TJ Maxx is not like every other retail store. If you have ever shopped there, you know when you enter through those automatic glass doors, you might just leave without your last paycheck. 

As a cashier, you’ll tend to ask customers if they’ve found everything all right. If you work there, you already know the number one response, “Yes and more!” Want to know why? Well, as an employee of this meticulous and successful company of over three years, I am here to tell you. 

Retail stores have mastered the art of marketing and grabbing the eye of consumers. However, not in the manner that TJ Maxx has. 

Why You Can’t Resist

TJMaxx strategically constructs a maze-like layout for a sense of curiosity. From start to finish, the layout is built to captivate while shopping, even through the checkout line. They also use tactics such as color theory. Sections are in rainbow order, starting with red to purple, ending with neutrals like tan, white and black, keeping the store organized but also gravitational.  

Limited products with short shelf lives add a little pressure to the decision process. This being something TJ Maxx is also known for. 

In the nature of discounted stores, there’s a no-backstock policy. Hence, what you see is what you get. For example, the customer knows that if we only have one size small of their favorite sweater, then that is the only one they can buy for that discounted price at that time. TJ Maxx even adds the original price above to remind you of the bargain. 

All this time you thought you had a shopping problem. In reality, they set you up for failure, or at least you can justify it now.

No More Gatekeeping

My time with TJ Maxx, customers have sounded more or less like a broken record when it comes to clearance items. Asking “When is the best time to shop?” or, “When does the store do markdowns?”

Here’s the truth… The store goes through a weeklong process around the beginning of every month to markdown (red ticket) section by section. Final clearance (yellow tickets), being the cheapest you will see for any item, occurs the month after Christmas and right before school starts from mid-July to August. 

Reality of Retail

TJ Maxx and their branches, such as Marshalls and HomeGoods, are discount stores. In other words, a store full of your favorite brands hand-me-downs. With explanations such as prices not matching the quality or desire for the product, being damaged or even defective, the products are on discount for a reason. 

Does knowing everything said above change your perspective of shopping at TJ Maxx? 

Who better to ask than a fellow coworker? When asked this, Sarah said, “Well, no.” She then continued to tell me a story. “One time I was speaking with a professor about TJ Maxx and how I enjoyed shopping there. The professor stated that ‘TJ Maxx was bottom of the barrel products because they are other brands’ unwanted items.’ Though she is not entirely wrong, those products were still popular for a reason,” she Sarah. 

TJ Maxx has realized the insignificance of trends and fast fashion by giving products a second life. So, if you loved those black ballet flats by Steve Madden, not for their strong media presence but because they suited your quality expectations and style, then buying them from TJ Maxx or their branches shouldn’t matter if you’re buying them for you. 

The reality of the fashion industry and retail is that fashion will and has always been deceptive. Therefore, whether you care that you’re buying flats from Steve Madden or their last-season discounted leftovers is up to you to decide.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.