T.J. Maxx & Marshalls Holiday Blogger Event

A couple of weeks ago I was able to attend the fabulous T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Holiday Blogger Event at their home office near Boston Massachusetts. While it was soooo much colder than I had planned or packed on I learned so much about both brands and made some amazing friends. One of the things that I enjoyed was that this event was not just Mom Bloggers. You had personal style bloggers, fashion bloggers, deal bloggers, review and giveaway bloggers, and more. They really tried to include as many different niches that they could. The most important thing I could share with you is this. The Off Price Model:

More than 95 percent of T.J.Maxx merchandise is first quality. Less than 5 percent of the items available are slightly irregular, usually unnoticeable to customers. These pieces provide a tremendous opportunity for customers to receive additional savings and value. All irregular merchandise is clearly identified on the price tag.

In English that means that the big misconception that “Off-Price” means clothes that are irregular or have defects is NOT TRUE. However they do NOT offer coupons or sales. They do have a clearance 2 times a year in Jan. and in July for seasonal merchandise, but they offer the lowest price without coupons or sales needed. So while you are Black Friday shopping I wouldn’t hit either store first, but I’d make sure to add both stores to my list.

There are also quite a few other new and exciting things that make your local TJ Maxx and Marshalls different from just a regular department stores.Check out all the cool, fun, and exciting things coming to a local store near you:

The Runway at Maxx
The Runway at Maxx is an in-store ‘designer boutique’ featuring the same premium designer clothing and accessories seen at high-end fashion shows worldwide – all at prices up to 60 percent less. With new items arriving every week, shoppers will find an ever-changing assortment of couture from the most exclusive fashion houses of Europe and from America’s most famed designers

I absolutely LOVED this concept. I’m a Fashion Voyeur and while I don’t wear most of the hot fashions out right now I love to get up close and personal with them. The Runway at Maxx gives you that option and brings you GREAT prices.

Marshalls Shoe MegaShop
Most Marshalls stores now feature the new Marshalls Shoe MegaShop, offering thousands of the season’s up-to-the-minute looks in dress, casual and athletic shoes for the whole family. The Shoe MegaShop has a new, easy-to-shop, format where customers shop by style rather than size by finding their appropriate size in the boxes below the display shoe. The Shoe MegaShop is being added to stores around the country and is found in all newly-opened Marshalls.

I LOVE cute shoes. Although I can’t wear a heel long this was my favorite part of the Marshalls store. I even bought me an awesome pair of black winter boots for $29.99!

The CUBE
By the end of 2010, more than 600 Marshalls stores will feature the CUBE: a new, high-energy juniors department. Intended for young women who are looking for trendy, yet sophisticated styles, this ‘boutique within a store,’ presents the hot trends from all the departments in the store, including apparel, shoes, handbags and jewelry, making it easy-to-shop and accessorize. The CUBE presents a stylish look and feel, with a color scheme, music and lighting unique from the rest of the store. Rather than being arranged by size, apparel in the CUBE is organized by style, so shoppers can find what they’re looking for and create a stylish, head-to-toe outfit more easily.

A fun and interactive section of the store with great music to engage the younger crowd. Although I’m 28 and was drawn to the scarf section.

Overall I had a great couple of days. I learned a lot about Off Price, and TJ Maxx & Marshalls as a whole. I had great food, some cocktails and got to hang out with my fellow bloggers. What could be more fun? Want to check out some other bloggers? Here is everyone that went to the event:

• Tessa from 2 Wired 2 Tired
• Karen from 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires
• Chad from Lemondrop
• Tiff from Babes and Kids Reviews
• Emilie from Baby Loving Mama
• Becca from Black Eiffel
• Kat from Corporette
• Tara from Deal Seeking Mom
• Danny from Examiner.com
• Lauren from Glam
• Jazzi from http://www.jazzimcg.com/blog/
• Jessica from Lovelyish
• Jennifer from Momspotted
• Deanna from Mommy Gaga
• Barbara from Shoe Blog
• Crystal from Simply Being Mommy
• Terrence from The Blay Report
• Rebecca from The Clothes Horse
• Sharon from The Legacy of Home
• Beth from The Stories of A to Z
• Laurie from Tip Junkie

***Disclosure T.J.Maxx and Marshalls provided transportation, hotel, and gift cards for the event***