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  <P align=right><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=2>Filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2008</FONT><BR><FONT size=2>Registration No. 333-_______</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Washington, D.C.
  20549</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>FORM S-8</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT>
  <BR><FONT size=2>UNDER</FONT> <BR></FONT><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT size=5><B></B></FONT></P>
  <DIV align=center>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="30%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="100%"><FONT size=2><B><FONT face=serif>Ross Stores, Inc.</FONT></B></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
        charter)<FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="40%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Delaware<FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%" ></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="40%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>94-1390387</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="40%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(State or other
        jurisdiction</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%" ></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="40%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>(I.R.S. employer identification
        no.)</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="40%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>of incorporation or
        organization)</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%" ></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="40%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>4440 Rosewood Drive</FONT>
  <BR></FONT><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Pleasanton, California
  94588</FONT></FONT></U> <FONT face=serif><BR></FONT><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Ross Stores, Inc. 2008 Equity
  Incentive Plan</FONT></FONT></U> <FONT face=serif><BR><FONT size=2>(Full title
  of the plan)</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Michael Balmuth</FONT>
  <BR></FONT><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>President and Chief Executive
  Officer</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Ross Stores, Inc.</FONT> <BR></FONT><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>4440 Rosewood Drive</FONT> <BR></FONT><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Pleasanton, CA 94588</FONT></FONT></U> <FONT face=serif><BR><FONT size=2>(Name and address of agent for
  service)</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Telephone number, including area
  code, of agent for service: (925) 965-4400.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>This registration statement shall
  hereafter become effective in accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="99%"  colSpan=6><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=6><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION
        FEE</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" width="99%" colSpan=6><FONT size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="18%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="20%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="23%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Proposed</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="21%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Proposed</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="17%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="18%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Title of</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="20%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="23%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>maximum</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="21%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>maximum</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="17%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="18%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Securities to
        be</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="20%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Amount to be</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="23%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>offering price per</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="21%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>aggregate</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="17%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Amount of</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="18%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>registered<SUP>1</SUP><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="20%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>registered<SUP>2</SUP><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="23%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>share<SUP>3</SUP><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="21%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>offering
        price<SUP>3</SUP><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="17%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>registration fee</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=6><FONT size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=6><FONT size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="9%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>2008 Equity Incentive
      Plan</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="9%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="23%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="21%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="17%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%" bgColor=#c0c0c0 colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Common
        Stock</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="20%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>8,250,000</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="23%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>$35.49</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="21%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>$292,792,500</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="17%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>$11,506.75</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%" bgColor=#c0c0c0 colSpan=2><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Par Value
        $0.01</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="23%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="21%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="17%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P>&nbsp;</P>
  <P>&nbsp;</P>
  <P>&nbsp;</P>
  <P>&nbsp;</P>
  <P>____________________<BR><BR><FONT face=serif><SUP><FONT size=2><SUP>1</SUP></FONT></SUP> <FONT size=2>The securities to be registered
  include options and rights to acquire the common stock of Ross Stores,
  Inc.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><SUP><FONT size=2><SUP>2</SUP></FONT></SUP> <FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this registration statement also covers any additional
  securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split,
  stock dividend or similar transaction.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><SUP><FONT size=2><SUP>3</SUP></FONT></SUP> <FONT size=2>Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and 457(c) of the Securities Act solely
  for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The price for the shares under
  each plan is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common
  Stock on May 19, 2008, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>PART II</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif></FONT><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 3<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Ross Stores, Inc. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by
  reference in this registration statement the following
  documents:</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(a)
  The Company&#146;s annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;),
  containing audited financial statements for the Company&#146;s fiscal year ended
  February 2, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
  1, 2008.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(b)
  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
  since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to
  in (a) above.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(c)
  The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the Company&#146;s
  Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any
  amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
  description.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>All
  documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
  amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities
  offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration
  statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 4<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Description of Securities</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Inapplicable.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 5<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Interests
  of Named Experts and Counsel</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Inapplicable.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 6<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Section 102(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law
  authorizes a corporation to provide in its Certificate of Incorporation that a
  director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to a corporation or
  its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of the
  directors&#146; &#147;duty of care.&#148; While this statute does not change the directors&#146;
  duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable
  remedies such as injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on a
  director&#146;s duty of loyalty or liability for acts or omissions not in good faith
  or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal
  payment of dividends or stock redemptions or repurchases, or for any transaction
  from</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>which the director derives an
  improper personal benefit. As permitted by the statute, the Company has adopted
  provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate to the fullest
  extent permissible under Delaware law the personal liability of its directors to
  the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged
  breach of their duty of care.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State
  of Delaware provides for the indemnification of officers, directors, employees
  and agents of a corporation. The Bylaws of the Company provide for
  indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full
  extent permitted by Delaware law, including those circumstances in which
  indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware law. The
  Company&#146;s Bylaws also empower it to enter into indemnification agreements with
  its directors and officers and to purchase insurance on behalf of any person
  whom it is required or permitted to indemnify. The Company has entered into
  agreements with its directors and certain of its executive officers that require
  the Company to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted under
  Delaware law against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts
  actually and reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in
  connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such
  person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
  director or an executive officer of the Company or any of its affiliated
  enterprises. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures
  that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification
  thereunder.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Section 145 of the General
  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms
  sufficiently broad to indemnify such individuals, under certain circumstances,
  for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
  Securities Act.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 7<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Exemption
  From Registration Claimed</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Inapplicable.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 8<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Exhibits</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>See Exhibit Index.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Item 9<FONT face=serif>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></U> <U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Undertakings</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>The undersigned registrant hereby
  undertakes:</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales
  are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
  statement:</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(i) To include any prospectus required by Section
  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
  arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
  recent post-effective amendment thereof)</FONT></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>which, individually or in the
  aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
  registration statement;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(iii) To include any material information with
  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
  statement or any material change to such information in the registration
  statement;</FONT> <U><FONT face=serif>provided, however</FONT></U><FONT face=serif>, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
  statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be
  included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
  periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
  statement.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
  be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
  the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>(3) To remove from registration by means of a
  post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for
  purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of
  the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s
  annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
  incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
  new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
  fide offering thereof.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
  the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
  persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
  the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
  Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
  claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
  the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
  suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
  in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
  in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
  issue.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif></FONT><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>SIGNATURE</FONT></FONT></U><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
  statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in the City of Pleasanton, State of California, on May 22,
  2008.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <DIV align=right>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>ROSS
        STORES, INC.</FONT>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="3%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="49%" ><FONT size=2>/s/J.
        Call&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="3%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="97%"  colSpan=2><FONT size=2>John G. Call&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="3%"></TD>
      <TD align=left width="97%"  colSpan=2><FONT size=2>Senior Vice President, Chief
        Financial</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD align=left width="3%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="97%"  colSpan=2><FONT size=2>Officer, Principal Accounting Officer
        and&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD align=left width="3%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="97%"  colSpan=2><FONT size=2>Corporate Secretary&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>POWER OF
  ATTORNEY</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>The
  officers and directors of Ross Stores, Inc., whose signatures appear below,
  hereby constitute and appoint Michael Balmuth and John G. Call, and each of
  them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of
  substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the
  undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration statement on Form
  S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of
  said attorney and agent, or their or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be
  done by virtue hereof.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
  on May 22, 2008.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2><U>Signature</U></FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2><U>Title</U></FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="25%" ><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>Michael Balmuth</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Vice Chairman, President and Chief
        Executive&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Michael Balmuth&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Officer, Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" >&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>(Principal Executive
        Officer)&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/J.
