Having both survived and thrived through countless recessions and inflationary periods since its founding in 1982, Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) has proven itself time and time again. As the country's largest off-price retail chain, Ross Stores is also arguably best at offering the latest styles to customers on the cheap. The company combines its tremendous purchasing power with a conservative presentation approach (i.e., no expensive fixtures or decorations in its stores) to pass the savings on to its customers.