One of the things that inspired me to start Moms Need To Shop was a recent trip that I made to Boston. In early July, I was contacted by the people at TJ Maxx/Marshall’s asking if I would be interested in a Mommy Blogger Event at the TJ Maxx Corporate Headquarters to learn more about TJ Maxx and Marshalls. After picking my jaw up off the floor, I happily said yes!
Flying out of Philadelphia International Airport was the first thing….you see – the last time I flew was about 15 years ago. After I got over paying $4 for a bottled water (that I would normally get for free through clever couponing), I was on a plane and headed to Boston!
Upon landing, I immediately met up with Felicia from Go Graham Go and Mindy from Mommies With Cents and we shared a cab to the beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza. That night we all met at The Cottonwood Cafe for dinner and drinks, where I got to know Susan from 5 Minutes For Mom, Felicia from Go Graham Go, Michele from One Chic Mama, Jenn from The Dirty Shirt, Melanie from Mel, A Dramatic Mommy, Mindy from Mommies With Cents and Jodi from Multitasking Mommy. After a wonderful dinner, Jodi took us on a little mini tour of Boston as we headed to the Rattlesnake Rooftop Bar, where we continued to talk, laugh and drink.
Bright and early the next morning, it was off to the TJ Maxx Headquarters where we were treated to breakfast and then immediately launched in to a series of sessions designed to inform us of the inner-workings of TJ Maxx/Marshalls and to dispel some myths about Off Price Retailers.
Why is Off-Price the Better Way To Shop?
1. Buying power: TJ Maxx and Marshalls can best be described as “opportunistic buyers”. Their buyers travel to market over 40 weeks per year, buying from over 10,000 vendors in 60 countries.
2. Unbelievable Savings: Buyers are able to negotiate even better prices with vendors due to many factors: department store planning and ordering errors or designers overproducing. This allows them to offer the same merchandise sold in department stores at much lower prices
3. Product Quality: Over 95% of merchandise at TJ Maxx & Marshalls is the same first quality items that you would find at department or specialty stores at the exact same time.
4. Fresh Merchandise: Unlike department stores that only receive new merchandise seasonally, TJ Maxx & Marshalls receives more than 10,000 new items each week.
5. No sale, EVER: they have built their reputation on offering their customers an ever-changing selection of brand-name family apparel at great values every day
After our Off-Price 101 Session, it was off to meet the Children’s Merchant team where we got to see the fashions that they were bringing in just in time for back to school as well as the Halloween (yes – Halloween in July!) costumes that are heading to the stores (and here is where I promptly begged them to get a certain princess costume in MY size..unfortunately, unless I shrink a foot and lose about 70 pounds, I’m out of luck on that costume!)
One of the highlights of the day was the chance to meet with Michael MacMillan, President of TJ Maxx and Marshalls. He told us that he looks at the basic idea of TJ Maxx and Marshalls as one big “treasure hunt”. After hearing this I realized that it is exactly the same way that I look at the stores. Some days I find nothing…and some days I find so much that I end up frustrated that I can’t walk out with everything that I want! Ok – and I know that this was not that intent of the session with Mr. MacMillian, but I just kept thinking “He is just so CUTE” (then again – I’m a sucker for an accent!)
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you the biggest thing that I learned that day: TJ Maxx and Marshalls are two completely different stores (I know that you are thinking “I’m changing your name to Captain Obvious”, but bear with me…). TJ Maxx and Marshalls are two completely different “concepts”, something that I never thought of until the following differences were pointed out to me:
Marshalls
Home of the Shoe Mega Shop: features thousands of shoes for women, men and children in a new, easy-to-shop format
Men’s Department: if you are looking for a wider selection of mens suits and sports coats, Marshalls is the place to be!
The Cube: The Cube is intended for young women looking to shop the hottest trends and styles. It is a “store within a store”
TJ Maxx
The Runway: while still pricey, this is a place that frugal dreams are made of! Where else can you get a $2,ooo Gucci bag for for only $500 like the one that one that MommyGoggles won? The Runway is in 48 stores nationwide and where you can find couture at rock-bottom prices.
Beauty Department: If you are looking for a wider selection of perfumes and beauty items, TJ Maxx is for you!
Jewelry Department: TJ Maxx has a larger selection of 14 karat, silver, pearls, gemstones, sunglasses and watches
Plus Size Fashions: more selection of plus size clothing
There was so much more: the fashion show, the tour of the purse closet (a closet that is bigger than my dining room, and was so wonderful and tempting that no pictures were allowed) and the chance to talk to several wonderful bloggers, like her her her her her and her (and as for you Jo-Lynne? Thank you for helping me to keep my sanity as we were bumped from plane to plane to plane on the way home!!) If I missed any of the wonderful women who were on this trip with me, I apologize! But it’s been 3 weeks since the trip that I couldn’t write about it because of BlogHer rules and I’m old and my memory sucks!
