Document:

AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                ROSS STORES, INC.
                    1991 OUTSIDE DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN

                      (As amended through January 30, 2003)

      1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.

            1.1 Establishment. The Ross Stores, Inc. 1991 Outside Directors
Stock Option Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as the Amended
and Restated Ross Stores, Inc. 1991 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") effective as of March 16, 2000 (the "Effective Date").

            1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of
the Company and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain
and reward persons performing services as Outside Directors of the Company and
by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the
Company.

            1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until terminated
by the Board.

      2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

            2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall
have their respective meanings set forth below:

                  (a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If
one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
"Board" also means such Committee(s).

                  (b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (c) "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the
following:

                        (i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (1) a trustee or other fiduciary
holding stock of the Company under an employee benefit plan of the Company or
any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation, or (2) a corporation owned
directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company, becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of stock of the Company representing more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company's
then-outstanding voting stock; or

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                        (ii) an Ownership Change Event or a series of related
Ownership Change Events (collectively, a "Transaction") wherein the stockholders
of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately
after the Transaction direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock
of the Company or, in the event of a sale of assets, of the corporation or
corporations to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the
"Transferee Corporation(s)"); or

                        (iii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall
include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting
stock of one or more corporations which, as a result of the Transaction, own the
Company or the Transferee Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or
through one or more subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to
determine whether multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

                  (d) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee or other
committee of one or members of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan
and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of
the Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of
the powers of the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power
to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable limitations imposed by law.

                  (e) "Company" means Ross Stores, Inc. a Delaware corporation,
or any successor corporation thereto.

                  (f) "Director" means a member of the Board.

                  (g) "Disability" means the permanent and total disability of
the Optionee within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                  (h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

                  (i) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its discretion,
or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly
allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

                        (i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national
or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a
share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock (or the closing
bid price of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on
the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market or such other national or
regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market

<PAGE>

for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which
the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market system, the date on
which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which
the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate
day as shall be determined by the Board, in its discretion.

                        (ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a
national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value
of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board in good faith without
regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will
never lapse.

                  (j) "Non-Employee Director" means a Director who (i) is not a
current employee or officer of the Company or any Parent Corporation or
Subsidiary Corporation; (ii) does not receive compensation, either directly or
indirectly, from the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation
for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a
Director, except for an amount that does not exceed the dollar amount for which
disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act ("Regulation S-K"); (iii) does not possess an interest in any
other transaction for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(a)
of Regulation S-K; and (iv) is not engaged in a business relationship for which
disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K.

                  (k) "Option" means a right to purchase Stock (subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 4.2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Plan. Each Option shall be a nonstatutory stock option; that is, an option
not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of
Section 422(b) of the Code.

                  (l) "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of
the Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof.

                  (m) "Optionee" means a person who has been granted one or more
Options.

                  (n) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an employee
of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

                  (o) "Ownership Change Event" means the occurrence of any of
the following with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or
exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of
the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;
(ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; or (iii) the
sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company.

                  (p) "Parent Corporation" means any present or future "parent
corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

<PAGE>

                  (q) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

                  (r) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

                  (s) "Service" means an Optionee's service with the Company as
a Director. An Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated if the
Optionee ceases to be a Director, even if the Optionee continues to render
service to the Company in a capacity other than as a Director or commences
rendering service to a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation. An
Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Optionee takes
any bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company. Unless otherwise
provided by the Board in the grant of an Option and set forth in the Option
Agreement evidencing such Option, an approved leave of absence shall be treated
as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Option. Subject to the
foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the
Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.

                  (t) "Stock" means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted
from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.

                  (u) "Subsidiary Corporation" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.

            2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use
of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise.

      3. ADMINISTRATION.

            3.1 Administration by the Board. The Plan shall be administered by
the Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be
determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon
all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option. At any time that any
class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of
the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the
requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3. For this purpose, the Board may delegate
authority to administer the Plan to a Committee composed solely of two or more
Non-Employee Directors.

            3.2 Authority of Officers. Any officer of the Company shall have the
authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right,
obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is
allocated to the Company herein, provided the officer has apparent authority
with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.

<PAGE>

            3.3 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of
indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or
employees of the Company, members of the Board and any officers or employees of
the Company to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated
shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including
attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal
therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action
taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right
granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof
(provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by
the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action,
suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross
negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however,
that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or
proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity
at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

      4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.

            4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that
may be issued under the Plan shall be seven hundred thousand (700,000)(1) and
shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any
combination thereof. If an outstanding Option for any reason expires or is
terminated or canceled or if shares of Stock are acquired upon the exercise of
an Option subject to a Company repurchase option and are repurchased by the
Company, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option
or such repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under
the Plan.

            4.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. In the event of
any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger,
combination, exchange of shares, reclassification or similar change in the
capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the
number and class of shares subject to the Plan, to the Options to be granted
automatically pursuant to Section 6.1 and to any outstanding Options, and in the
exercise price per share of any outstanding Options. If a majority of the shares
which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding
Options are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not
pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the "New
Shares"), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Options to provide
that such Options are exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such
amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of,
the outstanding Options shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as
determined by the Board, in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall
be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise
price of any Option be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any,
of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board
pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

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(1)   As adjusted through the two-for-one stock split effective on September 22,
      1999.

<PAGE>

      5. ELIGIBILITY.

            Options shall be granted only to those persons who, at the time of
grant, are serving as Outside Directors.

      6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

            Options shall be evidenced by Option Agreements specifying the
number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from
time to time establish. Option Agreements may incorporate all or any of the
terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the
following terms and conditions:

            6.1 Automatic Grant. Subject to the execution by an Outside Director
of an appropriate Option Agreement, Options shall be granted automatically and
without further action of the Board, as follows:

                  (a) Initial Option. Each person who first becomes an Outside
Director on or after the Effective Date shall be granted on the date such person
first becomes an Outside Director an Option to purchase twenty thousand
(20,000)2 shares of Stock (an "Initial Option"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Option shall be granted pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) on or after January
30, 2003.

                  (b) Annual Option. Each Outside Director shall be granted on
the date of each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company which occurs
on or after the Effective Date (an "Annual Meeting") immediately following which
such person remains an Outside Director an Option to purchase four thousand
(4,000)(2) shares of Stock (an "Annual Option"); provided, however, that an
Outside Director granted an Initial Option after the December 1 immediately
preceding the date of an Annual Meeting shall not be granted an Annual Option
pursuant to this Section with respect to the same Annual Meeting.

                  (c) Right to Decline Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any person may elect not to receive an Option by delivering written notice of
such election to the Board no later than the day prior to the date such Option
would otherwise be granted. A person so declining an Option shall receive no
payment or other consideration in lieu of such declined Option. A person who has
declined an Option may revoke such election by delivering written notice of such
revocation to the Board no later than the day prior to the date such Option
would be granted pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b), as the case may be.

            6.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock subject to
an Option shall be the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of
grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be granted
with an exercise price lower than the

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(2)   As adjusted for the two-for-one stock split effective on September 22,
      1999.

<PAGE>

minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an
assumption or substitution for another option in a manner qualifying under the
provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

            6.3 Exercisability and Term of Options. Except as otherwise provided
in the Plan or in the Option Agreement evidencing an Option and provided that
the Optionee's Service has not terminated prior to the relevant date, each
Option shall vest and become exercisable as to one-sixth (1/6) of the shares
initially subject thereto on the date occurring six (6) months after the date of
grant and as to one thirty-sixth (1/36) of the shares initially subject thereto
following each full month of the Optionee's continuous Service thereafter until
the Option is fully vested. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with the
terms of the Plan or the Option Agreement evidencing an Option, each Option
shall terminate and cease to be exercisable on the tenth (10th) anniversary of
the date of grant of the Option.

            6.4 Payment of Exercise Price.

                  (a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash or by check,
(ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of
Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the
Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such
stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with an
underwriter for the Company) not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery
of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker
providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan
with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of
the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with
the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a "Cashless Exercise"), or (iv) by any
combination thereof.

                  (b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

                        (i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would
constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Company's stock. Unless otherwise provided by
the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or
attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have
been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months or were not acquired,
directly or indirectly, from the Company.

                        (ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and
all times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to
establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the
exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.

<PAGE>

            6.5 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an
Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a number of whole shares
of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all
or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by
law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such Option or the shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof. Alternatively or in addition, in its
discretion, the Company shall have the right to require the Optionee, by cash
payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise, to make
adequate provision for any such tax withholding obligations of the Company
arising in connection with the Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to
satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount
determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates. The Company
shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the Company's tax
withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Optionee.

            6.6 Effect of Termination of Service.

                  (a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of
the Option as otherwise provided herein, an Option shall be exercisable after an
Optionee's termination of Service only during the applicable time period
determined in accordance with this Section 6.6 and thereafter shall terminate:

                        (i) Disability. If the Optionee's Service terminates
because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised
and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative)
at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date
of expiration of the Option's term as set forth in the Option Agreement
evidencing such Option (the "Option Expiration Date").

