JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) today reported total sales and comparable store sales for the fiscal period(s) ended August 29, 2009.

                          Total Sales (in millions)   Percent Change

                                                    Total  Comparable
    Fiscal period              2009     2008        Sales  Store Sales
    August (4 weeks)        $  76.1   $ 86.8       (12.3)%   (8.9)%
    Year-to-date (30 weeks) $ 683.2   $750.6        (9.0)%   (6.6)%

During August, the best performing categories continued to be ladies' dresses and casual sportswear, while the most difficult were ladies' career sportswear and home. Stores in California and in the Ohio Valley led the Company's sales performance, while stores in the Southeast experienced the weakest trends.

There were no additions or closings in the store network in August. There were 270 stores in operation at August 29, 2009 as compared to 283 at the same time last year.

About Stein Mart

Stein Mart stores offer the fashion merchandise, service and presentation of a better department or specialty store, at prices up to 60 percent off department and specialty store original prices, every day. Currently with locations from California to Massachusetts, Stein Mart's focused assortment of merchandise features current season, moderate to better fashion apparel for women and men, as well as accessories, gifts, linens and shoes.

SMRT-S

Additional information about Stein Mart, Inc. can be found at www.steinmart.com

SOURCE Stein Mart, Inc.