The day culminated with a shopping trip at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Let me tell you, if you are ever in Framingham, I don’t care how much you love your local TJ Maxx and Marshalls…you HAVE to go to these stores. They were the biggest stores I have ever seen!
So what did I come away from the trip with? A greater understanding of stores that I already love. Accepting this trip was a no-brainer for me. While the time in Boston (and let’s face it, away from 3 fighting children) and staying in a luxury hotel was nice, it was the one-on-one time with the executives of TJ Maxx and Marshalls that worked to solidify my loyalty to these stores.
A BIG thanks to:
Victoria from Rocket XL (for inviting me)
Stacy DeFino from Ogilvy (because she ROCKS. The entire Ogilvy team was awesome, but I developed a big ol’ girl-crush on Stacy!)
The Fairmont Copley Plaza(for pointing out that I didn’t need to pay for Wifi as long as I joined The Fairmont Club for free…but seriously? $14 for a glass of House Pinot Grigio???)
The Cottonwood Cafe (for providing a wonderful dinner and evening)
The RattleSnake Rooftop Bar (even though they weren’t a scheduled part of the trip, they provided the opportunity for me to get to know several women better)
The UnNamed Boston Cab Driver: for not killing me on the trip from the airport to the hotel, although it was “touch and go” a few times!
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First and foremost, I’m blushing over this girl crush thing – you are WAY too kind, but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your words! I am SO glad that you were able to join us at the TJX event in Boston, and more importantly that we got to meet in person (I feel like you can get to know someone so well these days and never meet face-to-face, crazy!). I’m so glad you had a great time and found it educational. Who doesn’t love shopping (and shopping smart!)
Second, I concur on the Fairmont Pinot Grigio… from this WinoBee to another, we got jipped (although mine was sauvignon blanc) I actually wrote a post on it myself — http://winobee.blogspot.com/2009/07/2006-drylands-marlborough-sauvignon.html. HAHA! Next time, you and I are splitting a bottle… its the recessionista thing to do
I understand that you’re obligated to say nice things about these stores and shill for them (they did pay for your nice trip, after all), but it really doesn’t fit the message of frugality that you’ve been preaching for quite some time.
Telling your readers that a $500 purse is a “frugal dream”? C’mon. Yes, it’s a bargain compared to what it would sell for at a boutique, but true frugality is realizing that you don’t NEED a $500 purse or expensive couture in the first place. It’s not an investment like the kitchenware deals that you’ve been posting about, which have many practical functions and last a long time. It’s a fashion accessory that will be out-of-season in a matter of months, making it a poor investment and not frugal at all even if it is a bargain.
Not to mention the couture suggestion just seems very off after mentioning your internal struggle over paying $4 for bottled water. No problems dropping hundreds of dollars on a fashion accessory, but second thoughts over buying a bottle of water? Huh?
“Why is Off-Price the Better Way To Shop?”
“No sale, EVER”
Really? Is this the same “Moms Need To ____” brand? Not having sales is something to celebrate? Since when? Isn’t it better to shop around and compare sales at department and other clothing stores than it is to blindly hope that TJ-Maxx and Marshall’s will give you the best deal?
I’ll keep reading for the grocery deals, but I hope the advertising is kept to a minimum. It’s kind of hard to believe that someone who spent an entire month blogging about living on a strict budget and reexamining everything she “needs” is now telling us to go buy $500 purses and expensive clothes only a few months later.
First – I am not “obligated”…not one person from the trip (either TJ Maxx or the PR people that I dealt with) asked me to post about my trip. I guess I did feel some sort of obligation, but that is because I willingly accepted a trip with a company that I was already loyal to, and I felt an obligation to say “thank you” in the form of a post.
And like it or not, if you have the means and the desire to spend $500 on a $2000 purse, it IS a frugal purchase. Would I spend $500 on a purse? Probably not. Would I spend $250 on a purse? if it was a classic style and one that I really liked – ABSOLUTELY (as evidenced by my rather large selection of Coach – before they started putting their logo on every item they make – and Dooney & Bourke purse selection…many of which I have had since the early 1990s). I have no problem paying more money for quality products. I do, however, have a problem paying retail for those products!
True frugality is not “realizing that you don’t NEED a $500 purse or expensive couture in the first place”. The amount one pays for an item and whether or not that is a frugal purchase is directly proportional to one’s income. A person making $60k per year and in debt to their ears would be a fool to spend $500 on a purse. A person making $150K and living within their means and who can afford to spend cash for that purse? Who are we to judge?
Couture is not a factor in my life, but it is in many people’s lives. Once again, I have no problem spending money for the items that I like. I justify it by not spending the money on the items that I don’t care about (my internal struggle about water had more to do with the fact that I was forced to pitch the bottled water at airport security that I got FOR FREE through couponing). I don’t pay for drinks at home and my “treat” is a $1.19 fountain Diet Coke at Wawa. The idea of paying $4 for a bottled water (that I normally would get for free) seemed crazy. Nobody is offering me free $2,000 Gucci bags. You are comparing Apples to Elephants.
