8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

December 2, 2004

(Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)

Stage Stores, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1-14035

(Commission File Number)

NEVADA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	91-1826900 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)	77025 (Zip Code)

(713) 667-5601

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

    o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

    o Soliciting material pursuant to rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

    o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

    o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On December 2, 2004, Stage Stores, Inc. (the "Company") issued a news release reporting its sales for November 2004. A copy of the news release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

This information shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference to such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

99.1 News release issued by Stage Stores, Inc. on December 2, 2004, reporting its sales for November 2004.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                                                                                             STAGE STORES, INC.

December 3, 2004                                                                                  /s/ Michael E. McCreery            

(Date)                                                                                                     Michael E. McCreery

                                                                                                               Executive Vice President and Chief

                                                                                                               Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Bob Aronson
Vice President, Investor Relations
800-579-2302
(baronson@stagestores.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STAGE STORES REPORTS NOVEMBER SALES

-- Comparable store sales increase 6.0% --

HOUSTON, TX, December 2, 2004 - Stage Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: STGS) today reported that total sales for the four-week period ended November 27, 2004 increased 8.0% to $103.8 million from $96.1 million in the prior year four-week period ended November 29, 2003. Comparable store sales increased 6.0% versus a decrease of 5.8% last year.

Jim Scarborough, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our 6.0% comparable store sales increase for November, which benefited from our merchandise selections and generally cooler temperatures throughout much of our market area versus last year. We experienced positive comparable store sales increases throughout the month, and most of our categories of business achieved comparable store sales gains. Our women's special sizes had an outstanding November with a 21.5% sales increase, followed by children's at 11.9% and footwear at 10.5%."

Mr. Scarborough concluded, "Our November sales performance gets us off to a good start on the upcoming holiday shopping period, and clearly demonstrates that our customers are coming to Bealls, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage stores to fulfill their holiday shopping and gift-giving needs."

--more--

Stage Stores Reports November Sales

Page - 2

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales Trend		Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)		($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2004	2003	2004	2003
1st Quarter	4.5%	(6.8)%*	$289.7	$198.0
2nd Quarter	(3.2)	(2.4)*	279.9	207.7
3rd Quarter	4.3	(6.0)*	285.3	197.9
November	6.0	(5.8)	103.8	96.1
Year-To-Date	2.2	(5.1) *	958.7	699.7

*Actual results are restated to include Peebles' comparable store sales

Store Activity

During November, the Company opened new Peebles stores in Angola, IN, Bridgeton, NJ, Exmore, VA, Mt. Pleasant, PA, Moundsville, WV and St. Albans, VT. The Company also opened new Stage stores in Chalmette, LA, Marksville, LA and Thatcher, AZ during the month. These nine November openings completed the Company's fiscal 2004 store-opening program, under which twenty-two new stores were opened and two new states were entered.

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 531 stores located in 29 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.

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