Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) is the second-largest off-price retailer in the United States, in terms of total sales, behind competitor TJX Companies. ROST operates two chains: Ross Dress for Less (Ross) and dd's Discounts, both of which sell apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashion products. The company's chains are best known for having daily discounts of 20% - 70% off regular discount store prices; this is possible because ROST is a closeout retailer, meaning that it buys products directly from merchandise vendors and manufacuturers at very low prices due to shifts in supply and demand for products, manufacturer overruns, and canceled orders. Because these products are bought at such low prices, the company is able to sell them at steep discounts compared to normal discount store competitors.

The company targets price-conscious middle class consumers and consumers from the lower-income brackets who during recessions look to save money and focus more on value. Because ROST has made it one of its business priorities to provide customers with plenty of brand-named and designer merchandise, thrift-minded consumers can still buy their favorite clothes but at a much lower cost. A growing economy means that consumers are more willing to spend on discretionary goods and are willing to spend more money on higher quality items. ROST's bottom line will be negatively impacted if it cannot maintain its customer base.

(Read more at Wikinvest )