I am sorry if you feel that I am “ruining my brand”. But I don’t believe that “my brand” is being cheap. My tagline on Moms Need To Know is “helping you stretch your dollar so you can have more fun”. I stretch my dollar at the grocery and drug store so that I can buy other (what some may consider) “luxury items” and doing so without putting it on credit and while continuing to live within my means. I make no apologies for that
Well said Mindi and thanks for posting this blog.
How totally fun. That is so interesting about the store having different focuses. Glad you got to go!
And, I totally agree with you – frugal is being responsible within you means!
Great post.
This blog is new to me, but I am loving what I see so far. I live in Boston and shop at Marshall’s more than TJ Maxx and just wanted to say thanks for explaining the differences between the two. And Mindi very nice response!
As a fellow “savvy shopper” I couldn’t agree more with your post. Frugal takes many different forms and is a very different concept for many people. TJ Maxx and Marshalls evens the playing field for everyone looking to maintain a comfortable lifestyle on a restricted budget. Even the wealthiest of folks who have taken a hit are now looking for ways to trim their budget and they can benefit from your advice just as much as anyone else. But I must point out that TJ Maxx and Marshalls DO have sales in the form of clearance merchandise that they, of course, do not advertise as a traditional sale. I find some of the best treasures in their clearance sections! Always shop them first! Good job, Mindi and keep up the great work. You are working for all of us and I REALLY appreciate it!
Great post, Mindi! Thanks for your great review of TJ Maxx/Marshalls. What a great opportunity for you. I think it’s great that they have smart marketing folks who are using bloggers to get the word out on their companies.
And, by the way, I just wanted to say that I am always surprised at what I can find–particularly at TJ Maxx. Do you know that they have the Twilight books at less than the Walmart price?? And, if you ever need a kids gift, look there first. Tons of toys, books, clothes, and more.
Glad to hear that you had fun in my backyard. Is this site going to be set up for Facebook updates, too? That’s how I follow the blog (and one of the few I’ve signed up for and not ended up unsubscribing!)
My favorite TJ Maxx story is when I was a sophomore in high school, I got a Jessica McClintock semi-formal dress for $10. You couldn’t even buy material for $10!
I also agree that this is a different site, and that living within your means can mean that a timeless item can be a true bargain. I like the “cost per use” theory, that spending $200 (or $500, etc) but using something day in and day out for years is a better value than spending $50 on something you use once or twice.
Thanks for explaining the difference between TJ and Marshall’s. I shopped them for years and would not have been able to put my finger on the “difference.” I shop TJ every Christmas for a friend’s DH that is into labels.
Framingham is a trip isn’t it??
I understand your message perfectly, save on the things you need so you can afford the things you want. Not quite there yet, but I am working on it!!
I may have to start shopping more at our local TJ Maxx. Thanks!
So glad you had fun! I just bought a shirt from TJMaxx that Jo-Lynne (Musings) posted on her blog last Friday after I asked her for some fashion advice.
Sounds like a fun trip!! I was just treasure-hunting at TJ Maxx yesterday. Lots of great clearance deals!
I love love love tjmaxx and marshalls and completely agree with you about saving where we can, including saving on luxury goods! Not that I can buy them often, but when I do, I think I am more excited about getting a great deal than I am about using the new item
Your site is the BEST! Thank you for helping us to save tons!
“4. Fresh Merchandise: Unlike department stores that only receive new merchandise seasonally, TJ Maxx & Marshalls receives more than 10,000 new items each week.”
That is more true that I care to think about. I’m one of those people in the back room processing those items that come in three times a week. It’s A LOT of stuff. A lot of people don’t realize just how oten we get new items at TJMaxx. You never find the same thing twice, and that really is the beauty of the treasure hunt.
And I am ashamed to admit that I work at TJMaxx, and had no idea of the differences between TJ’s and Marshall’s. Probably because we don’t have a Marshall’s around where I live.
Great Post!
I’ve been WAITING for this post. I’m just thrilled it’s finally up! And if there is one thing that any Mindi Fan (like ME) knows, it’s that she NEVER does anything because it’s an obligation. She doesn’t host giveaways or do reviews for products she doesn’t try out and/or believe in herself. She has helped me save SO much money and in turn I’ve been able help others. By passing on links or giving to food banks. Sure a little couture is a luxury but don’t we deserve something like that every now and then? And if you can go to a FAB spot like TJMaxx and get it at over 70% off well then you’ve just made great deal on that luxury.
I do nearly all of my holiday shopping between Marshalls and Maxx. I feel great about the quality of the gifts I give and the smaller dent in my wallet. My 10 year old daughter and I do a full day at these two stores each Thanksgiving weekend. We dig for those treasures, bond and make priceless memories. I’ve gotten such AMAZING deals at these stores that I opened and Eleanor closet just like the former first lady. It’s filled with gems to give when the occasion calls for it.
Thanks Mindi and thanks to the CEOs of Max and Mar for bringing it to the moms, validating our buying power and caring about what we are looking for!