10 Things You Didn’t Know About TJ Maxx & Why Prices Are So Low (2024)

If you are a budget fashion lover, then you likely take it to the ‘Maxx. By “it,” we mean your paycheck. And by ‘Maxx, we mean the much-adored budget retailer TJ Maxx.

Yes, TJ Maxx is likely the source of many dropped dollars, if you like your clothing and home decor to cost less than department stores. But when you’re down for a style hunt, you probably pull into the retailer’s parking lot without much thought on how exactly TJ Maxx does it all. But there’s a slew of relatively unknown facts behind the store’s inception and concept—not to mention insider tips to help you get the very best deals along the way.

If you want to know what a TJ Maxx yellow tag means or the difference between TJ Maxx and Marshalls (and yes, there is a difference), check out these 10 fast facts about TJ Maxx.

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1. The first TJ Maxx stores opened in 1977.

In 1976, a discount retail corporation recruited Bernard Cammarata, who was the general merchandising manager of Marshalls at the time, to spearhead the launch of a new off-price chain selling apparel and home decor. A year later in 1977, the first two TJ Maxx stores opened in Auburn and Worcester, Mass. That history adds up to more than 40 years of deals.

In 1995, Marshalls was acquired by TJX Companies (TJ Maxx’s parent company), even though the inception and overall concept of TJ Maxx was likely inspired by the long-standing success of Marshalls stores.

2. Forget what you’ve heard: TJ Maxx is not a discount store.

Though you can score some pretty stellar deals at TJ Maxx, it’s not technically a discount store. TJ Maxx is an off-price retailer, which means it stocks excess inventory from merchandisers. According to the TJ Maxx website, the retailer sources inventory from “a wide variety of opportunities, which can include department store cancellations, a manufacturer making up too much product, or a closeout deal when a vendor wants to clear merchandise at the end of a season.” Discount stores, on the other hand, buy merchandise at full wholesale price but take less markup than traditional stores.

3. There’s actually a difference between TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Though many shoppers think of the sister stores as interchangeably similar, TJ Maxx and Marshalls both have some distinct features. TJ Maxx has an expanded jewelry and accessories section and features more designer pieces for sale. Marshalls, on the other hand, offers family footwear, an expanded men’s department and a dedicated juniors department.

4. The majority of TJ Maxx products aren’t damaged or irregular.

According to SheFinds, 95 percent of products sold at the retailer are in top-notch condition, with damaged or defective products making up only a reported 5 percent of all TJ Maxx inventory. And don’t worry, any condition issues will always be disclosed on the tag—but it’s rarely a concern.

5. TJ Maxx is actually called T.K.Maxx in the U.K. and Ireland.

The TJX corporation launched T.K. Maxx in the U.K. in 1994. The slight name change was reported to avoid confusion with the existing discount department store chain T.J. Hughes, which already existed in the U.K. and was not affiliated with the TJX corporation.

6. There are more than 1,200 TJ Maxx locations around the world.

As of January 2021, there were more than 1,200 TJ Maxx stores around the world. For those curious, there’s another 600-plus T.K.Maxx locations in the U.K. and Ireland. Out of the 50 states, only Alaska doesn’t have a TJ Maxx location.

7. According to insiders,Wednesday is the best day to shop.

TJ Maxx shoppers claim that the retailer receives its biggest shipments (and marks down the most items) on Wednesdays, making it the best day to score new products and top deals. But deals and markdowns happen all during the workweek—just not on weekends. Other insiders claim shopping midday during the workweek—specifically Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays—will help you beat crowds and score top deals.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About TJ Maxx & Why Prices Are So Low (1)

8. Yellow price tags mean the item is at its final and lowest markdown.

In the case of TJ Maxx, yellow means go. A yellow tag on TJ Maxx merchandise means the item has been marked down to its final—and lowest—price. Any introductory markdowns are printed on red stickers, while regularly priced merchandise features white labels comparing a product’s TJ Maxx price to its normal retail cost. But be warned: Some reports claim these retail prices may be slightly inflated, giving the impression of a better bargain.

9. TJ Maxx stores in select regions sell discounted designer merchandise.

And we mean designer. Select TJ Maxx stores have deals on top designer pieces in a special section called The Runway. In The Runway, you can find some of the biggest names in fashion, with some shoppers discovering Gucci, Celine and Saint Laurent pieces in the sought-after section. You can also shop The Runway (and regular TJ Maxx pieces, for that matter) online. When shopping in stores, The Runway merchandise will have a purple tag.

