8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

March 7, 2002

(Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)

Stage Stores, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

000-21011

(Commission File Number)

NEVADA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	91-1826900 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)	77025 (Zip Code)

(713) 667-5601

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

ITEM 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 7, 2002, the Company issued a news release announcing sales for February 2002.  A copy of the news release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

1. Financial statements of business acquired.

Not applicable.

2. Pro forma financial information.

Not applicable.

3. Exhibits.

99.1    News Release dated March 7, 2002 issued by the Company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                                                 STAGE STORES, INC.

March 7, 2002                                          /s/ Michael E. McCreery          

(Date)                                                       Michael E. McCreery

                                                                 Executive Vice President and Chief

                                                                 Financial Officer

EX-99.1

NEWS RELEASE                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

CONTACT:

Bob Aronson
Director of Investor Relations
800-579-2302
(baronson@stagestores.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STAGE STORES REPORTS FEBRUARY SALES

HOUSTON, TX, March 7, 2002 - Stage Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: STGS) today reported that comparable store sales for the four week February period ended March 2, 2002 increased 6.2% as compared to the prior year four week February period ended March 3, 2001. Total sales for the fiscal month of February this year were $62.5 million versus total sales of $59.6 million for the fiscal month last year, an increase of 4.9%. The Company operated 342 stores during February 2002 while it operated 348 stores during February 2001.

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales Trend			Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)			($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2002	2001(a)	2001(b)	2002	2001
		(Calendar	(Fiscal	(Fiscal	(Fiscal
		Adj. Basis)	Basis)	Basis)	Basis)
February	6.2%	20.9%	25.1%	$62.5	$59.6

(a)    The 2001 Calendar Adjusted Basis column compares the four week period starting on February 4, 2001 to the 

         four week period starting on February 6, 2000.         

(b)     The 2001 Fiscal Basis column compares the four week period starting on February 4, 2001 to the four week 

          period starting on January 30, 2000.

During the month, the Company opened a new store in Baytown, Texas, relocated its store in Temple, Texas and closed one of its six stores in Corpus Christi, Texas.

-more--

Stage Stores Reports
February Sales
Page - 2

Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to small towns and communities throughout the south central United States. The Company currently operates a total of 342 stores in 13 states under the Stage, Bealls and Palais Royal names.

On the effective date of the Company's Plan of Reorganization, August 24, 2001, Stage Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation, merged into its wholly-owned subsidiary, Specialty Retailers, Inc. (NV), a Nevada corporation (the "Merger Date"). On the Merger Date, Specialty Retailers, Inc. (NV), the surviving corporation, changed its name to Stage Stores, Inc. For all periods referenced, Stage Stores, Inc. and its predecessor in interest are both referred to above as "Stage Stores" or the "Company".

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