EXHIBIT 99.1


                                CERTIFICATION OF
                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            OF 99(CENT) ONLY STORES

      This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
(the "Report") for the period ended June 30, 2002 of 99(cent) Only Stores (the
"Issuer").

      I, David Gold, the Chief Executive Officer of Issuer certify that to the
best of my knowledge:

      (i)   the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
            section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.
            78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

      (ii)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Issuer.


Dated:  August 14, 2002.

                                                   /S/ DAVID GOLD
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                   Name: David Gold



Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 14th day of August, 2002.

/S/ ARMIDA J. DOMINGUEZ
-------------------------------------
Name:  ARMIDA J. DOMINGUEZ
     --------------------------------
Commission No.:  1195294
Title: Notary Public

My commission expires: September 30, 2002