Stage Stores, Inc. Files Application to List on the New York Stock Exchange; New Symbol to Become ''SSI''

Stage Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:STGS) announced today that it
has applied for listing of its Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE"). The Company anticipates that its stock will
begin trading on the NYSE on March 16, 2006, under the symbol "SSI."
   Stage's Common Stock has traded on the NASDAQ National Market
under the symbol "STGS" since January 8, 2002. Its Series A and Series
B Warrants, which have also traded on the NASDAQ National Market since
January 8, 2002 under the symbols "STGSW" and "STGSZ," respectively,
will not move to the NYSE since they will expire on August 23, 2006.
   Jim Scarborough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated,
"Our move to the New York Stock Exchange highlights the growth and
progress that we have made since our emergence from bankruptcy almost
five years ago, in August of 2001. We view this move as a significant
event for our company, and one that is consistent with our goal of
enhancing shareholder value. Although we have enjoyed an excellent
relationship with NASDAQ, we believe that our listing on the New York
Stock Exchange will increase our Company's visibility, reduce trading
volatility, and offer more efficient pricing. We are pleased to be
joining the list of other distinguished companies on this premier
stock exchange."
   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 Midwestern, Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic and New
England states. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the
Company's web site at www.stagestores.com.

   "Safe Harbor" Statement

   This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including comments regarding the anticipated timing of the listing of
the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company
intends forward looking terminology such as "believes," "expects,"
"may," "will," "should," "could," "anticipates," "plans" or similar
expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated
by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") on April 28, 2005, in the Company's Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC and other factors as may
periodically be described in other Company filings with the SEC.