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 1, 2012

(Date of Report, Date of Earliest Event Reported)

Stage Stores, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in 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-2(b) 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 1, 2012, Stage Stores, Inc. issued a News Release reporting its September 2012 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 1, 2012, reporting its September 2012 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 2, 2012	/s/ Richard Stasyszen
(Date)	Richard Stasyszen
	Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller

 

EX-99

Exhibit 99

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Bob AronsonVice President, Investor Relations800-579-2302 (baronson@stagestores.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stage Stores Reports Comparable Store Sales Increase of 11.1% for September

HOUSTON, TX, October 1, 2012 - Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today reported that total sales for the five week September period ended September 29, 2012 increased 13.7% to $134 million from $118 million in the prior year five week September period ended October 1, 2011.  Comparable store sales for the September period increased 11.1%.  The Company noted that it was reporting its sales results earlier than normal due to its participation at the Telsey Advisory Group's Fall Consumer Conference on October 2, 2012.

Every merchandise category achieved a comparable store sales increase during September, with footwear, home & gifts, junior sportswear, misses sportswear, petites and plus sizes leading the way with gains that exceeded the Company average.  Geographically, the South Central, Southwest and Northeast regions all outperformed.

 

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales		Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)		($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2012	2011	2012	2011
1st Quarter	2.5	0.2	366	346
2ndQuarter	5.4	0.9	381	353
August	6.5	(1.7)	124	113
September	11.1	(0.7)	134	118
Quarter-To-Date	8.8	(1.2)	258	231
Year-To-Date (8 Mos)	5.2	0.1	1,005	930

--more--

Stage Stores Reports

September Sales

Page - 2

Michael Glazer, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "September was an outstanding month for our company, as gains across all of our families of business drove our double-digit comparable store sales increase.  September began with strong back-to-school sales and the positive momentum carried throughout the month, resulting in solid full price selling of our fall selections.  Our customers are clearly reacting favorably to our merchandising and marketing initiatives, with even more excitement planned for the upcoming holiday season."

Store Activity

The Company also reported today that it opened new Goody's stores in Morehead City, NC and Decatur, AL.  New Steele's stores were also opened in Nacogdoches and Ft. Stockton, TX, Greenwood, MS and Emporia, KS.

About Stage Stores

Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities.  Its stores, which operate under the Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles, Stage and Steele's names, offer moderately priced, nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family. The Company operates 842 stores in 40 states.  The Company also has an eCommerce website.  For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company's web site at www.stagestoresinc.com.

###