When it comes to discount retail stores, Ross and dd’s Discounts (DDS) are two popular options. Both offer name-brand merchandise at reduced prices compared to traditional department stores. But which one offers better deals overall? There are a few key factors to consider when determining whether Ross or DDS is cheaper.
Pricing and Discounts
Ross and DDS have similar pricing strategies, offering 20% to 60% off department store prices on brand name apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods and more. Both advertise markdowns on their websites and in stores without publishing specific price lists. This allows the retailers flexibility with discounting.
That said, Ross tends to offer slightly steeper markdowns, especially on higher priced goods like furniture, mattresses and major appliances. Both feature weekly markdowns to keep merchandise moving, but Ross appears quicker to slash prices on slower selling inventory.
DDS pricing depends more on the original manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), resulting in discounts averaging around 30% to 40%. Ross’ original price tags reflect whatever the buyer was able to negotiate, so there is more variability in the possible savings.
For example, a national brand sofa with a $1000 MSRP might be priced around $700 at DDS. The same sofa could be $500 or less at Ross based on what they paid the vendor. DDS rarely goes above 40% off, while Ross commonly offers 50% to 60% discounts on big ticket items.
Brand Selection
Both stores sell predominantly name brand merchandise across departments. However, Ross generally offers a wider assortment of brands, including higher end labels not typically found at DDS.
In apparel, Ross carries brands like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Lucky Brand. DDS focuses more on mainstream brands like Nike, Adidas, Levi’s, and Dockers. You can find select designer brands at DDS, but the selection is limited compared to Ross.
For home goods and housewares, Ross sells brands like KitchenAid, Henckels, Nespresso, Dyson, and Tempurpedic. DDS features more budget-friendly brands alongside some higher end names. Expect to see Mainstays, Rachael Ray, and Farberware alongside Pyrex and Dyson at DDS.
Shoes and accessories at Ross include Coach, Ugg, Timberland, Sperry, and Steve Madden. DDS carries those along with Payless, Skechers, Hush Puppies, and other value footwear brands.
Quality and Condition
When buying discounted merchandise, quality and condition are big considerations. Here Ross has a clear edge over DDS.
Ross is quite selective about the products it buys from vendors, rejecting items that don’t meet its standards. Merchandise is inspected thoroughly before being approved for shipment to stores. As a result, most items sold at Ross are in excellent “like new” condition.
DDS takes more of an “off price” approach, buying up closeouts, leftovers, and overstocks without such stringent quality reviews. You may encounter new-with-tags merchandise, but some goods have minor flaws or wear. It’s more of a treasure hunt for hidden gems than a curated selection.
For apparel, Ross only offers items that are currently in style and seasonally appropriate. You won’t find dated styles or items with stains/tears that are common at “bin” discounters. DDS sells more transitional out of season apparel since they buy stockpiles from past seasons.
If top condition, contemporary merchandise is paramount, Ross has the edge. DDS condition is less consistent, but the tradeoff is steeper discounts if you don’t mind sifting through racks.
Coupons and Loyalty Programs
Neither Ross nor DDS offer any ongoing coupon promotions. Both feature general savings offers around major holidays like 20% off a single item coupons at Christmas and similar promotions.
Ross has a loyalty program called Rewards while DDS has the dd’s DISCOUNTS VIP Club. Members earn points for purchases that translate into reward certificates valid on future buys. Ross Rewards members get a $5 reward for every 125 points while DDS VIPs get $5 per every 100 points.
The DDS program edges out Ross here, with members earning 5 points per $1 spent versus just 1 point per $1 at Ross. That makes it easier to rack up redemptions at DDS. However, Ross offers special members only Blockbuster Sale events and early shopping access for the dedicated bargain hunters among its Rewards members.
Return Policy
For returns and exchanges, both retailers offer industry standard policies:
- Unworn merchandise with original tags can be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
- A valid receipt is required for all returns/exchanges.
- Refund will be made in original form of payment.
- Exchanges allowed within 30 days with receipt (except for clearance items).
The key difference is Ross offers in-store returns only while DDS allows returns by mail. DDS also allows returns without a receipt at their discretion, with receipt of ID. Ross does not accept any returns without valid receipts. So DDS policies are a bit more flexible overall.
Store Atmosphere
Ross and DDS stores have similar layouts with self-service environments and merchandise grouped by department.
Ross locations are generally larger at 25,000 to 30,000 square feet versus 12,000 to 15,000 square feet for DDS. Ross stores appear less cluttered overall with wider aisles. Their larger size also means greater depth and breadth of selection within each department.
DDS has adopted some of the same visual merchandising strategies as Ross, using clear signage to call out the original and Ross prices for easy comparison. Brand names and savings are proudly emphasized throughout DDS stores as value takes center stage.
For the treasure hunt shopping experience, DDS may be slightly more fun to browse with merchandise packed into smaller spaces. But Ross is better organized overall with clear wayfinding to guide you to the categories you need.
Geographic Availability
In terms of brick and mortar access, Ross has the edge with over 1,900 locations across 40 U.S. states. DDS has just 280 storefronts in 19 Western and Southwestern states. So unless you live in those regions, you won’t have access to DDS in person.
Ross opened over 70 new stores in 2021 alone as it continues national expansion. DDS appears content staying regional at least for now, catering to its core markets out West rather than broadening reach. So Ross definitely offers greater in store availability for more shoppers.
