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

September 4, 2008

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

(800) 579-2302

(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 8.01. Other Events.

On September 4, 2008, Stage Stores, Inc. issued a News Release reporting its August 2008 sales results.  A copy of the News Release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits.

99 News Release issued by Stage Stores, Inc. on September 4, 2008 reporting its August 2008 sales results.

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.
September 5, 2008	/s/ Edward J. Record
(Date)	Edward J. Record
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-99

Exhibit 99

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:

Bob Aronson

Vice President, Investor Relations

800-579-2302

(baronson@stagestores.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STAGE STORES REPORTS AUGUST SALES

HOUSTON, TX, September 4, 2008 - Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today reported that its total sales for the four week August period ended August 30, 2008 decreased 3.0% to $119.8 million from $123.5 million in the prior year four week period ended September 1, 2007.  Comparable store sales decreased 8.3% versus a decrease of 2.6% last year.

Key categories of business which achieved comparable store sales increases during August included cosmetics and dresses.  Other merchandise categories that performed better than the Company average included childrens, intimate apparel and petites.  With regard to comparable store sales by region of the country, on a relative basis, the Southwest was the Company’s best performing region while the Southeast was its weakest region.

Jim Scarborough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our August results reflect soft back-to-school sales, due to ongoing pressure on discretionary consumer spending, reduced clearance sales and the disruptive impact of Tropical Storm Edouard and Hurricane Gustav during the first and last weeks of the month.  On a positive note, we continue to manage our merchandise inventories and expenses conservatively, ending August with our inventory levels down approximately 9.0% on a comparable store basis.”

SALES SUMMARY

	Comparable Store Sales Trend				Total Sales
	% Increase (Decrease)				($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period	2008		2007		2008		2007
1st Quarter		(5.4)%		0.1%		$353.5		$358.2
2nd Quarter		(1.4)		0.5		372.7		359.2
August		(8.3)		(2.6)		119.8		123.5
Year-To-Date (7 Mos)		(4.1)		(0.1)		846.0		840.9

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Stage Stores Reports

August Sales

Page - - 2

Store Activity

During August, the Company opened 7 new stores and expanded its geographic presence to 38 states by entering the states of Minnesota and Nevada.  New Bealls stores were opened in Austin, TX and Mesquite, NV, while new Peebles stores were opened in Canandaigua, NY, Prairie du Chien, WI, Red Wing and Worthington, MN, and Spencer, IA.  The 7 August store openings brought the total number of stores opened through the first seven months of the 2008 fiscal year to 35.

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 726 stores located in 38 states.  The Company operates under the Bealls, Palais Royal and Stage names throughout the South Central, Southwestern and Northwestern states, and under the Peebles name throughout the Midwestern, Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic and New England states.  For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company’s web site at www.stagestores.com.

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