In 2017, TJX Companies introduced U.S. shoppers to another affordable, off-market option: Homesense. The brand was already a mainstay in Europe and Canada, Today reported, but as of 2023, there are almost 50 stores across the U.S. According to Country Living, when compared to its sister store, HomeGoods, Homesense is a bit more sophisticated—offering better spaced-out aisles and expanded furniture options. But even though Homesense might be a bit more organized, there are still a few tips and tricks you should keep in mind to maximize your in-store experience—and they're not necessarily things the retailer wants you to know. Read on to find out the top five secrets for shopping at Homesense.
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1 | You should always compare prices.
Stores owned by TJX, which include Homesense, HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls, typically have comparison prices listed on the tag, with the store's lower price in bold. But the retailer concedes that those comparisons aren't always 100 percent accurate.
"Many of our price tags include comparison prices, which are references to regular retail prices of the same or similar items at full-price department or specialty retailers," Homesense's website reads. "Where identical items are not available, we compare to products of a similar type, quality and style."
As such, your fellow shoppers recommend double-checking prices before shelling out for something that's on the expensive side. Thankfully, it's likely that you'll find Homesense's prices are more than competitive.
"This is my favorite hack for shopping at Homesense," Sarah Reid, a realtor and interior design student, says in a Jan. 3 TikTok video. "If I see something in the store that I really like, and I want to check online to see comparable prices or a similar product, I just take a photo and upload it to Google Image Search."
Google will find anything that looks similar to the item you photographed—and it may locate one that looks exactly the same, Reid says.
She used an example of a gold picture frame light she found at Homesense. When searching online, Reid found a nearly identical item for almost quadruple the price. She concedes that the Homesense light could just be a great "dupe," but that it's hard to tell the two products apart.
While Reid was shopping at a Homesense in Canada, this trick will still prove useful for U.S. shoppers. "It works, it saves you money, and it allows you to make sure that what you're looking at buying is reasonably priced at the end of the day," she says.
2 | Items may be priced differently at other TJX stores.
On a similar note, it's worth checking the prices at Homesense's sister stores. You'll want to keep an eye out at HomeGoods, in particular, which may have some of the same items in stock.
In a Feb. 21 TikTok, @thedisneygirlie walked through a Homesense store, where a teal blue armchair was listed on clearance.
"This chair was actually full price at the HomeGoods right next door, so that's cool," she said in the video.
A seasoned shopper knows there's nothing worse than paying full price when you could've saved a few bucks—so it's worth it to double-check!
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3 | The retailer won't track down merchandise for you.
Richard O'Donoghue / ShutterstockIt may not seem all that surprising, but Homesense won't help you locate specific merchandise. According to Homesense's FAQ page, the retailer is aimed at providing customers "with a store where they can discover and explore great home finds at incredible values."
However, if you have something specific in mind but can't find it, you're out of luck. "To keep prices low and deliver the most exciting selection of products each week, we don't provide a service of tracking merchandise," the website reads.
So, if you see something you love in a store, don't leave it, as you might not be able to find it again.
4 | You can't shop online.
fizkes / ShutterstockSimilar to its policy on tracking merchandise, Homesense also doesn't offer an online store for shoppers, which can be inconvenient if you don't have a location nearby. But that's not to say this is a permanent policy.
The company states that "there is always the possibility" that they could introduce a website in the future, advising shoppers to sign up for the Homesense newsletters to stay up-to-date.
For now, however, you're stuck heading to a brick-and-mortar store to score the latest furniture finds.
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5 | Don't be afraid to ask for a discount.
If you want to purchase an item at Homesense but discover that it's damaged, there's no harm in asking an associate to knock the price down for you. According to Canadian shoppers, they're generally given a discount in these situations.
According to a TikTok posted by @homesense.finds.toronto in Dec. 2022, Homesense "will mark down damaged items, even without a red sticker."
A commenter, however, said you shouldn't expect anything grand—in their experience, Homesense employees have taken off a maximum of 10 percent. But as @homesense.finds.toronto says, you should still ask, as "it's better than nothing!"
