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Marshalls Mania: Behind the Seams

Weeks ago, I mentioned that Greg and I took a trip to Marshalls to do some Mother’s Day shopping for myself. With $50 to spend (courtesy of Marshalls), I chose…

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a cutting board ($7.99), marble rolling pin ($9.99), salt and pepper shaker set ($5.99), and a fresh pod for onions ($2.99), all of which will come in handy in the new and improved kitchen I’m working on :).

Oh and Greg chose a little something for me, buuut I’m not gonna air that here. It’s by Jessica Simpson, it’s purple, and ruffly. That’s all I’m sayin’ *looks down*.

Moving on…

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Two weeks ago, I attended the Behind the Seams Event for Marshalls and T.J.Maxx in Berwin, IL. We were given the skinny on Marshalls and T.J.Maxx by style expert and TV correspondent, Alison Deyette.

I learned that…

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls run the off price merchandising game. They have the highest buying power with over 1800 stores nationwide. Their buyers travel the world 40 weeks a year to meet with thousands of vendors and designers to buy inventory at 20-60% off retail.

Marshalls and T.J.Maxx do not buy factory second, although I would still shop there if they did. They do buy up what department stores don’t buy from the designers. They also buy what departments stores are unable to get sold. In some cases, a designer will design articles of clothing in a certain fabric and a department store will chose not to carry that specific fabric. This is where Marshalls and T.J.Maxx come in and purchase those unwanted fabrics. Since department stores have to sell unsold merchandise back to the designers, Marshalls and T.J.Maxx offer to intervene and purchase this merchandise as well. Marshalls and T.J.Maxx don’t sell their unsold merchandise back to designers. They continue carrying merchandise until they are completely cycled out of their stores.

By doing this, Marshalls and T.J.Maxx are able to supply 10,000 pieces of in season merchandise every week. So whenever you visit a Marshalls or T.J.Maxx, you are sure to find something probably completely random, yet fabulous, at a fraction of its retail price.

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After Alison’s lesson, she took us on a tour of the store. She then, gifted us with a gift bag with a super cute makeup bag set and lipstick. In the bottom of the bag was a $100 Marshalls/T.J. Maxx gift card! We were then set free to shop. We had the whole Marshalls store to ourselves!

I swore that I would only buy for myself, but the first thing I grabbed? A Rocawear polo onesie for Jayden. We are past onesies, but this one was too cute to keep on the rack.

Rocawear Polo Onesie: Retail $15 - Paid $3.99
Retail: $15 Paid: $3.99

I then hit the juniors section and found these three tops. I’m currently adding ruffles to my wardrobe because they are very feminine and compliment my slim figure. I’m also digging the layered look, so shrugs are making their way into my closet as well.

3/4 Sleeve Retro Top: Retail 12.00 - Paid $7.99
Retail: $12.00 Paid: $7.99

Ruffle Top: Retail $26 - Paid $12.99
Retail: $26.00 Paid: $12.99

Lightweight Long Shrug: Retail $24.00 - Paid $14.99
Retail: $24.00 Paid: $14.99

I also grabbed this very mature, but age appropriate Liz Clairborne Axcess handbag from a random display. I’m in limbo between grown and sexy and teen. I have alot of canvas and corduroy bags. It’s time I got a big girl bag.

Axcess Purse: Retail $48.00 - Paid $16.99
Retail: $48.00 Paid: $16.99

I really enjoyed myself at the event, although I was still in a sleepy fog. In order to arrive on time, I had to wake up at 4 a.m. I think I should get brand loyalty points ;). Thank you Marshalls and T.J.Maxx for a wonderful learning and shopping experience.

Don’t judge me for this tardy post. Things around here are getting rough. We need a vacay!

Attendee list.

Stephanie

Friday 28th of May 2010

Those are some smokin' prices - and I bet that yellow shirt looks wonderful on you!

Justice Fergie

Wednesday 26th of May 2010

I'm lovin' the marble rolling pin and the S&P shakers! Looks like the event was big fun.

K. Rock

Tuesday 25th of May 2010

What a great opportinity. I lub lub lub Marshalls and TJ Maxx (and Ross too). I can always get nice dresses there.

Goody

Tuesday 25th of May 2010

nice meeting you, wish we would have gotten a chance to yap more..

it was a fun event and i love the bag you got.

and thanks for putting that list of attendees together!

1stopmom

Monday 24th of May 2010

The onsie is too cute, I need to grab one for my nephew. I am loving the yellow top as well. That is so interesting about the whole setup they have for buying products. I did not know that

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