Stage Stores Comments on Form 10-K/A Filing

Stage Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:STGS) today reported that, in
response to a comment received from the Staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), on February 13, 2006, it filed a Form
10-K/A that clarified its previous disclosures on Controls and
Procedures as contained in its Form 10-K as filed on April 28, 2005.
The Company noted that no other information included in the April 28,
2005 Form 10-K was amended in the Form 10-K/A.
   Commenting on the Form 10-K/A, Mike McCreery, Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, stated, "In our Form 10-K filed on
April 28, 2005, we reported on the changes in our lease accounting
practices and our view of the effect that those changes had on our
internal controls and disclosure procedures. There has been no change
in any previous circumstances with regard to our internal controls and
disclosure procedures, nor have any new matters come to light. The
clarification in our report on internal controls and disclosure
procedures was done to satisfy the SEC's request that our disclosures
on Controls and Procedures be written in clear and unqualified
language, which is now reflected in our Form 10-K/A."
   Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name
apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to
small and mid-size towns and communities through 550 stores located in
31 states. The Company operates under the Bealls, Palais Royal and
Stage names throughout the South Central states, and under the Peebles
name throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, Midwestern and New
England states. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the
Company's web site at www.stagestores.com.