Our History

Our Company roots date back more than four decades. In 1976, Bernard (Ben) Cammarata, General Merchandising Manager of Marshalls at the time, was recruited by discount retailer, Zayre Corp.¹, to develop and spearhead the launch of a new off-price chain selling family apparel and home fashions. Under Mr. Cammarata’s leadership, T.J. Maxx was born, with its first stores opening in 1977. In the late 1980s, Zayre was restructured and spun off three of its brands — T.J. Maxx, Hit or Miss, and Chadwick’s of Boston — which served as the initial retail banners of what would become The TJX Companies, Inc.

TJX has continued to grow steadily over the years, opening stores in new markets, countries, and continents, launching new chains, and acquiring other retailers, to bring its popular off-price model to an even wider network of customers who love brand name apparel and home fashions, all at amazing value. After nearly 40 years of service to the Company, Mr. Cammarata retired from his position as Chairman of the Board in June 2015 and remains with TJX in an advisory role as Founder and Executive Advisor.

The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX), the leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the U.S. and worldwide, is ranked 85 among Fortune 500 companies and operates four major divisions: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International (comprised of Europe and Australia). As of February 3, 2018 (the end of the fiscal year), TJX sales were $35.9 billion, and the Company operated more than 4,000 stores in nine countries, across three continents.

Key TJX Company Milestones:

1977

The first two T.J. Maxx stores open in Auburn and Worcester, Massachusetts.

1987-1989

In 1987, Zayre forms a new entity called The TJX Companies, Inc., with T.J. Maxx, Hit or Miss, and Chadwick’s of Boston as the initial retail banners. Following Zayre’s reorganization in 1989, TJX becomes the successor company with Ben Cammarata serving as Chief Executive Officer and President.

1990

TJX acquires Winners Apparel of Canada, a Toronto-based chain of five off-price family apparel stores. Over time, TJX grows this chain into Canada’s largest off-price retailer of family apparel and home fashions.

1992

TJX launches HomeGoods in the U.S., offering an eclectic selection of home fashions from around the world.

1994

TJX launches T.K. Maxx, introducing the off-price concept to the U.K. and then to Ireland. Over time, T.K. Maxx becomes Europe’s only major brick-and-mortar, off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions.

1995

TJX acquires Marshalls, the second largest off-price retailer in the U.S. At this time, Marshalls has 496 stores and offers brand name family apparel, including a broad selection of footwear and menswear. Combined, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls operated more than 1,000 stores nationwide.

TJX sells the Hit or Miss chain to members of Hit or Miss management and outside investors.

1996

TJX sells Chadwick’s of Boston to more closely focus on the synergies between T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and the successful growth of its various off-price store brands.

1998

TJX launches A.J. Wright, an off-price concept similar to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, but aimed at a different consumer demographic.

2001

TJX launches HomeSense in Canada, introducing the off-price home fashions concept to that country. Similar to HomeGoods, HomeSense offers customers a wide selection of off-price home fashions.

2003

TJX acquires Bob’s Stores, a 31-store, value-oriented retailer of casual family apparel and footwear based in the Northeast region of the U.S.

2007

T.K. Maxx opens stores in Germany, introducing the off-price concept to that country.