Scoring a designer piece at T.J. Maxx requires showing up at the right time. The store’s Runway section features luxury brands like Gucci, Theory, and Rag & Bone at steep discounts, but those items rarely stay on shelves for long. Timing matters more than people realize, especially since restocks, markdowns, and clearance events don’t follow a set schedule.
If you learn more about when to shop, you can seriously boost your odds. These smart timing strategies can help you find better deals and less picked-over racks.
Right at Opening Hours
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Most locations bring out new merchandise first thing in the morning. If you're among the first shoppers through the door, you’ll see items before they’re picked through. This early window is also when displays tend to be at their tidiest and make it easier to spot designer tags in the mix.
Midweek Mornings
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Wednesday through Friday mornings are typically less crowded and more productive for in-store restocking, according to shopper sources and TJX insiders. Monday is often used to recover from weekend traffic, so midweek visits give you better access to recent deliveries and a more complete inventory.
Early January
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January is the most markdown-heavy month on the TJ Maxx calendar. Former staff say items—Runway included—are often marked down daily during this time. With fewer post-holiday shoppers around, your chances of scoring a deal get a noticeable boost.
Mid-July During Seasonal Markdowns
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TJ Maxx resets spring and summer inventory in July. The store’s semi-annual markdown event often includes high-end fashion from The Runway section. Early in the day, during this period, is optimal, before markdowns are picked over by afternoon traffic.
Post-Holiday Morning Hours
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Immediately after holidays like Christmas and Memorial Day, stores begin clearing seasonal overstock. This includes returns and leftover high-end items that didn’t sell during peak season. Shopping early the next morning increases your chances of finding discounted designer goods before foot traffic rises.
Late Afternoon at High-Volume Locations
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In higher-traffic or affluent areas, some stores restock throughout the day, especially closer to evening. That 3 to 5 PM range can bring fresh Runway items to the racks, especially if employees are refreshing displays before the after-work crowd arrives.
Days When Yellow Tags Appear
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TJ Maxx doesn’t broadcast its deepest markdown days, but regulars know to look for yellow tags for final clearance. Yellow tags appear most heavily in January and July. If you see a bunch of yellow stickers in one section, head straight to the Runway rack. And do it early.
Mid-Month Mornings
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Longtime shoppers swear that new inventory flows in bigger batches around the beginning or midpoint of each month. It’s not officially confirmed, but arriving on a weekday morning during the second week might mean fresh deliveries just made it to the floor.
On Bad Weather Weekdays
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Cold, rainy weekdays keep most shoppers at home. That means fewer people and less competition for the higher-end items. If you don’t mind browsing in peace, a wet Wednesday could be your best shot at finding overlooked or just-stocked designer pieces.