Who hasn’t whiled away a good portion of the day wandering the aisles of T.J. Maxx or Marshalls, hunting for that unexpected find?
You may enter looking for one particular thing and leave with something entirely different, but there can — and perhaps should — be a bit of strategy behind the frenzy. Some products are absolute steals at discount retailers, while others are best left on the shelf.
Although discount department stores remain a major part of the U.S. retail landscape, their yearly sales have actually beengradually decreasingsince 2001, per Statista. In 2023, discount department store sales were a little over $102 billion, slightly down from $103.7 billion in 2022.
Still, Americans adore bargain-focused big-box stores. In fact, discount chains rank among the fastest-growing retailers in the country, according toresearch from the National Retail Federation. Retailers such as Five Below and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet grew by more than 15% from 2022 to 2023, outpacing names like Burlington and Grocery Outlet.
Here’s the catch: Shoppers are so intent on scoring a deal that they often don’t care about the rest of the service experience. Over 75% of those surveyed said they didn’t expect perks like buy-online-pick-up-in-store, free two-day shipping, customer reviews or an entertaining shopping environment — they primarily wanted low prices.
How Do Discount Stores Source Their Goods?
Given America’s appetite for bargain merchandise, it’s fair to wonder: Where do retailers such as Ross and T.J. Maxx find all the items on their shelves? You might assume most of it is leftover from department stores, but the reality is more complex. These retailers use a patchwork of tactics to secure large quantities of inexpensive goods.
That strategy often includes buying excess inventory from department stores and specialty retailers, which amounted to more than $112 billion in May 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. When manufacturers overproduce, have orders canceled, or redesign products, discount stores can snap up bargains, as CNN reported. Some big retailers and makers even host liquidation marketplaces where discount buyers bid on surplus merchandise, per CNBC.
Items at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls aren’t always last season’s leftovers. TJX executives have noted that about 85% of the merchandise is current-season and only 5% is “irregular,” according toMental Floss. That’s partly due to flexibility: department stores often must purchase large runs of sizes and styles, whereas T.J. Maxx can buy in smaller batches week to week.
Which Items Are Worth Buying at Discount Stores?
So what’s truly worth picking up at discount outlets? Not everything is created equal. Beyond price, you should weigh quality and durability. You might score a dresser for cheap, but will it stand the test of time? Below are items we recommend buying at discount stores that often deliver decent longevity for a great price.
Need Extra Cash for Your Discount Store Haul?
Love bargain hunting but short on funds for your next trip? Here are some of our favorite ways to earn quick money.
Office Supplies
If you’re anything like us, you probably head straight to the back of T.J. Maxx or Marshalls hunting office supplies. You can never have too many pen holders.
But don’t just grab the cute stuff. Prioritize everyday essentials like Scotch tape and masking tape, experts advised U.S. News and World Report. The price may be lower, but check the quantity and compare sizes — make sure you’re getting the same amount for less.
Reading Glasses
Struggling to read the fine print? Discount stores are often a great place to pick up affordable reading glasses. You can typically find magnifications from +1.0 to +3.25 diopters, the usual prescription range.
Phone Cases
I can personally attest to buying phone cases at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls — they’re often indistinguishable from brand-name versions. A look at the store’s site showsphone case choicesfrom labels as luxe as Gucci and Bottega Veneta, priced between $24 and $134. In-store browsing usually reveals even cheaper options and more brands.
Pet Supplies
Stocking up for your furry friend? Discount retailers often have great pet sections. Blogger Krazy Coupon Lady (as noted in Business Insider) points out toys for as little as $2 and dog beds under $25. She even found some prices lower than Walmart’s. Online listings show cat scratchers, chew toys and pet gates at competitive rates.
Towels
Who doesn’t want to refresh their towel lineup? At T.J. Maxx, you canfind towel setsfrom brands like Vera Wang, Laina and Brooks Brothers for about $29.99 to $39.99.The Budget Baberecommends hunting for Egyptian cotton there — it tends to be the best deal.
Storage Containers
When you’re organizing winter sweaters or old paperwork and dread seeing one more plastic bin, discount stores are ideal for decorative baskets and storage solutions that look good and keep things tidy. We like this$24.99 two-tone resin basket.
Pillows
Beyond towels, The Budget Babe swears by buying pillows at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. You can often find a quality pair for around $20. Whether you want decorative throw pillows or extras for guests, you’ll likely find something affordable.
