Skip to main content

Found a Name Brand at TJ Maxx? This Secret Code on the Tag Reveals What You’ve Actually Been Buying

If there’s one store I can never walk past without “just taking a quick look,” it’s TJ Maxx. I’ve been shopping there for years, and somehow I always leave with at least one bag of things I didn’t plan on buying. (Don’t even get me started on their discounted makeup aisle!)

But here’s the funny thing: Despite all the time I’ve spent wandering those aisles, digging through the racks and proudly showing off my latest bargains, I never once stopped to wonder what those strange little codes on the price tags actually meant. I’d glance at them, assume they were just random numbers and move on to the next great find. As it turns out, those mysterious markings aren’t random at all. TJ Maxx has been quietly hiding a secret language in plain sight, and chances are you’ve been overlooking it every time you shop.

Read on to discover the hidden codes that could completely change the way you hunt for deals at TJ Maxx.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more shopping news, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

Why does TJ Maxx have secret codes on its tags?

They’re there to help TJ Maxx track its inventory. But over the years, former employees and shopping experts have shared that some of those codes can also hint at where an item came from or what stage it’s in during the markdown process.

The fun part? TJ Maxx isn’t the only retailer with hidden tag secrets. Stores like Costco and Target also have little pricing clues that bargain hunters swear by.

What secret codes should you be on the lookout for? 

@amintips TJ Maxx secret price tag codes 🤯🛍️ #lifehacks #savemoney #shopping #tjmaxx #tjmaxxfinds ♬ original sound – Amin Tips


According to TJ Maxx fans, including Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Amin Shaykho (better known as @AminTips on TikTok for his shopping tips and everyday life hacks), the codes have specific meanings.

Here’s what the most talked-about codes represent:

  • 1: This means the item was made specifically for TJ Maxx or other TJX stores.
  • 2: This is the code bargain hunters get excited about. You’ll see it on the tags of discounted items that were originally sold through the brand itself.
  • 7: This typically refers to discontinued items or “packaway” merchandise—items held over from a previous season and brought back to sell later.

One important thing to know: TJ Maxx hasn’t publicly confirmed every meaning behind these numbers, so much of this information comes from former employees and experienced shoppers rather than official company guidance.

Hold on—do name brands make items exclusively for TJ Maxx?

Yes, sometimes they do, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Many of the recognizable brands you see at TJ Maxx are the real deal. They’re often overstock items, products from previous seasons, canceled orders or merchandise the original retailer simply needed to clear out. That’s why finding a “2” code is so exciting for deal hunters.

However, some brands also produce merchandise specifically for off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. These products are designed to hit a lower price point, so they may use different materials or fewer design details than versions sold at a department store or the brand’s own boutique. (I’m now officially questioning my recent Steve Madden bag purchase.)

Luckily, this doesn’t mean they’re poor quality—it just means they’re not always identical to the higher-priced version you might see elsewhere.

What other hidden tag components should you pay attention to?

The secret numbers aren’t the only clues hiding on TJ Maxx tags. Here are a few more details worth checking before you toss something into your cart:

Tag color

There are five colors to look out for before your next trip.

  • White tag: Regular TJ Maxx price.
  • Red sticker: The item has already been marked down once.
  • Yellow sticker: Final clearance—this is usually the lowest price an item will reach.
  • Purple tag: Premium designer merchandise from the Runway collection.
  • Blue tag: The item is part of a matching set.

The little boxed number

You’ll also notice a small number inside a black box on the tag. This typically indicates when the item entered the store’s inventory cycle. If it’s been hanging around for a while, it could be closer to another markdown.

Of course, none of these clues guarantee an even lower price is coming. But if you’re debating whether to buy now or wait, knowing how to read the tag can definitely give you a better idea of whether you’ve stumbled across a hidden gem—or whether it might be worth checking back later.

RELATED:

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

Costco Items That Even Fans Say to Skip

Say This to Get a Fresh Burger at McDonald's

Why Costco Milk Is Shaped Like That

The post Found a Name Brand at TJ Maxx? This Secret Code on the Tag Reveals What You’ve Actually Been Buying appeared first on Reader's Digest.



from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/rsGv9qx
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

41 of the Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Everyone wants everything they do on their computer to be fast. Their Internet connection, the speed they type, and how quickly they can save, open, and alter documents. These mac keyboard shortcuts can help you do just that. Try out these Mac hotkeys to make your browsing, typing, and viewing experiences a little more convenient. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that will make web browsing so much easier . Mac keyboard shortcuts allow you to do things on your computer that would typically require you to use a mouse, trackpad, or another device with a combination of the keys on your keyboard. To find the Mac shortcuts that are already set up on your device, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. From there you can look through the different mac keyboard shortcuts that are set up for your keyboard, launchpad and dock, Mission Control, Spotlight, and so on. To change an existing shortcut you can select the one you want to change, click on the key combination, and then ty...
Post a Comment
Read more

30 Math Puzzles (with Answers) to Test Your Smarts

Math is not everyone’s favorite, understandably. Hours of math homework and difficult equations can make anyone sour on the subject. But when math problems are outside of a school setting, there’s no time limit to do them, and they’ve got a fun, more whimsical concept than just finding x, they can be great activities for kids. (And adults, of course!) They test your brain and critical thinking skills, provide some constructive, educational fun,  and  provide tangible examples of math lessons you’ll actually use in real life . Math puzzles come in plenty of different varieties, too. Some more straightforward number puzzles do require calculations to find the solution. Others are more like logic puzzles and challenge you to look for a pattern. Still others present the puzzle through pictures, making them great for visual learners. From  Reader’s Digest ‘s “Mind Stretchers” books, these math puzzles have a bit of everything! If you’re more of a riddles person, we’ve got reg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Will Cicadas Destroy Your Garden? 10 Things You Need to Know

It’s easy to wince thinking about the mass emergence of insects like cicadas. Their numbers can reach millions per acre, creating a near-deafening buzzing chorus. So it’s understandable that questions like, “Will cicadas eat my plants?” immediately spring to mind. But cicadas are also pretty fascinating and play important roles in the ecosystem. “Cicadas inspire wonder in our world!” says Jennifer Hopwood, senior pollinator conservation specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “They spend most of their life underground next to the same plant roots. Somehow, these creatures are able to track the years that pass by and time their emergence with other periodical cicadas in the region to overwhelm predators. They are amazing little critters.” Here’s a rundown of what to know about cicadas, good and bad, including whether or not they eat plants and how to protect your trees during an emergence. Get Readers Digest s Read Up newsletter for more gardening, humor, cl...
Post a Comment
Read more