Difficult To Tell If T.J. Maxx Hit Hard By Recession

[Ilsa]

:rofl: Another masterpiece from The Onion:

Difficult To Tell If T.J. Maxx Hit Hard By Recession



Snip

"The state of this store does not in any way correspond to our standard criteria for judging long-term viability," said economist Graham Stinson, referring to Chicago's Fullerton Avenue branch, where more than half of the fluorescent lights are burnt out. "For instance, the canvas bins heaped with broken stemware in aisle six may be a sign that T.J. Maxx is on the verge of complete bankruptcy. Either that, or it's doing perfectly fine. It's impossible to say which."

Further evidence of T.J. Maxx's imminent foreclosure or, possibly, its wholly unaffected condition, included reports of shoppers rummaging through barrels of lamps up to their shoulders, multiple sightings of bras stuffed into children's shoes, the impromptu sale of in-store display cases for cash, and an excess of golf-based giftware.

snip

"Our analysis of T.J. Maxx's workforce was inconclusive, as we were never totally sure anyone was actually employed there," economist Libby Archer said. "Although, I suppose the lack of a distinct uniform could be a sign that they're doing well enough to move to a more upscale, boutique-type image for the store. That woman I saw drop a load of 20 sweaters onto a table of hats might have been the lead salesgirl."

"She did tell me to get the fuck out of her way," Archer added.

SNIP

[originalpckelly]

1. I shop there, unlike most of idiotic America, I do not pay full price for cheap crap made in China.

Enjoy your cheaply made designer pants that you paid full price for at Macy's. I bought them for $15. :P

[my2sense]

2. Agreed

Marshalls & TJ Maxx are staples for me as well.

[NashVegas]

4. That's So True

I have one dress in my closet from around 1990, bought when you could buy clothes at Macy's that had the Ladies Garment Workers Union label. The superior craftsmanship shows in the seams and stitching. I got it for about 70% off, past season, around $35. Today it would go for 10 times that and have the shoddiest zipper you'll ever see in your life.

[Ilsa]

5. I hear you! I got a $100 fancy dress for $20. You have to really dig, though. nt

[blue_onyx]

3. I've only been to TJ Maxx once

They started closing down stores near me about a year ago. I wouldn't be surprised if T J Maxx doesn't make it until the end of the year.

[Ilsa]

6. That would be awful. Alot of women rely on their apparel for office clothes. nt

[YOY]

8. and a few of us men too.

For business casual they're da bomb.

[KoKo]

10. Yes...they get the good stuff for office wear and offer it well below retail price...

It's amazing what one can find there...if you have the time, that is.

[originalpckelly]

14. It would seem to make sense that in hard times. people want to save money.

About a year ago, it would make sense that they weren't doing well. Now that times are tough, it and other bargain stores like Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Ross, Marchalls, and Big Lots will all be making a killing, and are doing quite well.

[blue_onyx]

15. I hope they make it

I don't want any store to close just so there's not more job loses (although I know more store closings are coming). You are right about discount stores. The Dollar Tree is always busy. I went in there to buy b-day wrapping paper and I had to wait in line for 15 minutes just to buy one item.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Best use of TJ Maxx - food items! That 20-30 dollar bottle of EVOO

at a gourmet food shop is typically 5-8 dollars at the MAXX (just be sure to check the used by date....usually it is fine). Good place to buy jams, real maple syrup, some good dark chocolates at a fraction of the snobby food type shops.

Downside - shopping there is a pretty depressing experience...the check out people are really not all that much on the ball - at least the ones near us. And it always looks like the pic above - as if a bomb exploded on nearly every aisle.

Another way too look at it - TJ Maxx - proof positive that Entropy exists!

[KoKo]

11. Low Fat Macadamia/Chocolate covered Biscotti is to die for....

Low Fat...but delicious! Also some spices, balsamic vinegar and olive oil...with current dates verified that cost much more in Whole Foods or Gourmet Grocery stores. Cheap and lasts a long time...and just as good.

[KoKo]

13. TJ MAXX/MARSHALLS has always seemed to have policy to hire

immigrants and disadvantaged. In my TJ Maxx there are folks who've been their over 15 years...and they are not the brightest folks I've encountered but they seem to like working there and TJX/MARSHALLS promote the people I've seen through the years from Stocker to Cashier to backroom Bookeeping and Inventory Specialists. I'm sure the salary is low..and maybe they don't get many perks...but so many have been there for years...I've got to figure there something worthwhile in them staying since both stores are so chaotic.

My daughter just out of highschool got a great Summer Job there...and it was total minimum wage guarenteed with lunch break and straight hours. That was years ago..but they seemed to strictly abide by good labor laws at that time.

[KoKo]

9. Ahhhh...TJ MAXX and MARSHALLS...the stores that if you "Check in" you "Never Leave."

"Welcome to the Hotel California!"

Been a shopper at both their stores for decades. I hear the "Top Brand Stores" like "Saks" are selling out all their stuff that didn't sell to TJX Stores.

"Their Trash (on the high end) is our "TREASURE."

I think they will survive. Just saying as a shopper for so long for bargains at their stores. :shrug:

[Occam Bandage]

12. God this was funny.

Might want to add the link, though.

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/difficult_to_tell_if_t_j_maxx_hit

[AlCzervik]

16. Lol. The Onion should go to Ross's, you need a shot of Jack and a valium before you go there.

i love that place.

[flvegan]

17. That was pretty damn funny.

Though TJ Maxx, Ross and Marshalls can be great for getting name brand stuff on the cheap.