Frames
Picture frames are an easy and inexpensive way to display art or family photos, but they can be costly at other stores. Buying frames at a discount retailer lets you snag a nice piece without paying full retail.Online framescan start as low as $7.99.
Clothes Hangers
We’ve all been there: you buy a new outfit and have nowhere suitable to hang it. At Marshalls or T.J. Maxx, you’ll find attractive—and gentler on garments—velvet hangers at low prices, notes The Budget Babe. A better product for less? Yes, please.
Notebooks
For stationery lovers and office-supply addicts, discount stores offer cute and affordable notebooks. The selection and prices are often pleasantly surprising.
5 Ways to Help Fund Those Purchases
1. Earn Up to $1,000/Month Doing Simple Online Tasks
Is easy money real? If you’re comfortable online, it can be.
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Finding these opportunities on your own takes time. Freecash aggregates short tasks from multiple advertisers and market-research firms seeking more insight. Freecash reports over $13 million paid out to users since 2019.
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Signing up for Freecash is straightforward and there’s no minimum to cash out. With enough time, some users report earning over $1,000 monthly.
Sign up here to explore potential earnings.
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Want to pay less for auto insurance? Spend five minutes with Insurify to compare options and see possible savings.
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If we suggested you could make money watching videos, you might be skeptical — but it’s possible.
InboxDollars offers a chance to earn money by completing short surveys and watching videos. Users can potentially add up to $225 a month doing this.
While it won’t replace a full-time job, it’s an easy way to earn something while relaxing on the couch tonight.
InboxDollars pays in cash (not points), and has already paid users more than $56 million.
Signing up takes about a minute, and you’ll get a $5 welcome bonus.
4. Make Up to $1,000 Trying Apps
Smartphones are excellent time-fillers — why not get paid for the time you already spend on them? With KashKick, you can earn by answering surveys, downloading apps, or trying games — potentially up to $1,000 in your first month.
Surveys are the primary income source, but playing games and trying new services can also earn money.
After earning $10, you can cash out via PayPal. It’s a simple way to make pocket money using your phone or computer.
Signing up takes one minute and you’ll earn $1 for completing your profile right away.
5. This Free Debit Account Gives Cash Back on Every Purchase
Bottom line: if you aren’t getting cash back on purchases, you’re missing out. Cash back is great.
The Discover® Cashback Debit account pays 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in monthly debit card spending (potentially up to $360 annually).* There’s no credit check required and no minimum balance.
Use the card for groceries and earn cash back. Early Pay direct deposit can get your paycheck sooner, help prevent overdrafts, and give access to more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs. The app manages banking and links with digital wallets like Apple Pay to boost rewards. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to legal limits.
Does your bank offer that? If not, consider opening a free Discover checking account to start getting money back on purchases.
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What to Avoid Buying at Discount Stores
Heavy-Duty Furniture
Fans of HomeGoods may not want to hear this, but experts advise against buying heavy furniture like dressers or nightstands at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Some pieces arrive because they didn’t meet quality checks or failed inspections, USA Today’sReviewednotes.
Kitchen Tools
The kitchen aisle is tempting and full of items your kitchen might be missing. But cheap price tags can hide poor performance: while you don’t need top-tier utensils, you also don’t want ones that fall apart. Since you’ll use many kitchen tools frequently, investing a bit more can be worthwhile.
Yoga Mats
There may be plenty of attractive yoga mats, but resist the urge. If you practice yoga regularly, you’ll want a mat built for durability. According to USA Today’sReviewed, T.J. Maxx’s mats are often too flimsy for regular use.
Bed Sheets
While towels are a smart buy at discount stores, bed sheets are a different story. If you prefer sheets in natural fibers like cotton or linen, you likely won’t find the best options at T.J. Maxx, Business Insider reports. Name-brand sheets may look like bargains but often lack the longevity you want.
Swimwear
The merchandise at discount retailers often looks great, but appearance doesn’t guarantee durability. As The List explains, swimsuits need sturdy materials to withstand sun, chlorine and sand; it may be worth paying full price for a suit that lasts.
Beauty Products
The beauty aisles can be alluring — how do they carry MAC limited editions or Lancome mascaras? But there’s often uncertainty about who handled those items and where they originated. As USA Today’s Reviewed points out, some products might have been used as samples by previous customers. Do you want to apply makeup that may already have been swatched?
Contributor Anna Morales writes about consumer habits and resale marketplaces for Savinly, and her work has appeared in lifestyle and finance outlets.
