Off-price retailer Ross Stores’ sales in the fourth quarter ended February 2 rose 15% to $2.76bn (£1.81bn) and like-for-likes advanced 5%. Net earnings rocketed 23% to $236.6m (£155.7m).

For the full year, sales increased 13% to $9.72bn (£6.39bn) with like-for-likes climbing 6%, while net earnings soared 20% to $786.8m (£517.8m). Michael Balmuth, vice chairman and chief executive, said: “We are pleased with the record sales and earnings in the fourth quarter and 2012 financial year, especially considering they were on top of strong multi-year gains.”