(NEXSTAR) – When browsing the aisles at T.J.Maxx, shoppers are often faced with the same nagging question: “Do I have room in my wardrobe for another diaphanous beach cover-up?”
Moments later, some of those same shoppers might also be asking themselves a different, less agonizing question — usually upon seeing the color-coded price tags.
“Do the colors of these tags mean anything?”
The answer to the latter question (and the initial one, assuming a complete lack of self-discipline when it comes to diaphanous cover-ups) is a resounding yes.
As most T.J.Maxx shoppers are well aware, the price tags on many items throughout the store are sometimes printed on purple or blue cardstock rather than the standard white (which indicates the original T.J.Maxx price). What’s more, some of the price tags are further marked down with red or yellow stickers.
The red and yellow markdown stickers clearly indicate different forms of additional discounts. But the blue or purple tags might be more of a mystery to casual T.J.Maxx shoppers.
“Blue price tags indicate coordinates; however, these items can be sold separately,” a representative for T.J.Maxx explained of the blue-tinged tags, which indicate that a matching piece may be available nearby. The purple tags, meanwhile, are only attached to items belonging to T.J.Maxx’s “The Runway” department, a higher-end collection featuring “European, contemporary and couture fashion,” according to T.J.Maxx.
Items with white, blue or purple tags can also be further discounted with red or yellow pricing stickers — red indicating “clearance” pricing and yellow indicating “final clearance” or “final markdown.”
Items with yellow tags will not be discounted any further, according to T.J.Maxx. And if such items “linger” for too long on the sales floor, they will eventually be “sold to a third party or donated to charitable organizations,” a representative told Nexstar.
“Only a very small percentage of merchandise from our stores goes unsold,” the rep added.
In other words, if shoppers at T.J.Maxx see yellow stickers (or multiple red stickers) on items they’re thinking about buying, it’s likely those items are nearing the cheapest they’ll ever be.
Here’s hoping you enjoy your newest beachy cover-up.
FAQs
Check for certain colors at TJ Maxx and Marshalls
Red stickers mean that's the clearance price. Yellow means the item is at its final clearance price. Blue stickers mean there is another item that is sold with the one you're holding, so look around for its coordinating piece.
How to check batch code? ›
Batch codes can be distinguished because they are applied later to already printed packaging. Select a brand to see instructions on how to look like for batch codes of the brand. A batch code is printed or stamped on the bottom of a product packaging.
What is TJ Maxx pricing strategy? ›
The majority of products we sell are high quality, fashionable, brand name, and designer merchandise generally sold at prices 20%-60% less than full-price retailers' regular prices on comparable merchandise. Most of our merchandise is fashionable, current season styles.
Why are things so much cheaper at TJ Maxx? ›
TJ Maxx sells products at 20% to 60% cheaper than department stores and retailers. It does so by buying surplus inventory from retailers. Recent store closures and a slowdown in consumer spending have given it access to more inventory.
What are the codes on TK Maxx tags? ›
“The main three codes you'll see are one, two, and seven. 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,” David shared.
What do the codes mean for TJ Maxx? ›
READ MORE ON SHOPPING
According to the bargain hunter, if the number is a one, it means the product was specifically produced for TK Maxx. A number two means it's "genuine unsold stock." And if the products has a number seven it means "the product was packed away from a previous year."
How to decipher lot code? ›
How to Read Lot Numbers
- The first two digits (18) is the year of manufacture (2018)
- The next two digits (02) is the month of manufacture (February)
- The next two digits (20) is the day of the month of manufacture (20th)
- The next digit (6) is our inter-company plant number.
The batch number is a 6-digit code that is associated with the product's manufacture date and is typically located on the bottom of the container. Example: A product with the batch code #806141 was manufactured on June 14th, 2018.
What are batch codes? ›
Also referred to as a lot number, lot code, or code number, a product batch code is a combination of numbers and/or letters that are used to identify a set of identical mass-produced products. These shared characteristics may include: Date/time of production.
What's cheaper, Walmart or TJ Maxx? ›
The main difference here is that Walmart focuses on cheaper prices. But you won't get the high-end brands at this store. Regardless, Walmart is a great alternative if you are simply looking for a more affordable price of a similar item that you would find at TJ Maxx.
When you shop matters. 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. You'll want to take a look around the store for yellow tags on items, showing they're on clearance.
What is a best day to buy in TJ Maxx? ›
TJ Maxx is known for its ever-changing inventory. Stores typically receive new shipments several times a week, but the most substantial restocks often happen on weekdays. This means that if you're looking for the freshest selection, a weekday visit is your best bet.
Why do clothes end up at TJ Maxx? ›
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, ...
Where does TJ Maxx get its clothes? ›
Maxx and Marshalls, which are both owned by TJX Companies, buy excess apparel, accessories, and home goods from department stores and specialty retailers and sell them at discounted prices. Typically, brands send the merchandise to off-price retailers if they've purchased too much or when it's out of season.
Why is makeup at TJ Maxx so cheap? ›
These chains have flexible buying models and are able to scoop up unwanted merchandise from suppliers at steep discounts to their initial wholesale price. Unlike brands and stores that lock in their inventory six months to a year in advance, TJX and other off-price chains buy surplus merchandise to sell it right away.
What do the purple tags at TJ Maxx mean? ›
The purple tags are just for products that belong to TJ Maxx's 'The Runway' department. The Runway section of the store is made out of higher-end items and features 'European, contemporary, and couture fashion. '
What is the yellow tag at TJ Maxx? ›
Maxx. Items with white, blue or purple tags can also be further discounted with red or yellow pricing stickers — red indicating “clearance” pricing and yellow indicating “final clearance” or “final markdown.”
What do the tags mean at Marshalls? ›
You'll also want to take a look at the color of your tag or sticker, as store associates might be more willing to give you a further discount on items with a red tag (which indicates a clearance item) or a yellow tag, which indicates a final clearance price that they're likely hoping to move out quickly.
