-06