As far as e-commerce, Ross lags behind with no current dedicated online store. DDS launched dd’s DISCOUNTS online shopping in 2020, allowing web orders to be picked up in store or shipped with delivery fees applied. So DDS definitely has the upper hand for digital access in markets without nearby store locations.
Product Selection
Ross and DDS both emphasize name brand apparel, shoes, and accessories as their primary product focus. DDS allocates around 55% of its sales to apparel and shoes while Ross comes in around 50%.
Beyond fashion categories, Ross carries far more depth across departments like bed and bath, furniture, cookware, electronics, toys, and luggage. Average Ross stores have about 60 dressing rooms and 80 cash registers compared to just 8 dressing rooms and 30 registers at DDS.
This indicates Ross devotes more real estate to categories beyond clothing and accessories. They maintain a broader selection across multiple departments. DDS outdoor, pet,automotive, and party supplies sections are also significantly smaller than at Ross.
For overall variety across men’s, women’s, children’s, and home merchandise, Ross is the clear winner. The larger average store size allows for more breadth and depth of product.
Conclusion
When weighing all the factors, Ross consistently comes out ahead for lower prices, brand selection, product condition, in-store variety, and geographic access. DDS competes on deeper apparel markdowns, a more rewarding loyalty program, and greater digital convenience. But for the best and cheapest in-store treasure hunt experience across all categories, Ross is hard to beat.
Here is a summary of the key differences:
| Factor | Ross | DDS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and discounts | Deeper discounts, especially on big ticket items | Discounts consistently 30-40% off MSRP |
| Brand selection | Broader assortment including high end brands | Mostly mainstream brands |
| Quality and condition | Very selective, items inspected before sale | Less filtering, some condition flaws possible |
| Coupons and loyalty programs | Limited promos, decent loyalty program | No coupons, better loyalty program |
| Return policy | In-store returns only | Mail returns available, more flexible |
| Store atmosphere | Larger stores, well organized | Compact layout, more cluttered |
| Geographic availability | 1,900+ locations in 40 states | 280 stores in 19 Western/Southwestern states |
| Online shopping | No e-commerce currently | Online ordering launched in 2020 |
| Product selection | All categories, extensive non-apparel options | Heavier emphasis on apparel and shoes |
While DDS beats Ross on some metrics, Ross generally lives up to its slogan of offering “Brands for Less”. Lower prices coupled with a treasure trove spanning every category gives Ross the win for cheapest and best overall discount shopping experience.
So is Ross actually cheaper than DDS? When you look holistically at pricing, selection, quality, and convenience, Ross provides better everyday value across more merchandise categories. Savvy bargain hunters should explore both for the best deals, but Ross is hard to top for major savings on brand name goods across all departments.
Some shoppers may prefer the more compact DDS layouts for easy browsing and the satisfaction of uncovering hidden gems among the closeouts. However, Ross offers a greater volume of high quality, deeply discounted products across its vast store network. For brand conscious bargain shoppers, Ross delivers cheap thrills and major savings every day.
When looking strictly at the bottom line, diligent customers can score outstanding deals at both retailers. But upon weighing all the evidence, Ross comes out on top for overall value, price cuts, and an unparalleled treasure hunting playground.
Next time you are comparing prices and discounts, opt for Ross over DDS for cheaper prices on brand name merchandise across all categories. Ross truly earns its tagline and reputation as the ultimate discount department store. By offering steeper price cuts on an wider array of quality goods, Ross delivers more savings for less every day.
Some notes when deciding between Ross and DDS:
- Ross has steeper average discounts, especially on big ticket items
- Ross offers greater selection across brands and products
- Merchandise condition and quality tend to be higher at Ross
- DDS rewards program offers slightly better perks for frequent shoppers
- Ross has vastly more brick and mortar locations for in store shopping
- DDS competes on flexibility with online ordering and mail returns
While both are great options for discount retail therapy, Ross consistently underprices DDS when it comes to the savings customers care about most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ross have better deals than DDS?
Overall, yes Ross tends to offer better deals than DDS. Ross buyers are able to negotiate steeper discounts directly with vendors. Combined with a more selective quality control process, Ross ends up with lower prices on brand name merchandise in better condition. DDS relies more on discounts set by the manufacturer rather than bargaining for the lowest price possible.
Is Ross cheaper than TJ Maxx?
Ross and TJ Maxx offer similarly discounted prices on brand name apparel and home goods. Ross tends to have lower regular prices with steeper markdowns taken on clearance items. But both offer savings of 20% to 60% off department store prices, making them comparable low price options.
Does Ross have a better selection than Burlington?
Ross generally has a more extensive selection of merchandise across brands and product categories. The average Ross store is significantly larger at 25,000 to 30,000 square feet versus under 20,000 square feet for most Burlington locations. This allows Ross to offer greater depth and variety across all departments.
Is DDS going out of business?
DDS is not currently going out of business. The off-price chain remains financially healthy and continues opening new store locations, especially in the Southwestern United States. As of 2022, DDS parent company Ross Stores, Inc. reported 280 DDS discount stores in 19 states.
Does Ross have furniture?
Yes, Ross stores feature an extensive furniture department with savings up to 60% off department store prices. You can shop brand name living room, bedroom, dining, and patio furniture sets at most Ross locations. Furniture selection focuses on budget to moderately priced household name brands sold at deep discounts.
Between lower prices, stronger quality control, and unparalleled selection, Ross claims the title as the superior discount department store over rival DDS. Savvy shoppers should hunt for deals at both, but will likely maximize savings at Ross. Next time you are choosing where to shop, opt for Ross over DDS and let the savings begin.