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

October 6, 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(b) Retirement of Named Executive Officer

On October 10, 2008, Dennis Abramczyk, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Peebles Division of Stage Stores, Inc. (the “Company”), retired after nine years with the Company.

(c) Appointment of President and Chief Operating Officer of the Peebles Division

On October 6, 2008, Richard Maloney joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company’s Peebles Division and succeeds Mr. Abramczyk. Mr. Maloney will report to Andrew Hall, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Maloney, age 59, has over 31 years of retail experience, 15 of which were in senior executive roles. Since 2003, he has served as a business consultant with Remark Consultants, which provides strategic support to private equity firms assessing retail acquisitions, strategy formation and critical planning. From 1972 to 2003, Mr. Maloney was employed by the May Department Stores Company.  He served as the President and CEO of Meier and Frank, Portland, Oregon from 1996 to 2003.

Item 8.01 Other Events

On October 6, 2008, the Company issued a News Release announcing that Richard Maloney has joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company’s Peebles Division and that Mr. Maloney succeeds Dennis Abramczyk who is retiring.  The News Release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

99 News Release Issued by Stage Stores, Inc. on October 6, 2008 announcing that Richard Maloney has joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company’s Peebles Division and will succeed Dennis Abramczyk.

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.
October 10, 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 NAMES RICHARD MALONEY PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF ITS PEEBLES DIVISION

HOUSTON, TX, October 6, 2008 - Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) today announced that Richard Maloney has joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer of its Peebles Division.  Maloney succeeds Dennis Abramczyk, who announced his intent to retire in January 2008.

Maloney, 59, has over 31 years of retail experience, 15 of which were in senior executive roles.  Prior to joining Stage Stores, Maloney spent five years as a business consultant, and seven years as President and CEO of the Meier and Frank division of The May Department Stores Company (now part of Macy’s).  Maloney also held various senior merchandising positions of increasing responsibility at a number of former Macy’s divisions.  Maloney will report to Andy Hall, President and Chief Operating Officer of Stage Stores, and will be responsible for all operations of the Peebles Division, including merchandising, marketing, planning and allocation, and store operations.

“We are extremely pleased and excited that Rich has joined Stage Stores,” stated Hall.  “I am confident that, based on Rich’s extensive retail experience and successful track record, he will further strengthen our Peebles management team.  Rich will play a key role in the continuing development and growth of the Peebles Division.

“We are grateful to Dennis for ensuring a smooth transition by remaining in his position until his replacement was appointed.  We want to thank Dennis for his many contributions over his nine years of service to our company, and we wish him well in his retirement,” Hall concluded.

--more--

Stage Stores Names Richard

Maloney President and COO

of its Peebles Division

Page – 2

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 729 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.

###