                        (ii) Death. If the Optionee's Service terminates because
of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or other person who acquired
the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death at any time
prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option
Expiration Date. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on
account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months after the
Optionee's termination of Service.

                        (iii) Other Termination of Service. If the Optionee's
Service terminates for any reason, except Disability or death, the Option, to
the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time
prior to the expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Optionee's
Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

<PAGE>

                  (b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods
set forth in Section 6.6(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 9 below,
the Option shall remain exercisable until three (3) months after the date the
Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any
event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

                  (c) Extension if Optionee Subject to Section 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 6.6(a) of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would
subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option
shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day
following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no
longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day
after the Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration
Date.

            6.7 Transferability of Options.

                  (a) Except as provided in Section 6.7(b), an Option may be
exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the
Optionee's guardian or legal representative and may not be assigned or
transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Following the death of an Optionee, the Option, to the extent
provided in Section 6.6, may be exercised by the Optionee's legal representative
or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee's will or under
the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

                  (b) With the consent of the Board and subject to any
conditions or restrictions as the Board may impose, in its discretion, an
Optionee may transfer during the Optionee's lifetime and prior to the Optionee's
termination of Service all or any portion of the Option to one or more of such
persons (each a "Permitted Transferee") as permitted in accordance with the
applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to the
Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act. No transfer or
purported transfer of the Option shall be effective unless and until: (i) the
Optionee has delivered to the Company a written request describing the terms and
conditions of the proposed transfer in such form as the Company may require,
(ii) the Optionee has made adequate provision, in the sole determination of the
Company, for satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations of the Company as
provided in Section 6.5 that may arise with respect to the transferred portion
of the Option, (iii) the Board has approved the requested transfer, and (iv) the
Optionee has delivered to the Company written documentation of the transfer in
such form as the Company may require. With respect to the transferred portion of
the Option, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement
shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and not to the original Optionee, except
for (i) the Optionee's rendering of Service, (ii) provision for the Company's
tax withholding obligations, if any, and (iii) any subsequent transfer of the
Option by the Permitted Transferee, which shall be prohibited except as provided
in Section 6.7(a), unless otherwise permitted by the Board, in its sole
discretion. The Company shall have no obligation to notify a Permitted
Transferee of any expiration, termination, lapse or acceleration of the
transferred Option, including, without limitation, an early termination of the
transferred Option resulting from the termination of Service of the original
Optionee. Exercise of the transferred Option by a

<PAGE>

Permitted Transferee shall be subject to compliance with all applicable federal,
state and foreign securities laws; however, the Company shall have no obligation
to register with any federal, state or foreign securities commission or agency
such transferred Option or any shares that may be issuable upon the exercise of
the transferred Option by the Permitted Transferee.

      7. STANDARD FORMS OF OPTION AGREEMENT.

            7.1 Option Agreement. Each Option shall comply with and be subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the form of Option Agreement approved
by the Board concurrently with its adoption of the Plan and as amended from time
to time.

            7.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Board shall have the authority from
time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Option Agreement
described in this Section 7 either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Option or in connection with the authorization of a new standard
form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new,
revised or amended standard form or forms of Option Agreement are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Such authority shall include, but not
by way of limitation, the authority to grant Options which are immediately
exercisable subject to the Company's right to repurchase any unvested shares of
Stock acquired by the Optionee on exercise of an Option in the event such
Optionee's Service is terminated for any reason.

      8. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.

            In the event of a Change in Control, any unexercisable or unvested
portions of outstanding Options and any shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof shall be immediately exercisable and vested in full as of the date ten
(10) days prior to the date of the Change in Control. The exercise or vesting of
any Option and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof that was
permissible solely by reason of this Section 8 shall be conditioned upon the
consummation of the Change in Control. In addition, the surviving, continuing,
successor, or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof, as the case
may be (the "Acquiring Corporation"), may either assume the Company's rights and
obligations under outstanding Options or substitute for outstanding Options
substantially equivalent options for the Acquiring Corporation's stock. Any
Options which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring
Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the
date of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding
effective as of the date of the Change in Control.

      9. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.

            The grant of Options and the issuance of shares of Stock upon
exercise of Options shall be subject to compliance with all applicable
requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities.
Options may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise
would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock
exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. The inability
of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the
authority, if any, deemed by the Company's legal counsel

<PAGE>

to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
As a condition to the exercise of any Option, the Company may require the
Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to
evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any
representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the
Company.

      10. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN.

