Table of Content
- As the emphasis here is on the bargain, there is less of a focus on the actual shopping experience.
- Ross Stores Dress For Less
- Convenient Store Hours
- Last minute gifts at check off your list prices!
- Share Your Ross Finds.
- There was a lot of variety in the kids' section of the store, and it was easy to shop.
Ross Stores has a tighter handle on inventory levels than department stores, meaning fewer markdowns and new items hitting stores more frequently. At the front of the store, signs gently reminded shoppers not to open packages. It's instantly apparent that this is not going to be a high-end shopping experience. Consumers are hungry for bargains, and discount retailers are booming. Introduced in 1992, HomeGoods operates across the U.S. including Puerto Rico. This chain has both a standalone and superstore format, which couples HomeGoods with a T.J.
HomeGoods also operates an e-commerce site, homegoods.com, which launched in 2021. We came across a section of clothing that was specific to that location. It felt very similar to any full-price store, except designer products cost significantly less here. In the shoe section, we found that brands were often clustered together. Children's clothing was divided into styles, such as sets, dresses, and trousers. As the emphasis here is on the bargain, there is less of a focus on the actual shopping experience.
As the emphasis here is on the bargain, there is less of a focus on the actual shopping experience.
The two chains sell well-known brands at 20-60% off full prices and offer customers a bargain-hunt shopping experience. Find an eclectic selection of home fashions from around the world, all at amazing prices. HomeGoods offers an ever-changing mix of merchandise, including furniture, rugs, lighting, soft home, decorative accessories, tabletop, cookware, and much more. The HomeGoods shopping experience complements its sister retail banner, Homesense, with expanded departments like pet, kids, and gourmet food. The most impressive part of the store was its shoe collection for men, women, and kids.
There was a good selection of well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Michael Kors. We spotted dozens of Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein products around the store. These companies have all said they are looking to scale back from the off-price channel to improve their brand image. TJ Maxx and Ross Stores are known for their "treasure hunt" shopping experience.
Ross Stores Dress For Less
The product selection is tailored to each store because an inventory-management system analyzes data to identify what customers in each location want most. The shoe section was less impressive than the one at Ross, but we came across a wide selection of the same styles. It felt less like a treasure hunt, as there were multiple pieces of the same style. The front of the store had a department-store-style layout with a curated selection of seasonal clothing. Ross proudly reminds its shoppers that this is a "treasure hunt."
In this section, we were reminded that this is still an off-price store. The beauty section at TJ Maxx had a better mix of well-known brands. And unlike at Ross, it didn't look as if they had already been opened and tested. This store was almost brand-new at the time of our visit — it opened in November 2017. Almost half of the store was dedicated to homewares and furniture. With both Ross Stores and TJ Maxx, it's all about shopping in the store.
Convenient Store Hours
While TJ Maxx has built out its online platform somewhat, Ross Stores has not — the only way to shop there is on foot. Here's how the shopping experience at TJ Maxx and Ross Stores compares. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.
That its same-store sales growth is better than TJ Maxx's is telling of the current climate in retail, as many customers prioritize price over everything else. The walk to the cashier is the last chance shoppers have to grab a bargain — and there's more than enough for the taking. TJ Maxx positioned some of its smaller items and grab-and-go produce here for customers making a speedy visit. As we headed to the cashier, we came across TJ Maxx's food section. Here, you could find anything from Himalayan sea salt to an expensive-looking jar of pickles. According to Bon Appetit, TJ Maxx stocks food items made especially for it, rather than selling overstock.
We came across a section of clothing that was specific to that location.
Our first stop was Ross Stores in Center City, Philadelphia. Ross, the largest off-price retailer in the US, has 1,412 locations in 38 states. Discount stores such as TJ Maxx and Ross Stores are known to be one of the few bright spots in retail. This location benefited from having a HomeGoods store connected to it. There was a lot of variety in the kids' section of the store, and it was easy to shop.
