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

October 8, 2009

(Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)

Stage Stores, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1-14035

(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)

(800) 579-2302

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o   Soliciting material pursuant to rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.              Other Events.

On October 8, 2009, Stage Stores, Inc. issued a News Release reporting its September 2009 sales results.  A copy of the News Release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)              Exhibits.

99                 News Release issued by Stage Stores, Inc. on October 8, 2009 reporting its September 2009 sales results.     

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.
October 8, 2009	/s/ Edward J. Record
(Date)	Edward J. Record
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-99

Exhibit 99

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Bob Aronson

Vice President, Investor Relations

800-579-2302

(baronson@stagestores.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STAGE STORES REPORTS SEPTEMBER SALES

HOUSTON, TX, October 8, 2009 - Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today reported that its total sales for the five week September period ended October 3, 2009 decreased 2.4% to $113 million from $115 million in the prior year five week period ended October 4, 2008.  Comparable store sales decreased 5.6% this year versus a decrease of 13.6% last year.

Intimates and juniors achieved comparable store sales increases during September.  Accessories, cosmetics, footwear and misses sportswear performed better than the Company average.  The Midwest was the Company’s best performing region, while the Southeast was its weakest.

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales Trend		Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)		($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2009	2008	2009	2008
1st Quarter	(9.0)%	(5.4)%	$333	$353
2nd Quarter	(10.7)	(1.4)	342	373
August	(9.5)	(8.3)	111	120
September	(5.6)	(13.6)	113	115
Quarter-To-Date	(7.6)	(11.0)	224	235
Year-To-Date (8 Mos)	(9.3)	(5.3)	899	961

Commenting on the month’s results, Andy Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our September same store sales results benefited from the Labor Day calendar shift and an easier comparison to last year when sales were significantly impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.  Conversely, September’s sales were negatively affected by reduced levels of clearance merchandise.”

--more--

Stage Stores Reports

September Sales

Page – 2

Store Activity

The Company opened six stores in September.  New Goody’s stores were opened in Calhoun, GA, Campbellsville, KY, Princeton, IN, New Boston, OH and Warrensburg, MO.  A new Stage store was opened in Lebanon, MO.

About Stage Stores

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 through 757 stores located in 39 states.  The Company operates its stores under the five names of Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage.  For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company’s web site at www.stagestores.com.

###