How to shop TJ Maxx & Marshalls Yellow Tag Sales

Some of my favorite places to shop for myself and things around the house are TJ Maxx, Marshalls, & HomeGoods. These stores sell clothes, household items, and more at discounted prices, which makes them great places to source items for resale. Did you know that you can get even better deals with clearance and sales items? This post is all about how to get the best deals during TJ Maxx and Marshalls yellow tag sales.

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Are TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods the same thing?

The TJX Companies, Inc. owns TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra. The company also owns Winners in Canada.

TJ Maxx and Marshalls are alike in that they sell similar categories of items such as women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, kitchenware, bath and bedding supplies, makeup, and jewelry. There are differences between stores depending on location, store size, and other factors.

For example, some stores are Runway stores, which means they have high-end designer items. Other stores that have more space will understandably have larger departments with more items to sell.

What do yellow tags mean at TJ Maxx and Marshalls?

Yellow tags (price stickers) mean that the item is at its final clearance price. The price is as low as it’s going to go. The store is eager to sell the item. You may be able to find desirable items for a few dollars or even less!

Yellow tags are present throughout the year as items are marked down, but they tend to have lots of yellow tag items during their big semi-annual sales.

How to shop yellow tag sales

1 | Mark your calendars for January and July

The big yellow tag sales happen twice a year sometime in January and July when stores want to clear out their inventory to make room for new items. The dates of the sales are not the same each year and may not even be the same between stores.

The sales tend to go on for several weeks as inventory is sold, even carrying on into February and August, so the end dates are not set in stone either.

When the sales start, you’ll want to be there to check out what’s been discounted and if any items are worth picking up. Then you’ll want to go back frequently to see if the items have been marked down any further, so you can pick things up for even less.

The first yellow tag is not always the last yellow tag. Although yellow tags mean final clearance, stores can still slap a new yellow sticker with an even lower price over an older yellow sticker.

This tends to happen as the sale continues. The prices will drop even further because they want the goods sold.

The only issue with waiting for markdowns is that sometimes the good stuff sells before you can get it at the price you want. If you’re purchasing items for yourself and you like the prices, there’s no question you should purchase them because you’re the one wearing or using them.

If you’re purchasing things to resell, then you have to be mindful of how much you can sell the item for because you still want to make a decent profit.

How do you know when a yellow tag sale will happen?

Visit TJ Maxx and Marshalls regularly - Be sure to visit at the beginning of January and July. You might be able to tell that a sale is coming because employees will shift clearance items around the store. They may aggregate all the sale items to one central location in a department or store rather than the ends of many different racks.

The red and yellow tag price stickers may also be piled on top of one another meaning the prices are dropping lower and lower.

Check social media - If you’re a reseller or even just a fashionista wanting a good bargain, keep an eye on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

I follow other resellers on Instagram and am a part of several Facebook groups for thrift shopping and reselling.

You’ll see people posting about the sales and their finds the minute the sales start. You can also follow the companies or hashtags related to the companies and their sales. This is a great way to know about sales or prepare for one that’s starting soon in your area without having to visit your local stores regularly.

You might be tempted to ask sales associates when a sale will start. They likely won’t give you the answer. They may not know when the sale will start because it’s up to those higher up, or they may not be able to tell you.

2 | Look all over the stores

Look all over the store for yellow tags, even in areas that are not marked clearance. Stores get busy and messy during sale times, so clearance and non-clearance items get mixed up.

Shoppers put things back on any rack or shelf too, which adds to the mix-up. You’ll sometimes be able to find more yellow tag items in places you didn’t expect.

3 | Check out different stores

Not all TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores are the same. Some may have a ton of one brand or item while another store does not. If you’re lucky enough to have several of these stores near you, pay them each a visit to see what you can find.

4 | Ask for price checks of duplicate items

Sometimes you’ll find that two of the same item are marked at different prices. That usually happens when one was accidentally missed for marking down. If you want both of the items, you’ll want them at the lower price.

First make sure that the items are exactly the same. They should have the same item number on the price tag. If they have any difference, even something small like a color difference, they may not be priced the same.

But if they are the same item, ask the sales associate to check the price or match the lower one.

5 | Check inventory and prices online

It’s important to check what’s available online and their prices before buying. Some of the same items you’re interested in purchasing may be at nearly every TJ Maxx or Marshalls across the US or available online.

You may find a Free People dress that you think will sell well, only to find that every other reseller has purchased it for resale too. I can’t tell you how many of the same Rae Dunn cups and jars I’ve seen in Marshalls up for resale on Mercari.

Too many of the same item is going to drive down the resale price. It may not matter if the item is something that you can use yourself if it doesn’t sell. But if it’s a high-priced item, you may want to research the item to ensure it’s worth reselling.

6 | Shop TJ Maxx and Marshalls online

Did you know that TJ Maxx and Marshalls have websites with clearance sections? You can find many of the same items that you see in stores on their websites. This is helpful if you don’t have the time or inclination to leave the house and dig through racks for yellow tag items.

Sign up for TJ Maxx and Marshalls email lists to receive benefits such as free shipping. You can also find codes for free shipping on their websites when you spend above a certain amount.

7 | Ask for a discount when appropriate

You may find goods that are damaged or opened. It may be that the store received it that way, or the item was overly handled by customers. I’ve seen makeup containers open, folded and torn stationery, and photo frames with scratches.

You can ask a sales associate or manager if they will discount the item further. They may take off only a small amount depending on what they’re allowed to do. When I’ve asked about damaged items in the past, I’ve had a dollar or two taken off the sale price, so not much at all.

Be prepared that they may say no too. Then you’ll have to decide if the item is still worth the price on the tag.

8 | Shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

I once asked a sales associate when they get new items because sometimes the store is packed full of good stuff and other times it’s cleared out. She told me that they get new inventory on Tuesdays.

So you’ll want to shop around Tuesdays because goods will be marked down further as new items are being put out for sale. I know it’s not always possible with work, children, and other obligations, but if you’re available during the week, it’s a good time to go. The best sale items may be gone by the weekend.

9 | Consider getting a TJX Rewards credit card

If you shop at TJX stores frequently, it may be worth getting a credit card to use at their stores. You receive 10% of your first purchase when you open an account, 5% back in Rewards when you shop, and exclusive shopping invites.

I’ve seen sellers post their shopping receipts showing hundreds of dollars in savings because they bought clearance items on top of using their rewards earned from being a credit card holder. It’s amazing!

Frequently asked questions

1) Is it safe to buy makeup at TJ Maxx or Marshalls?

Yes, it’s safe to buy makeup at TJ Maxx or Marshalls, but you should check that packaging is sealed and the item looks new and clean. Check also if the item has an expiration date. Don’t purchase something if the package is open or anything looks off about it.

2) Is it safe to buy food at TJ Maxx or Marshalls?

Yes, it’s safe to buy food from TJ Maxx and Marshalls. You can find lots of delicious snacks and treats there. Check that the food is in sealed packaging and has not expired, but know that stores are not allowed to sell expired food.

3) Is it safe to buy skincare and shampoo products at TJ Maxx or Marshalls?

Yes, it’s safe to buy skincare and shampoo products at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. I’ve bought products from Clinique, Oil of Olay, Shiseido, Milk Day, and other brands there. The products were lower than retail and worked well. Check that the bottles are closed and clean (no leaks).

4) Does TJ Maxx sell fakes?

TJ Maxx is known for selling genuine items. TJ Maxx obtains its goods legitimately from overstock closeouts and made-to-order deals. Selling fake or counterfeit items is illegal and unexpected from a reputable store.