Why Off-Price is On-Point
Then you have the really clever operators, the ones who thrive on chaos. I’m talking about companies like TJX, the brains behind T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. To me, they are the vultures of the retail world, and I mean that as a compliment. When other retailers over-order and panic, TJX swoops in, buys the excess designer stock for a song, and sells it to shoppers desperate for a bargain.
It’s a beautiful, virtuous cycle for them. The worse the economy gets, the more distressed inventory there is for them to snap up. They offer the thrill of finding a genuine brand at a fraction of the price, which is a powerful drug for a consumer forced to cut back elsewhere. While traditional department stores are lumbered with high costs, these off-price outfits are nimble, flexible, and perfectly positioned for a downturn.