            The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However,
without the approval of the Company's stockholders, there shall be (a) no
increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued
under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Section 4.2), (b) no
material change in the class of persons eligible to receive Options, and (c) no
material change in the amount, timing or exercise price formula of automatic
grants of Options pursuant to Section 6.1 above. No termination or amendment of
the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Option unless expressly provided by
the Board. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may adversely
affect any then outstanding Option without the consent of the Optionee.

      11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

            11.1 Provision of Information. Each Optionee shall be given access
to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally
made available to the Company's common stockholders.

            11.2 Beneficiary Designation. Each Optionee may file with the
Company a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any benefit
under the Plan to which the Optionee is entitled in the event of such Optionee's
death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation
will revoke all prior designations by the same Optionee, shall be in a form
prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Optionee
in writing with the Company during the Optionee's lifetime. If a married
Optionee designates a beneficiary other than the Optionee's spouse, the
effectiveness of such designation shall be subject to the consent of the
Optionee's spouse.

            11.3 Rights as a Stockholder. An Optionee shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Option until the date of
the issuance of a certificate for such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate
entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other
rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is
issued, except as provided in Section 4.2 or another provision of the Plan.

            11.4 Continuation of Prior Version of the Plan as to Outstanding
Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, each
Option outstanding prior to the Effective Date shall continue to be governed by
the terms of the version of the Plan as in effect on the date of grant of such
Option. For purposes of the preceding sentence, such prior

<PAGE>

version of the Plan means the Ross Stores, Inc. 1991 Outside Directors Stock
Option Plan adopted on March 18, 1991 and amended from time to time.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies
that the foregoing sets forth the Amended and Restated Ross Stores, Inc. Outside
Directors Stock Option Plan as duly adopted by the Board on March 16, 2000.

                                        /s/ John G. Call
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        SecretaryTHIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
                  INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT

      This Third Amendment to the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement
(the "Consultancy Agreement") is made and entered into by and between Ross
Stores, Inc. (the "Company") and Norman A. Ferber (the "Contractor"). The
Company and the Contractor previously entered into an Independent Contractor
Consultancy Agreement that became effective February 1, 2000 and continued in
effect until January 31, 2001. The original Consultancy Agreement was extended
from February 1, 2001 until January 31, 2002 in the Amendment to the Independent
Contractor Consultancy Agreement. The original Consultancy Agreement was further
extended from February 1, 2002 until January 31, 2003 in the Second Amendment to
the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement. It is now the intention of the
Company and the Contractor to further amend these agreements as set forth below.
Accordingly, the Company and the Contractor now amend the agreements as follows:

      A.    Amendments.

            Paragraph 8.1, will be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

            8.1 Term. This Third Amendment is effective as of February 1, 2003
            ("Effective Date") and will continue until January 31, 2004
            ("Consultancy Termination Date"). This Agreement is renewable upon
            the mutual consent of both parties. The terms of such renewal must
            be in writing and signed by both Company and Contractor.

            Paragraph 9.5, will be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

            9.5 Entire Agreement. This Third Amendment to the Independent
            Contractor Consultancy Agreement, the Second Amendment to the
            Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement effective February 1,
            2002, the Amendment to the Independent Contractor Consultancy
            Agreement effective February 1, 2001, and the Independent Contractor
            Consultancy Agreement effective February 1, 2000 constitute the
            entire agreement between the parties relating to this subject matter
            and all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements
            concerning such subject matter, including relevant terms from the
            parties prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement and
            subsequent amendments. The terms of the Third Amendment to the
            Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement and the surviving terms
            of the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement, the Second
            Amendment to the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement and
            Amendment to the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement will
            govern all services undertaken by Contractor for Company beginning
            February 1, 2003 and continuing until January 31, 2004, unless
            otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.

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<PAGE>

      B.    No Other Modifications.

            Except as modified by this Agreement, the Independent Contractor
            Consultancy Agreement that became effective February 1, 2000, the
            Amendment to the Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement that
            became effective February 1, 2001, and the Second Amendment to the
            Independent Contractor Consultancy Agreement that became effective
            February 1, 2002 shall remain in force and effect during the term of
            this Amendment.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment,
                  effective February 1, 2003.

Company:                                Contractor:

Ross Stores, Inc.                       Norman A. Ferber

By: /s/ Michael Balmuth                 By: /s/ Norman A. Ferber
    -------------------------------         ------------------------------------
    Name:  Michael Balmuth                  Name:  Norman A. Ferber
    Title: Vice Chairman & CEO              Title: Chairman of the Board

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