TJMaxx and Marshalls are like magic stores to me.  Every time I walk in, it’s a different store.  The magic lies within the merchandise.  It’s always new.  It’s always in-style.  And it’s always at affordable prices.  How do they do that?  How can style (true designer style) be so affordable?

I had the pleasure to chat with Sonya Cosentini, Media Relations Manager/T.J. Maxx Spokesperson at TJMaxx/Marshalls about the uniqueness behind TJMaxx and Marshalls and how TJX is and continues to be such an amazing and popular off-price shopping destination for moms.

Q.  Sonya, can you tell me how the buying system works at TJMaxx and Marshalls?  It’s fascinating to me.

We have 100’s of buyers who are actually in the market talking to designers and vendors 40 weeks out of the year.   The difference for us is that we don’t buy seasonally.  Our buyers’ frequent market trips allow them to buy closer to need.   We receive more than 10,000 new items each week in our stores.  We can be flexible in our buying because we’re able to see what is trending.

Q.  Which brings me to my next question… how are you able to always be stocked with the latest styles and trends?

We have trending meetings and we are able to determine what will be trending for a season months in advance.  We also have the ability to buy product up to 2 weeks before you see it in the stores, so we can make sure what’s in-trend is in the stores.  If we see that jeggings are hot (which they are!), we have the ability to buy them in advance.

Q.   What are some of your favorite Back-to-School trends this season?

I love that the inspiration for Fall is about miniaturizing the trends from the “big brothers and sisters” for the littler kids.  For boys, like your sons, layering is always a great trend for Back-to-School.  Parents don’t have to spend their whole Back-to-School budget.  You can buy a hoodie and kids wear it over a graphic print tee from the summer.  They can also layer tees under flannels and wear over them, too.  I love that parents can buy pieces to layer that can be worn throughout the whole school season.  For girls, jeggings are great because you can pair with longer tops and tunics.  They’re also great with plaid prints.  Even pair with a ruffle mini skirt.  What’s even better, they can wear jeggings with flip flops and/or ballets flats now and then and going into the winter, add boots.

Q.  How do you personally shop TJMaxx and/or Marshalls?

When shopping at off-price retailers like TJMaxx and Marshalls, you have to an open mind.   The best part is that you’re going to look for something you weren’t exactly looking for.  If you’re going in for a pair of shoes, it’s fun and exciting because you don’t know what you’re going to find.  I suggest shopping with an event in mind or a particular category.  For example, you’re going to a cocktail party.  You’re looking for something dressy.  If you head in looking for a skirt, you know you’re heading directly to the skirts.  If you do feel like you’re someone who may get overwhelmed, I recommend starting your shopping on the outside of the departments.  These are styled by designers and you can see the different styles and the variety of sizes.  This will help ease you into the other areas.   Head to your size, have fun and keep an open-mind! 🙂