10. TJ Maxx has its own private labels, which turns out some of the merchandise the store stocks.

According to HerCampus, an estimated 10 percent of products available in TJ Maxx stores are created under independently-owned private labels. Clothing featuring the label Frou Frou, Mercer and Madison, Between Me & You, and more are all owned by The TJX Companies. These items are created especially for sales at TJ Maxx and Marshalls locations.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About TJ Maxx & Why Prices Are So Low (2024)

FAQs

Why are TJ Maxx prices so low? ›

T.J. Maxx's prices are so low because they buy past-season merchandise and even items from canceled orders at other retailers. T.J. Maxx also carries many of their own private labels, including Mercer & Madison, Bella Lux, and If It Were Me, which helps them further boost their bottom line.

Why is Maxx so cheap? ›

Our buyers are opportunistic and entrepreneurial. So when a designer overproduces, or other stores overbuy, we swoop in, negotiate the lowest possible price and pass the savings on.

Is TJ Maxx low quality? ›

The majority of TJ Maxx products aren't damaged or irregular. According to SheFinds, 95 percent of products sold at the retailer are in top-notch condition, with damaged or defective products making up only a reported 5 percent of all TJ Maxx inventory.

What makes TJ Maxx unique? ›

REAL BRANDS, REAL SAVINGS, REALLY

For us, value is a combination of brand, fashion, price, and quality. Unlike more traditional retailers, our retail chains generally don't engage in promotional pricing activity like sales, coupons, or other gimmicks – just exciting merchandise at amazing prices, every single day!

Is TJ Maxx cheaper than Walmart? ›

TJ Maxx is an off-price retailer, meaning it sells brand names and designer products for 20-60% less than department stores and other retailers.

Why are designers pulling out of TJ Maxx? ›

(NewsNation Now) — Bad news for bargain shoppers: Designer brands are expected to be pulled from discount chains like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Burlington due to global supply chain issues. Designers like Levi's, Under Armour, Ralph Lauren, Carter's and Steve Madden have decided to sell their clothing at full price.

What is code 7 on TK Maxx? ›

Number '7' refers to 'packaway' stock, this means the products have been packed away from a previous year, for example, Christmas crackers left over in January and put on sale for the following Christmas.

What's the best day of the week to shop at TJ Maxx? ›

Most T.J. Maxx Stores do markdowns on Monday mornings, making this the best time of the week to shop if you're looking for a deal.

What is the best day to go to TJ Maxx? ›

Maxx markdowns happen on Monday mornings, so you'll find the biggest selection of clearance steals as soon as the store opens on Mondays. Avoid shopping on the weekends if you can. New T.J.

What's better Marshalls or TJ Maxx? ›

While T.J. Maxx is better known for designer items and jewelry, particularly with its The Runway collection, Marshalls carries more footwear and has an expanded men's department and a junior department known as The Cube. Meanwhile, Homesense tends to have a bigger selection than HomeGoods, according to Cosmopolitan.

What does a blue tag at TJ Maxx mean? ›

The white tag indicates the regular price of an item, the red tag signifies the clearance price, while the yellow tag shows the final clearance price which will give you the best bargain. A blue tag, on the other hand, means the item has another piece that goes with it.

Who is TJ Maxx target audience? ›

Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning

TJ Maxx knows exactly who its customers are. It's a woman between the ages of 25 and 54 who has a middle to upper-middle income, is fashion and value-conscious, and shops a variety of retailers, both online and in-store, from department and speciality stores to mass merchants.

Does TJ Maxx sell real Gucci? ›

Maxx and Marshalls sell are generally accepted to be authentic goods.

What is the TJ Maxx controversy? ›

For more than five years, TJX knowingly sold, offered for sale, and distributed dangerous recalled products through its website and its retail stores. These sales were illegal and put hazardous products into the hands and homes of unsuspecting consumers.

Is the makeup at TJ Maxx old? ›

TJMaxx receives products from other companies that cannot sell their inventory because they are too old. Makeup, particularly cream/liquid products, have a year to wear out. The majority of their products pass that timeframe.