        Call&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial
        Officer,&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>John G. Call&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Principal Accounting Officer and
        Corporate&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Secretary&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>(Principal Financial and Accounting
        Officer)&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>Norman A. Ferber</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Chairman of the Board,
        Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Norman A. Ferber&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>K. Gunnar Bjorklund</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>K. Gunnar Bjorklund&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>Michael J. Bush</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Michael J. Bush&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>Sharon D. Garrett</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Sharon D. Garrett&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Chairman Emeritus and
        Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Stuart Moldaw&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>G. Orban</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>George P. Orban&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/&nbsp;<EM>Donald H. Seiler</EM>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="26%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="25%" ><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Donald H. Seiler&nbsp;</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="51%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>2</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>EXHIBIT
  INDEX</FONT></FONT></B></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>4.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Amendment of Certificate of
        Incorporation dated May 21, 2004, Amendment of Certificate of
        Incorporation dated June 5, 2002 and Corrected First Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q
        filed by the Company for its quarter ended July 31,
    2004.</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>4.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Amended Bylaws, dated
        August 25, 1994 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-Q
        filed by the Company for its quarter ended July 30,
    1994.</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>5</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Legal Opinion of DLA Piper
        US LLP</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>23.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap >&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Consent of Counsel
        (included in Exhibit 5)</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>23.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Consent of Independent
        Registered Public Accounting Firm</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>24</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Power of Attorney (included
        in signature pages to this registration statement)</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  
  
  
  </BODY>
  
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "rossstores_s8.htm", "description": "INITIAL STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 38046}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ROSS STORES INC", "cik": "0000745732", "assigned-sic": "5651", "irs-number": "941390387", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0131"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-151116", "film-number": "08856273"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4440 ROSEWOOD DRIVE", "city": "PLEASANTON", "state": "CA", "zip": "94588-3050", "phone": "9259654400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4440 ROSEWOOD DRIVE", "city": "PLEASANTON", "state": "CA", "zip": "94588-3050"}}
text: Filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2008
  Registration No. 333-_______
  UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C.
  20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Ross Stores, Inc.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its
        charter)
  Delaware
  94-1390387
  (State or other
        jurisdiction
  (I.R.S. employer identification
        no.)
  of incorporation or
        organization)
  4440 Rosewood Drive
  Pleasanton, California
  94588
  (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
  Ross Stores, Inc. 2008 Equity
  Incentive Plan
  (Full title
  of the plan)
  Michael Balmuth
  President and Chief Executive
  Officer
  Ross Stores, Inc.
  4440 Rosewood Drive
  Pleasanton, CA 94588
  (Name and address of agent for
  service)
  Telephone number, including area
  code, of agent for service: (925) 965-4400.
  This registration statement shall
  hereafter become effective in accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION
        FEE
  Proposed
  Proposed
  Title of
  maximum
  maximum
  Securities to
        be
  Amount to be
  offering price per
  aggregate
  Amount of
  registered
  1
  registered
  2
  share
  3
  offering
        price
  3
  registration fee
  2008 Equity Incentive
      Plan
  Common
        Stock
  8,250,000
  $35.49
  $292,792,500
  $11,506.75
  Par Value
        $0.01
  ____________________
  1
  The securities to be registered
  include options and rights to acquire the common stock of Ross Stores,
  Inc.
  2
  Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  "Securities Act"), this registration statement also covers any additional
  securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split,
  stock dividend or similar transaction.
  3
  Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and 457(c) of the Securities Act solely
  for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The price for the shares under
  each plan is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common
  Stock on May 19, 2008, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3
  .
  Incorporation of Documents by Reference
  Ross Stores, Inc. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by
  reference in this registration statement the following
  documents:
  (a)
  The Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
  containing audited financial statements for the Company's fiscal year ended
  February 2, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
  1, 2008.
  (b)
  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
  since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to
  in (a) above.
  (c)
  The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's
  Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any
  amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
  description.
  All
  documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
  amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities
  offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration
  statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents.
  Item 4
  .
  Description of Securities
  Inapplicable.
  Item 5
  .
  Interests
  of Named Experts and Counsel
  Inapplicable.
  Item 6
  .
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers
  Section 102(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law
  authorizes a corporation to provide in its Certificate of Incorporation that a
  director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to a corporation or
  its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of the
  directors' "duty of care." While this statute does not change the directors'
  duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable
  remedies such as injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on a
  director's duty of loyalty or liability for acts or omissions not in good faith
  or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal
  payment of dividends or stock redemptions or repurchases, or for any transaction
  from
  which the director derives an
  improper personal benefit. As permitted by the statute, the Company has adopted
  provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate to the fullest
  extent permissible under Delaware law the personal liability of its directors to
  the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged
  breach of their duty of care.
  Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State
  of Delaware provides for the indemnification of officers, directors, employees
  and agents of a corporation. The Bylaws of the Company provide for
  indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full
  extent permitted by Delaware law, including those circumstances in which
  indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware law. The
  Company's Bylaws also empower it to enter into indemnification agreements with
  its directors and officers and to purchase insurance on behalf of any person
  whom it is required or permitted to indemnify. The Company has entered into
  agreements with its directors and certain of its executive officers that require
  the Company to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted under
  Delaware law against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts
  actually and reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in
  connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such
  person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
  director or an executive officer of the Company or any of its affiliated
  enterprises. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures
  that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification
  thereunder.
  Section 145 of the General
  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms
  sufficiently broad to indemnify such individuals, under certain circumstances,
  for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
  Securities Act.
  Item 7
  .
  Exemption
  From Registration Claimed
  Inapplicable.
  Item 8
  .
  Exhibits
  See Exhibit Index.
  Item 9
  .
  Undertakings
  The undersigned registrant hereby
  undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales
  are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
  statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
  arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
  recent post-effective amendment thereof)
  which, individually or in the
  aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
  registration statement;
  (iii) To include any material information with
  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
  statement or any material change to such information in the registration
  statement;
  provided, however
  , that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
  statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be
  included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
  periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
  statement.
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
  be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
  the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a
  post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering.
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for
  purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of
  the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
  annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
  incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
  new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
  fide offering thereof.
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
  the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
  persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
  the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
  Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
  claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
  the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
  suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
  in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
  in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
  issue.
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
  statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in the City of Pleasanton, State of California, on May 22,
  2008.
  ROSS
        STORES, INC.
  By:
  /s/J.
        Call
  John G. Call
  Senior Vice President, Chief
        Financial
  Officer, Principal Accounting Officer
        and
  Corporate Secretary
  POWER OF
  ATTORNEY
  The
  officers and directors of Ross Stores, Inc., whose signatures appear below,
  hereby constitute and appoint Michael Balmuth and John G. Call, and each of
  them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of
  substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the
  undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration statement on Form
  S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of
  said attorney and agent, or their or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be
  done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
  on May 22, 2008.
  Signature
  Title
  /s/
  Michael Balmuth
  Vice Chairman, President and Chief
        Executive
  Michael Balmuth
  Officer, Director
  (Principal Executive
        Officer)
  /s/J.
        Call
  Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial
        Officer,
  John G. Call
  Principal Accounting Officer and
        Corporate
  Secretary
  (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Officer)
  /s/
  Norman A. Ferber
  Chairman of the Board,
        Director
  Norman A. Ferber
  /s/
  K. Gunnar Bjorklund
  Director
  K. Gunnar Bjorklund
  /s/
  Michael J. Bush
  Director
  Michael J. Bush
  /s/
  Sharon D. Garrett
  Director
  Sharon D. Garrett
  Chairman Emeritus and
        Director
  Stuart Moldaw
  /s/
  G. Orban
  Director
  George P. Orban
  /s/
  Donald H. Seiler
  Director
  Donald H. Seiler
  2
  EXHIBIT
  INDEX
  4.1
  Amendment of Certificate of
        Incorporation dated May 21, 2004, Amendment of Certificate of
        Incorporation dated June 5, 2002 and Corrected First Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q
        filed by the Company for its quarter ended July 31,
    2004.
  4.2
  Amended Bylaws, dated
        August 25, 1994 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-Q
        filed by the Company for its quarter ended July 30,
    1994.
  5
  Legal Opinion of DLA Piper
        US LLP
  23.1
  Consent of Counsel
        (included in Exhibit 5)
  23.2
  Consent of Independent
        Registered Public Accounting Firm
  24
  Power of Attorney (included
        in signature pages to this registration statement)