EXHIBIT 99.1


                                CERTIFICATION OF
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             OF 99(CENT) ONLY STORES


     This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
(the "Report") for the period ended March 31, 2003 of 99(cent) Only Stores (the
"Issuer").

     I, David Gold, the Chief Executive Officer of Issuer certify that to the
best of my knowledge:

     (i)  the  Report  fully  complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
          section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)
          or  78o(d));  and

     (ii) the  information  contained  in  the  Report  fairly  presents, in all
          material  respects,  the financial condition and results of operations
          of  the  Issuer.


Dated:  May 9, 2003


                                      /s/ David Gold
                                      --------------
                                      Name: David Gold
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer