Sourcing Scale and Fast Inventory Turns Fortify Wide-Moat Ross' Cost Advantage

Ross Stores’ strategy is rooted in disciplined execution of a domestic off-price apparel and home fashion model that prioritizes value leadership, cost efficiency, and inventory management over assortment breadth or omnichannel reach. We believe the firm is well positioned to defend and modestly expand its standing within the US apparel retail realm despite heightened competition. Ross captures roughly 30% of the US off-price apparel market, supported by a store footprint of more than 2,100 locations concentrated in dense urban and suburban markets. This scale affords purchasing leverage with vendors and enables consistent access to branded closeouts and excess inventory that many smaller competitors cannot replicate.