If you've ever found yourself digging through the racks at T.J. Maxx wondering whether that red sticker means you've struck clearance gold or should hold out for an even better deal, you're not alone. The discount retailer is a favorite among budget-conscious shoppers for a reason, but not everyone knows how to decode the store's price tags—even us Maxxinistas (guilty as charged!).
From white tags to yellow clearance stickers, every T.J. Maxx price tag color tells a story about the product's discount level, markdown timing, and whether it's a final sale item. Knowing what those colors mean can help you maximize your savings the next time you hit the aisles.
To help make your next shopping trip stress-free, we're breaking down T.J. Maxx's price tag rainbow.
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White price tags
9 | Wall ArtQualityHD / Shutterstock.comMerchandise with white tags (AKA, no special color-coded sticker) indicate that the clothing item, furniture piece, footwear, spa care, home decor, etc., is regular price.
But as shopping influencer The Krazy Coupon Lady (@thekrazycouponlady) explains on Instagram, "It could still be a good price, though, because T.J. Maxx is known for offering 20 to 70 percent off what you find for similar items at a department store."
Blue price tags
5 | Food & SnacksMDV Edwards / Shutterstock.comIf you come across an item with a blue sticker, that means it's part of a corresponding set.
Blue tags are common in the clothing section, where you can often snag pajama sets, cozy loungewear, and matching workout sets. Typically, these pieces are all attached to the same hanger—if not, a blue sticker can signal that part of the set is missing.
Blue tags don't indicate a discount; these products are regular price.
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Purple price tags
1. Designer Shoes, Handbags and AccessoriesT.J. MaxxDid you know that you can find luxury brands at T.J. Maxx? The Runway collection at T.J. Maxx features women's and men's clothing, beauty, shoes, and accessories from luxury fashion and ultra-designer brands. These include Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone, True Religion, Fendi, Christian Dior, Prada, Burberry, Off-White, and more.
Generally, The Runway has its own dedicated zone at T.J. Maxx stores. Merchandise may have additional security sensors, but a tell-tale sign is the purple price tag. According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, Maxxinistas can score up to 70 percent off retail price.
Inventory can ebb and flow, but "expect clothes to be out of season," she added. So if you’re in need of a new winter coat, spring would be the best time to go looking.
Red price tags
6 | Stop swapping the stickers.ShutterstockYou guessed it—Red tickets signal the item is on clearance.
"You'll see these tags throughout the year, and markdowns usually happen on Monday mornings," said The Krazy Coupon Lady.
Sometimes, if you're lucky, a tag will have a stack of red stickers. This just means the price has been reduced multiple times. It's super common with cyclic items, such as holiday decor or seasonal clothing.
Yellow price tags
5 | Don’t test the makeup.ShutterstockAnd finally, the yellow sticker. Items with yellow price tags represent final clearance—meaning, the price has been marked down as low as it will go. Yellow tickets are up to 77 percent off white tags, per The Krazy Coupon Lady.
"So, if it's red tagged and you're on the fence about it, consider waiting for the yellow tag to get slapped on top," she said.
As we've previously shared, T.J. Maxx's yellow-tag clearance sale only happens twice a year: Once in January, and then again in July. These events run all month long—but of the two, January usually has lowest prices.
"This is a strategic move by the company because they know that not as many people want to shop after Christmas because they just spent loads of money for the past month on presents," explained a former T.J. Maxx employee named Taylor (@simplytaylorb) in a YouTube video.
Just like with red tags, some products get slammed with multiple yellow stickers.
"I vividly remember going into my store, and products were just getting wiped out because as I was scanning them down, down, down, things just kept going. There was a $700 dress that I bought for $7. I've seen people walk out with 50+ items and they maybe spent $17. Watch the yellow ticket and definitely go shopping in January," she added.
