Almost 50 years ago, the first TJ Maxx opened its doors in the humble town of Auburn, Massachusetts.
By 2022, there are over 1,271 TJ Maxx stores and they have acquired some major retail brands such as Marshalls, HomeGoods, and TK Maxx. TJ Maxx and Marshalls in particular are the most popular of them all, with a total of 1,500+ locations worldwide.
But the two off-price department stores sell virtually the same things, at the same price, and have similar store layouts. In that case, what are the differences between TJ Maxx vs Marshalls?
If you’re interested in finding out, I suggest you read to the end because we’ll go through:
- Which is cheaper, TJ Maxx or Marshalls
- Why are TJ Maxx and Marshalls so cheap
- Which shop has better quality items
- What NOT to buy from TJ Maxx and Marshalls
TJ Maxx vs Marshalls
The key difference between TJ Maxx and Marshalls lies in their expanded departments. Marshalls emphasizes more on family footwear and men’s and juniors’ clothes, whereas TJ Maxx offers a wider variety of jewelry and accessories. Aside from that, they have the same prices, items, and target customers.
TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx sells more women’s shoes, making it the perfect place for trendy fashionistas to buy affordable footwear for any occasion. There is also The Runway, TJ Maxx’s store-in-a-store featuring luxury footwear brands from Europe and America.
The Runway’s high-end footwear priced up to $500 below retail rate is popular among celebrities too. If you’re lucky, you may bump into Anne Hathway, Gwen Stefani, or Lorde searching among the TJ Maxx baskets.
Some brands that you can find at The Runway include:
- Gucci
- Balenciaga
- Saint Laurent
- Valentino
- Stuart Weitzman
- Herve Leger
- Vince
TJ Maxx also expands on its accessories and jewelry section. You can find a larger assortment of sunglasses, watches, and even 14k gold.
You may be interested: When Does TJ Maxx Restock?
Marshalls
As mentioned, Marshalls specializes in the men’s department and family footwear, and thus offers a wider range of goods in this section as compared to TJ Maxx. However, Marshalls’ key differentiation is not on their men’s department.
You may be interested: Is Marshalls a Thrift Store?
Marshalls has a boutique junior’s section called The Cube where customers can find trending athletic shoes and designer brands. We’re talking about:
- Nikes
- Jordans
- Kobes
- Calvin Kleins
- Adidas
This YouTuber even found Michael Kors sandals for only $30! Clearly, Marshalls is the place to go if you want authentic yet affordable sports shoes to add to your wardrobe, or even flip on eBay for a profit.
You may be interested: When Does Marshall’s Restock?
Which is Cheaper, TJ Maxx or Marshalls?
Both TJ Maxx and Marshalls offer almost the same prices, so there is not much differentiation in that regard. They both sell at prices 20-60% less than other retailers.
These discounted items have yellow price tags (lowest price possible) and red price tags (sale merchandise with potential extra discounts).
How are TJ Maxx and Marshalls so Cheap?
Off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls employs several techniques to obtain lower-priced goods at almost brand-new quality. These methods include:
- Having a simple store layout design.
- Spending less on advertising.
- Buying excess inventory from vendors.
- Buying items from past seasons.
- Buying reject goods due to wrong specifications (wrong color, size, etc.).
- Continuously replenishing stock every week.
Does TJ Maxx or Marshalls Sell Fake Products?
Surely, selling lower-priced must involve cutting corners right such as selling fake goods right? Yes, TJ Maxx and Marshalls keep costs low by providing a simple shopping experience, but they will never sell unauthentic goods.
Moreover, they have never been sued by any brands, which infers a great deal about their authenticity.
Which Shop Has Better Quality Goods: TJ Maxx or Marshalls?
Both TJ Maxx and Marshalls offer decent quality, authentic products. The only difference is the variety of assortments they offer.
What NOT To Buy From TJ Maxx and Marshalls
Shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls can be a good bargain – if you know what you’re buying. The general rule of thumb is to thoroughly inspect an item’s quality before purchasing, but there are some products that you should just avoid at all costs.
These items include:
- Unknown brands at extremely low prices
- Swimwear
- Bedsheets
- Perfume, hair products, and cosmetics
- Skincare
- Baby toys
- Makeup
- Yoga mats
- Furniture
- Kitchen supplies
Generally, these items tend to have defects and will most probably break in a few months. Thus, it’s a better use of your money to buy them from other department stores.
Conclusion
The main difference between TJ Maxx and Marshalls is their specialization. TJ Maxx sells more jewelry, accessories, and luxury women’s footwear. Marshalls emphasizes trendy athletic footwear and a larger men’s department.
Which off-price retailer is your favorite? Share with us your experience shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls in the comments below!
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