20 Minutes in the life of a TjMaxx buyer

Yesterday I was invited to a Be the Buyer event at TJMaxx in New York City.
It was at 9 am, which meant getting up before sunrise to make the trip from Connecticut, but it was a worthwhile trip.

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Over breakfast in the store (while it was still open for regular customers) Alison Deyette went over how the buyers for TJMaxx and Marshalls work differently than buyers for all other stores.

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Every TJX buyer focuses on only one certain line, like just women's fashion, or shoes, or bedding and they travel 40 times a year all over the world to find the best deals on the things trending at that moment. When the TJX buyers find something they want for the stores, that item is on the shelf in two weeks; every thing in the stores is very current. And every store gets in a shipment of 10,000 new items each week. Which means I am completely justified when I want to go every week...

A lot of people I know seem to think that all the merchandise in TJMaxx is defective or past season, which is not true - TJMaxx is just able to negotiate with designers for all of their merchandise that the department stores didn't buy, and they can even get unique pieces, like certain styles done in different prints or colors. Since they don't have to promote the designers, they can keep the costs lower.

As for past season merchandise, it is there, but the tags are labeled as such, and those items are hardly out of style - in fact, I found a pair of my Steve Madden Inka boots there! Yes, they are last year's, but the color and style is far from out of fashion.

Then everyone was given a buyer challenge, we were paired off and given a department to shop in and we had to come up with five items that fit into the TJMaxx buyers code: Fashion, Quality, Brand, Price.

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I was partnered with Alex and we hit the shoe isles. I think I took this challenge far to seriously, scrutinizing every pair of shoes, and I tried to come up with only shoes that I would reasonably buy (sorry $300 pair of YSL pumps, you are still over my budget even at 20%-60% off).

Shoes!

After shopping, all the participants did a show and tell, which we all had a lot of fun with, and you could really see how many wonderful designers are there, and just how substantial the TJMaxx discounts were.

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The rest of the day was of course spent drinking coffee, eating and shopping. Thanks so much to TJMaxx for having me!

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The Rundown
Leopard Top Anne Klein via TJMaxx - Skirt Talbots - Sandals Onex - Station Bag Coach Thrifted - Belt TJMaxx - Ring TJMaxx - Earrings TJMaxx - Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
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Alex's Rundown
Jacket T by Alexander Wang - Dress Betsey Johnson Vintage - Belt Forever 21 - Boots Target
Alex and the too many colors

31 comments

  1. Oooooh so much fun!! That event sounds amazing :) Woah baby $300 YSL pumps XD *drools*
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  2. What a great day! It looks like it was so much fun! I'm glad you got to share your pictures! I'm so jealous you got to spend the day shopping!

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  3. That looks like so much fun! The leopard shoes in your cart are adorable!

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  4. That must have been SO fun! And look at all those glorious goodies!

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  5. This was really fascinating to read...and of course I am green with envy!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  6. We should go back to that wall for photos when it's not raining... of course then it may be snowing!

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  7. wow, this looks like so much fun! what a great opportunity!

    cute & little

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  8. ooooh what a cool experience and i love your outfit. xoxo

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  9. This looks like it was a fun event! I love the shoes that you and Alex grabbed- especially leopard ones!

    starcrossedsmile knits
    star-crossed smile

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  10. Oh Lyddie-gal, you lucky girl you. That must have been so much fun. What did you take home with you and did you get a super special discount too :-)

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  11. That seems like it would be such a neat opportunity. And you have really great style by the way.

    Alison
    The Book of Love

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  12. Wow! What a fun opportunity! I loveeee TK Maxx and I'll admit I get a wee bit stressed if I can't pop in once a week! My local store has been stocking some amazing hosiery of late, perfect for Winter!

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  13. I wish I were with you in all that shopping frenzy, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    Loving your animal print and purple.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  14. Both of you look adorable! :) and what fun it must be to shop like that!

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  15. That may be the coolest thing I have ever heard! So awesome!

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  16. That sounds like so much fun! I am loving the new TJMaxx commercials

    tiannamae.blogspot.com

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  17. how cool was that!!!
    i need that basket of shoes you picked out.
    brett

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  18. I learned so much from this post! And oh em gee, it looks like a lot of freaking fun!
    Happy Weekend!
    ♥ laura

    the blog of worldly delights

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  19. How fun! What great, thrifty looks you girls put together!

    Lethrift.blogspot.com
    lethrift.com

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  20. So cool! I love TJ Maxx and am a faithful customer. I like that I can usually find great shoes and purses, but also cool kitchen gear. I bought truffle butter once and it was one of the most amazing ingredients in my kitchen while it lasted!
    Thanks for sharing how the buyers at TJ Maxx bring in stuff. It was really interesting.

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  21. That sounds like a really fab store. I love the animal print top you´re wearing. :)

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  22. That sounds like the most amazing time. I would have loved to be included in that. Super excited that you were involved. You look great in that outfit, btw. The color of your skirt is so rich and beautiful.

    xo,
    Tracy

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  23. looks like fun but man oh man that early train ride must have been brutal.

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  24. Fun! This is such an interesting post--and what a perfect opportunity for them! They got lucky having you come and help! I love that plum skirt too....newest TJMaxx ad star?

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  25. Lyddie, that's awesome girl! I didn't know that about TJ Maxx! I haven't been to one in awhile and I must get back. I hear so many great things about them from other readers. Thanks so much for sharing your day and you ladies did a great job! :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  26. Such a fun event!! Love how you paired the leopard with the jewel-toned skirt!

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  27. OMG what an awesome event I wish I could have partaken!

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  28. After reading this post I can only tell you that you need to stop doubting your potential.

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