Last month I went on an adventure I wish I could have taken years ago. I spent the morning at a Los Angeles area Marshalls with a handful of local bloggers, two delightful gals from Marshalls (Emily and Thea), and Alison Deyette. I was familiar with Marshalls but only as a discount store, not an Off-Price retailer. I learned more about savvy shopping in a few hours at Marshalls than in my previous forty plus years of shopping.
Marshalls is the second largest Off-Price family apparel & home fashion retailer in the United States. Its sister company TJ Maxx is number one. Alison Deyette (TV Host, Stylist, Lifestyle Expert) shared with us how the merchandise buyers for Marshalls are out and about buying 40 weeks out of the year whereas major department store buyers are only out 4-6 times a year. Each Marshalls store receives 10,000 items a week. Quite often these items were purchased from the designer only 2-3 weeks before they are on the rack in the stores! These are the very same clothes that are in the major expensive department stores but at a fraction of the price.
The above outfits are identical but one will cost you $350 more than the other. The difference? One is from a department store and the other is from Marshalls.
Floral Cardigan: $99 compared to $34.99
Tank Top: $29 compared to $12.99
J Brand Jeans: $158 compared to $79.99
Michael Kors Gold Clutch: $198 compared to $79
Hand Bag: $248 compared to 129.99
Scarf: $38 compared to $79
Every price tag lists the regular price, Marshalls price, AND if the item is from last season.
Alison has even found a larger variety of styles and colors at Marshalls than at some department stores.
Marshalls is divided into sections with the CUBE being junior oriented for teens.
There are thousands of shoes to meet just about everyone’s fancy.
And my weakness…handbags!
Brand name Bath & Body
Kitchen
Entertaining & Dining
Halloween…another of my weaknesses!
Thanksgiving
Bed and Bath
Specialty food items
So…why is Off-Price a better way to shop?
Marshalls offers the same merchandise most often for more than 50% off major department stores. And remember…the merchandise is NOT last season’s left overs…it’s the same merchandise at the same time! Marshalls prices are low all the time. No need to wait for a sale…just shop Off-Price at Marshalls and get “sale prices” everyday!
I attended an exciting and educational event at Marshalls in the Los Angeles area. I was treated to breakfast, delightful conservation and a tour of the store. I also received thank you gifts of a gorgeous cashmere scarf and a Marshalls/TJ Maxx gift card.
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