Breakfast at T. J. Maxx

Yesterday morning I attended T. J. Maxx’s Buyer for a Day at the store in Flatiron.



Over breakfast, Alison Deyette talked to us about what buyers do at Marshalls and
T. J. Maxx, and how they’re different from buyers for other stores. She also showed us some fall trends buyers are currently picking up– keep an eye out for boots of all kinds, statement necklaces, and sweater dresses in unexpected shapes.
Alison Deyette shows us some fall trends.
We learned about how Marshalls and T. J. Maxx work directly with designers to stock current, in-season merchandise at up to 60% off. Buyers for Marshalls and T. J. Maxx stores buy an astonishing 40 weeks of the year, not just at times when seasonal collections become available. I also never knew that by working directly with designers, buyers are able to obtain colors sold exclusively at Marshalls and T. J. Maxx stores.

We also covered the principles of Fashion-Quality-Brand-Price. Buyers use these principles to provide on trend, first quality merchandise from brands customers know at up to 60% savings vs. department stores.


After breakfast we were given a buying challenge. Lydia and I were buyers for a great department– shoes! We were tasked with picking five items that we thought best represented Fashion-Quality-Brand-Price.

We chose popular trends like the smoking slipper and shoetie.

There are actually more than 40 different buying departments. Other departments represented in the challenge included handbags, accessories, womenswear, menswear, and home.

It was so interesting to see what everyone chose. Womenswear pulled an amazing Theory jacket and the Ralph Lauren bedding was only $50.

The morning went by so quickly! I learned a lot of new things about Marshalls and T. J. Maxx. I’m so glad I was able attend this event.

I spent the afternoon with Lydia, doing our normal eating and shopping routine.

Lydia caught me in a really funny pose.

I don’t know. I feel weird whenever someone else photographs me.

Lydia’s wearing an AK shirt from T. J. Maxx, Talbots skirt, belt from T. J. Maxx, vintage Coach bag, and… shoes I forget. She also had her London Fog trench. And I’m wearing my T by Alexander Wang jacket, vintage Betsey Johnson dress, Forever 21 belt, and Target boots.

Comments

  1. says

    Wow, that sounds like such a fun event! I love the shoes you picked out for the challenge, especially the leopard shoeties. Also, are your boots from Target this season? If so, I might have to go pick them up. They’re so rock ‘n’ roll meets motorcycle chick. Love it.

    • says

      My Target boots are not current season, but they appear to still be carrying them. Probably because they were so popular last fall. They’re definitely online but you could call your local Target and see if you can get them right away! http://www.target.com/p/Women-s-Xhilaration-Karima-Genuine-Leather-Boots-Black/-/A-12334624

  2. says

    Love your vintage Betsey Johnson dress- super cute!  Sounds like the event was fun and informational!  I’ll definitely have to check out that TJ Maxx soon, especially considering it’s like around the corner from my work :)