The Best Time to Shop T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Comes Down to One Letter

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are two spots I always hit when I’m hunting for deals on decor and furniture. In the past, I’ve shared the pieces I always shop for at each store. And I’m always curious about what designers and tastemakers are buying there, too, both online and in real life. And you know I love a good gift from T.J. Maxx or Marshalls as well —  just think of all of those August and September birthdays coming up — and the back to school shopping you might be doing soon. 

Timing can be everything when you shop at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, though, especially if you’re looking for the best selection of goods at the lowest possible prices. That’s why as this July comes to a close (where has the summer gone?), I wanted to remind you of my best-ever tip for shopping at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls — it’s called the “J” rule. The premise is simple: Always visit (and shop!) T.J. Maxx and Marshalls as much as you can during two of the months that start with the letter “J” — January and July. The good news? You have one day of July left, and the marked-down racks (and online clearance selections) aren’t going to disappear overnight (but you have to hurry because that time is coming).

I spent some time with the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls teams picking their brains on shopping tips, and they told me the brands do their biggest markdowns in these “J months” because of where they fall in the cycle of the year. January marks the beginning of spring merch drops, so stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls tend to deeply discount winter gear and holiday decor at this time to make space for new arrivals. Similarly, July marks the middle of summer and when fall inventory is on the horizon. Retailers tend to sharply reduce the prices of seasonal items not selling further at this time, too. 

What does this mean for shoppers? Right now is the best time to buy things like beach umbrellas, outdoor rugs, melamine dishes and glasses, beach towels, and lightweight bedding. Other categories of items are definitely available, too, including lighting, furniture, and decorative accessories. 

A quick note on those clearance price tags you see in stores: The first markdowns at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls always bear a red clearance tag. If you spot the color yellow, that’s something that’s really going to have its price slashed, since it’ll typically be a final markdown. 

Look for the yellow tags for the best clearance deals. This has been a game-changer for me in deciding when to snag something, especially if there are large quantities of an item left, and the tag is still red. If you see several yellows on top of reds, though, grab the item before it’s gone; it isn’t likely to get reduced more.

You should head to a local store to take advantage of the “J” rule right now, because it won’t be relevant again until January. And if you want to shop around the clock, you can always take a peek at the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls online clearance sections.

You can shop by price and category online, which is a huge time-saver. (And note that the “J” rule is applicable to other brands in the T.J. Maxx family, including HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra Trading Post).

I also pulled some of the best “J” rule deals I could find for home decor right now. Hope something in this mix speaks to you — because the prices are right!