Ross vs. TJ Maxx vs. Marshalls vs. Burlington: The Ultimate Bargain Shop Showdown

Being money-conscious has always been a smart move. However, as goods’ prices continue to soar, it’s becoming increasingly vital. Affordable-retail-giant Ross has grown more and more popular because of this, yet it’s far from the only budget-friendly option available. Continue reading for a few other cheap and cheerful brands worth checking out plus how they all manage to stack up!

Ross

If you’ve never entered a Ross before, let us lay the scene: it’s busy, bright, somewhat basic… and filled to the brim with stuff. Much of it is clothing but they do have some other things like shoes, beauty products, home goods － all of which are often insanely cheap.

How cheap are we talking? According to past Bloomberg research, Ross’ offerings average out a good $4 less than other retail and department store competitors. And with how pricing has been going lately, that gap is likely just getting wider.

Now, there is a bit of a catch. While Ross has some wonderful items deeply discounted, the store generally carries fewer designer labels and more knock-offs than one might expect, especially when compared to the likes of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Burlington. Product quality can vary wildly, too, between off- and name-brands alike and between individual products.

Luckily, this doesn’t apply across the board. There truly are good deals to be found here: bags, toys, wardrobe basics, and shoes － don’t forget the shoes! Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas all find a home under Ross’ roof, and stock is rotated regularly, making the store an obvious go-to for fresh bargains and seasonal shopping.

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx vs Ross is a hotly-waged war but one that ultimately just depends on what you’re looking for. Where Ross might as well be the home of affordable basics, TJ Maxx shines at bigger brands for less. 

Although it is indeed not typically quite as cheap, it does offer solid discounts on the higher-quality clothing, accessories, home goods, toys, and more not always found at competitors. It carries a wider range of products, too, allowing shoppers to meet their different retail needs all in the same space.

Another strong point of this particular store actually lies in how it’s run. Whereas some other department stores drop the ball with how they treat shoppers, this one embraces strong customer-friendly policies via generous return policies, a solid loyalty program, and frequent inventory updates. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that TJ Maxx is without its faults. Indeed, it suffers similar inventory inconsistencies to Ross as well as pretty rough customer service because of high store traffic. Things get very crowded especially during sales so plan accordingly! 

It’s a smaller thing, though one still worth mentioning: store organization and aesthetics can leave something to be desired in certain areas. This can certainly make finding things more challenging. Luckily, what it lacks in eye-catching displays or efficient layouts, it makes up for in its product range.

Marshalls

Practically hear the discount racks of Ross or TJ Maxx calling to you but don’t have a store close by? Then Marshalls is the place to be. With its number of available products, frequent inventory shipments, overall quality, and even store policy, the similarities between it and the former stores pile up fast.

And as it turns out, that’s far from coincidence － Marshalls and TJ Maxx are actually owned by the same parent company, TJX Companies Inc. 

It’s a detail that’s a bit of a fun fact but one that also brings customers some really nice, tangible benefits. For starters, it means that both stores share a loyalty program. Spend a dollar at TJ Maxx or Marshalls and you gain 5 points that can be used at either. 

The companies’ connection can be helpful when it comes to general shopping, too, making it easier to track down hidden gems or viral treasures. After all, they share similar stock. Can’t find what you’re after? You may just strike gold after checking out the other’s sister store. 

Marshalls gets a couple figurative points deducted since its lines tend to be awfully long, and the similarities to TJ Maxx can present fewer opportunities for exciting, new goods. Yet, between its awesome kitchen buys and surprisingly high-quality cosmetics, we can’t help coming back for more.

Burlington

Burlington showing up on a list of stores like TJ Maxx and Ross might come off as somewhat of a curveball. It hasn’t always been known as the cheapest place around, but times have been changing, and Burlington has alongside them. 

Nowadays, it’s no longer all expensive coats but fits for the whole family and discounts that keep the wallet happy. In fact, Burlington’s become such a champion for accessing buying that it provides an in-house layaway program. Most of the competition dropped that years ago but Burlington has insisted on it, guaranteeing everyone － regardless of budget － can purchase their clothing and cold-weather gear.

Speaking of, don’t worry. That’s still a priority. Burlington may have dropped the “coat factory” from its name but the shop continues to specialize in all things outerwear.

But should you stop in to see what’s on the shop’s racks, be mindful. Burlington, despite having some incredible pieces, has received some critical reviews over the past few years. Quality can be hit or miss even for some of the designer items. So, if you’re going to shop there, always triple-check items for defects or sizing issues prior to purchase!

To Sum It All Up

• Ross is generally the cheapest option of the bunch, though Burlington can be a pretty close second.
• Marshalls and TJ Maxx typically offer the best value for the quality.
• Burlington is ideal for outwear or those who need layaway. 
• TJ Maxx or Marshalls is the best for clothing or cosmetics.
• Quality control isn’t ideal at any of these bargain shops.
• Ross is better than the competition for shoe shopping and off-brand lookalikes.

 At the end of the day, there is no one “best” bargain shop out of the bunch. Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Burlington have their own unique strengths and are all well-worth checking out. But we want to hear from you! 

Do you have a preferred brand? Have any must-buys we should know about? Drop us a comment below and don’t forget to check out Shoplito for all the best budget brands, sales, and deals today!