8-K

UNITED STATES

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

July 10, 2003

(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 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 issued by Stage Stores, Inc. on July 10, 2003 reporting June 2003 sales.

ITEM 9. Regulation FD Disclosure (and Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition).

The information contained in this Current Report, including the Exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished pursuant to Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure and Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition of Form 8-K.

On July 10, 2003, Stage Stores Inc. issued a news release announcing its sales for June 2003.  A copy of the news release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

This information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

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.

July 10, 2003                                                                           /s/ Michael E. McCreery                    

(Date)                                                                                      Michael E. McCreery

                                                                                                Executive Vice President and Chief

                                                                                                Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STAGE STORES REPORTS JUNE SALES

HOUSTON, TX, July 10, 2003 - Stage Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: STGS) today reported that comparable store sales for the five-week period ended July 5, 2003 decreased 3.1% as compared to the prior year five-week period ended July 6, 2002, during which comparable store sales increased 8.9%. Total sales increased 0.8% to $72.2 million from $71.6 million in the prior year period.

The Company reported that its dresses, home & gifts and shoe departments had comparable store sales increases during the month, and its intimate apparel, men's and misses sportswear departments performed better than the Company average.

Jim Scarborough, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Although still negative, our comparable store sales results for June represented a significant improvement in the year-over-year trend as compared to last month's performance. While we see this trend as encouraging, the mix of business during June remained the same as last month, with a higher percentage of sales comprised of sale and clearance merchandise compared to the prior year. This demonstrates that we are still operating in a weak economic environment which continues to put pressure on merchandise margins."

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales Trend		Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)		($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2003	2002	2003	2002
1st Quarter	(7.5)%	7.0%	$198.0	$206.7
May	(6.6)	8.8	65.0	66.9
June	(3.1)	8.9	72.2	71.6
2nd Qtr-To-Date	(4.8)	8.9	137.2	138.5
Year-To-Date	(6.4)	7.7	335.2	345.2

--more--

Stage Stores Reports June Sales
Page -2

In addition to reporting sales, the Company announced that it will open four new stores on July 24^th. The new stores will be located in Burkburnett, Texas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Nogales, Arizona and Rolla, Missouri.

Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to small and mid-size towns and communities throughout the south central United States. The Company currently operates a total of 362 stores in 13 states under the Stage, Bealls and Palais Royal names. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company's web site at www.stagestoresinc.com.

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