Which one is better TJ Maxx or Target? ›

Compare company reviews, salaries and ratings to find out if Target or TJ Maxx is right for you. Target is most highly rated for Culture and TJ Maxx is most highly rated for Work/life balance.
...
Overall Rating.
Overall Rating3.53.6
Management3.13.3
Culture3.43.5
3 more rows

Can you negotiate prices at TJ Maxx? ›

Learn to Haggle at TJ Maxx

When shopping for home decor, furniture, luggage, and even mirrors and prints it's worth knowing that you can haggle an even lower price. Simply look for any imperfections like dents, scratches, or even damaged packaging, and politely ask an employee for a discount.

What day of the week does TJ Maxx get new clothes? ›

Shop on Wednesday Mornings

T.J. Maxx stores typically receive new merchandise shipments three to five days a week, but Wednesday is usually the day they mark everything down. Get there in the morning to ensure you'll have access to the most robust selection.

Can you wear ripped jeans to TJ Maxx? ›

As of 2021, you can wear jeans (as long as they aren't distressed/torn).

Are designer brands at TJ Maxx real? ›

Some items sold at the discount stores have a small "TJX" label, naming the parent company of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. A retail expert told News4 that this is a sign that the items were manufactured specifically for the stores, and have designer labels because of licensing agreements with the designers.

What does the code 01 mean in TK Maxx? ›

Daniel added: "The main three codes are one, two, and seven. One means produced for TK Maxx, two is 'close out buy' that is unsold from another brand, and seven is 'packaway' which means it's been packed for a previous year, like Christmas crackers bought in January for the following year.

What does code 5 mean at TK Maxx? ›

Channel 5) That means the item is "genuine excess stock" that was sold at a higher price somewhere else, so you've nabbed a good deal.

What is code 1 TK Maxx? ›

One means produced for TK Maxx, two means it is a 'close out buy', so it's stock that they've got at a deal, that is unsold from another brand. Seven is 'packaway' which means it's been packed for a previous year, like Christmas crackers bought in January for the following year.

What day of the week does TJ Maxx do markdowns? ›

Most T.J. Maxx Stores do markdowns on Monday mornings, making this the best time of the week to shop if you're looking for a deal.

What days of the week does TJ Maxx restock? ›

T.J. Maxx stores typically receive new merchandise shipments three to five days a week, but Wednesday is usually the day they mark everything down. Get there in the morning to ensure you'll have access to the most robust selection. If you've ever shopped at a T.J.

What is the best day to shop at TJ Maxx? ›

Maxx markdowns happen on Monday mornings, so you'll find the biggest selection of clearance steals as soon as the store opens on Mondays. Avoid shopping on the weekends if you can. New T.J.

Are TJ Maxx products authentic? ›

Maxx and Marshalls sell are generally accepted to be authentic goods. The general lack of lawsuits initiated by brands in connection with the sale of counterfeit goods by these retailers also serves as a striking inference in terms of authenticity of the products.

Why does TJ Maxx have weird snacks? ›

Maxx sells overstock or discards from fancy foods stores, like Williams-Sonoma or Macy's, T. J. Maxx often acquires items that are specially produced just for them.

What is the best day of the week to go to Marshalls? ›

Shop during weekday mornings.

If you've attempted to shop at Marshalls on Saturday afternoon, then congrats because you've survived the worst of it. "The best time to shop is weekday mornings when everything is tidy, clean, and well-stocked from the overnight shipment," Christine Lee from HomeGoods Obsessed tells us.

What is TJ Maxx employee discount? ›

10% but there are consistently 20% weekends. And it includes all merchandise, even marked down merchandise.

Can you wear black jeans at TJ Maxx? ›

yes you can wear black jeans but sweatpants are kind of iffy.

What does a purple tag at TJ Maxx mean? ›

This means that your piece is a high-end designer item straight from the runway. Larger TJ Maxx metropolitan stores have a section labeled the 'runway,' so you can easily locate these items.

What day do most stores restock? ›

This actually varies depending on the size of the store. Most of the larger grocery store chains do enormous volumes of business, so they tend to restock every day. Since smaller grocery stores don't turn their inventory over as frequently, they often restock twice a week—usually on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Can you wear jeans at TJ Maxx? ›

As of 2021, you can wear jeans (as long as they aren't distressed/torn). You cannot wear athletic... Can u wear flannel shirts to work? To answer that question, yes.

How many times can you be late at TJ Maxx? ›

For tardies, T.J. Maxx employees first receive a formal counseling if they are tardy six times within a twelve-month period (Doc. 39-1, p. 12).

How many days can you miss at TJ Maxx? ›

There are no guaranteed sick days, although you need to call at least 4 hours before the shift if you are sick, but preferably 24 hours before.

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