Stage Stores Provides Initial Details on Impact from Hurricane Rita

Stage Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:STGS) today provided its
initial assessment of the impact from Hurricane Rita.
   The Company reported that a total of 118 stores in the Gulf Coast
region were closed for a portion, or all of the period from Wednesday,
September 21st through Saturday, September 24th. Due to the mandatory
evacuations that were ordered as the storm moved across the Gulf of
Mexico, closings occurred in coastal markets as far south as Corpus
Christi, TX and as far east as southwestern Louisiana. All but 47
stores had reopened as of Sunday, September 25th, and an additional 22
stores reopened on Monday, September 26th. The Company anticipates
that most of the 25 stores that remain closed will reopen as power is
restored in these markets, and that only a small number of its stores
will require further assessment to determine their reopening status.
   Jim Scarborough, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, "As with Hurricane Katrina, our thoughts and prayers go out to
everyone impacted by Hurricane Rita. We will do all that we can to
assist those in need."
   Mr. Scarborough concluded, "We are currently in the process of
assessing the financial impact that Hurricane Rita and Hurricane
Katrina have had on our business and we will provide further updates
as information becomes available."
   With regard to stores closed as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the
Company stated that all but one of its stores had reopened, and it is
not expected to reopen in the near future.

   About Stage Stores

   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 543 stores located in
30 states. The Company operates under the Stage, Bealls and Palais
Royal names throughout the South Central states, and under the Peebles
name throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern and Midwestern states.
For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company's web site
at www.stagestoresinc.com.

   "Safe Harbor" Statement

   This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC and other factors
as may periodically be described in other Company filings with the
SEC.