Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the records of Ross Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") without audit and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position as of April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, and the results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three month periods then ended. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 28, 2012, presented herein, has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year then ended.

Accounting policies followed by the Company are described in Note A to the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted for purposes of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012.

The results of operations for the three month periods ended April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Stock Dividend

Stock dividend. On December 15, 2011 the Company issued a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the two-for-one stock split effective December 15, 2011.

Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents, And Investments

Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments. The Company has restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments to serve as collateral for certain of the Company's insurance obligations. These restricted funds are invested in bank deposits, money market mutual funds, U.S. Government and agency securities, and corporate securities and cannot be withdrawn from the Company's account without the prior written consent of the secured parties. As of April 28, 2012, the Company had total restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $80.1 million of which $22.4 million and $57.7 million were included in prepaid expenses and other and other long-term assets, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The classification between current and long-term is based on the timing of expected payments of the secured insurance obligations.

Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Estimated fair value of financial instruments. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments, restricted cash and cash equivalents, restricted investments, accounts receivable, other long-term assets, accounts payable, and other long-term liabilities approximates their estimated fair value. Cash and cash equivalents were $741.1 million, $649.8 million, and $671.0 million at April 28, 2012, January 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively, and include bank deposits and money market funds for which the fair value was determined using quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which are considered to be Level 1 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance.

Sales Mix

Sales Mix. The Company's sales mix is shown below for the three month periods ended April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011:

	Three Months Ended
	April 28, 2012		April 30, 2011
Ladies	31	%	31	%
Home accents and bed and bath	23	%	24	%
Shoes	14	%	14	%
Accessories, lingerie, fine jewelry, and fragrances	12	%	12	%
Men's	12	%	11	%
Children's	8	%	8	%
Total	100	%	100	%

Revenue Recognition

Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenue at the point of sale and maintains an allowance for estimated future returns. Sales of gift cards are deferred until they are redeemed for the purchase of Company merchandise. The Company's gift cards do not have expiration dates. Based upon historical redemption rates, a small percentage of gift cards will never be redeemed, which represents breakage. The Company recognizes income from gift card breakage as a reduction of operating expenses when redemption by a customer is considered to be remote. Income recognized from breakage was not significant for the three month periods ended April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011. Sales tax collected is not recognized as revenue and is included in accrued expenses and other.