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My happy place is T.J. Maxx—strolling the home decor aisles, flipping through the clothing racks, and hunting for luxury brands in the beauty section. Every visit promises new, unexpected finds and I’m addicted to the thrill of scoring a great deal. As someone who has spent a lot of time shopping at T.J. Maxx over the years, I’ve learned a few shopping tips. Following my own advice (some of which has been confirmed by the brand) helps me find hidden gems and the lowest prices.
Not every visit to T.J. Maxx has to be intentional—often there’s no plan, the store tells me what I need. Even when I’m not hunting for anything specific, these shopping hacks help steer me in the right direction. Here’s how to maximize your next trip to T.J. Maxx, everything from the best times to shop and which aisles to hit first to decoding price tags.
Go early in the morning.
Whenever possible, shop at T.J. Maxx first thing in the morning. (Most stores open between 8:30 and 10 am). Not only are the aisles less crowded, but the shelves should be more organized and fully stocked with merchandise. You’re also more likely to find new markdowns and newly stocked items.
Don’t sleep on the home section.
I love the beauty and fashion at T.J. Maxx, but I always head straight to the home decor aisles. You can find me at my local store sniffing every decorative candle, eyeing every throw blanket, and sorting through kitchen items (I’ve spotted luxury brands like Le Creuset). My biggest weaknesses are the wicker baskets and wooden cutting boards—how many is too many?
While HomeGoods is known for their discount home items, I always get lucky shopping T.J. Maxx’s home section. The store often has trendy furniture and stylish rugs from big brands, like Loloi and Jaipur Living.
Always browse “The Runway” section.
Hunting for designer labels and high-end fashion? Head to the runway section to find lower prices on luxury items, including clothing, handbags, and shoes. At my local T.J. Maxx, I’ve spotted brands like Gucci, Rag & Bone, and Vince. Keep in mind: Not every location has The Runway section, but you can also find a selection of designer steals online.
Pay attention to the price tag colors.
I recently learned that T.J. Maxx has a specific color coding system that can help you shop smarter. Look out for these stickers:
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White tag or no sticker: Regular priced items without markdown
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Red tag: Item is on clearance
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Yellow tag: Item is on clearance and final sale
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Blue tag: Item is part of a matching set, but the items can be sold separately. Keep your eye out for a matching piece nearby.
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Purple tag: Item belongs to “The Runway” section, known for its high end and couture fashion.
Shop clearance during “J” months.
I never skip the clearance rack, but there are certain times you can expect even lower prices: January and July. Don’t believe me? I confirmed this popular rumor with reps at T.J. Maxx—it’s true!
Jeff Greenberg – Getty Images
Ask for a deeper discount on damaged items.
Like any busy store, you may occasionally find defective items at T.J. Max—think boots with a scuffed toe, clothing with loose threads, or decorative items with small chips. If you’ve fallen in love with a damaged item, don’t be afraid to ask the cashier if they can provide a deeper discount. A store manager may be able to provide a lower price.
If you like something, don’t wait.
Inventory changes fast and popular items sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate to snag items that call to you. I’ve tried to return to stores for items I previously scouted out (even the day before), and they’re always gone. While it’s possible that a fan favorite may return to shelves, there’s no guarantees that an item will be back once it’s sold. And, keep an eye out for viral items—like the beaded bags all over TikTok.
Ask about shipping items to your home.
Select T.J. Maxx stores offer a home delivery option, which is particularly helpful for those larger items that are too difficult to carry home. Ask a salesperson if your local store will ship items to your home, so you can keep your hands free to continue shopping.
Didn’t find what you wanted? Check online.
If you’re hunting for a specific item or design label, you can browse a wide selection of fashion, home, and beauty merchandise at tjmaxx.com. There are also tons of clearance items—many under $10. You can get free shipping on all orders over $89 with code “SHIP89”.
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