The holiday shopping season always feels hectic, right? It’s like navigating a giant maze, with bright lights and a plethora of products. For years, department stores have been the most frequented places.
Department stores are known for having everything. People of all ages shop there. This promise has lasted a long time and attracted a large number of customers.
However, the way people shop is changing nowadays. This old-fashioned store model faces a huge problem. Many young consumers, such as the children of Generation Z, don’t choose department stores first. They are more likely to find what they want somewhere else.
Attracting young customers is crucial and may even become a priority. You see, they have lost a lot of market share to this group. This is a huge challenge they are facing at the moment. Maybe the traditional department store seems a little…traditional? Savvy shoppers are now looking elsewhere.
Finding great deals and unique items is the main goal. Let’s take a look at some of the best places that prove something important. You don’t always need a big old department store to get a high return.
1. **T.J. Maxx**: Maybe this name has popped up on your radar. There’s a reason for that, they are a giant in the discount department store space. With over 1,200 stores in the US and Canada. Walking into T.J. Maxx is like going on a treasure hunt, not knowing exactly what you’ll find there.
But know that it’s priced right for you. They specialize in clothing, accessories, and home goods. Prices are usually much lower than regular retail stores. Discounts range from 20% to sometimes as much as 60%. A great place to find brand name items and designer brands without the designer price tag. They also have an online store for shoppers. Free shipping on orders over $89. You know, saving money is always a good thing.
2. **Nordstrom Rack**: Do you love luxury but also like affordable items? Nordstrom Rack is definitely the place for you. It offers an upscale shopping experience and a good brand reputation. At the same time, it also offers customers great discounts. They have more than 460 stores in the United States and Canada.
In addition, they now have a strong online presence as well. You can find luxury clothing, accessories, and more here. Sometimes, the discounts are as high as 70% of the original price. This is a great place to find high-end brands. Like T.J. Maxx, Nordstrom Rack also offers free shipping. You can enjoy free shipping on online orders over $89.
3. **World Market**: Walking into World Market is like a home adventure. The store first opened in 1958. Now, it has over 250 stores across the United States. They sell home-related items, you know. They offer a selection of furniture, decor, and food.
World Market usually charges a shipping fee for orders. But if you shop frequently, there is a clever workaround. Joining their rewards program will qualify you. You can enjoy free shipping on future orders you order there. This is a great perk for buying multiple items. It is a great alternative to the traditional store section. It offers unique items that you may not often see elsewhere.
Product on Amazon: World Market Hawaii’s Famous Huli-Huli Sauce – Hawaiian BBQ Sauce – Meat Rub BBQ Marinade Sauce and Steak Seasoning – 24 Ounce – 1 Pack
Brand: Hawaii’s Famous Huli-Huli Sauce
Binding: Misc. Product Group: Grocery
Price: 16.86 USD
Features:
1. ⭐ BEST MARINADE: This is the most favorite and famous barbecue marinade. Great for all kinds of meat: Chicken, Pork, Beef, and Seafood sauce. It enhanced the freshness of meat and aroused the whole flavor for the perfect taste of each barbecue recipes.
2. ⭐ SAUCE ON THE SIDE: Marinated meat and vegetables are great for grilling, and serving up a sauce on the side brings indoor or outdoor dining to delicious taste and savor that you and your friends and loved ones can enjoy.
3. ⭐ INCLUDES: 1 Bottle of Hawaii’s Famous Huli-Huli Sauce, 24 Ounce and OUR HAPPINESS GUARANTEE: If for any reasons you are not happy with the product within 30 days, message us and we will make it right. 😊
Shopping on Amazon >>
4. **ASOS**: Anyone who loves to shop entirely online should know this. ASOS is a major online shopping platform. The online retailer was first founded in 2000. Today, it is a huge platform for fashion-forward clothing. This includes clothing styles for both men and women. From sportswear to semi-formal outfits for a night out, there is everything.
They offer free standard shipping on all orders. This service is available for orders over $50. For shopping, this is a reasonable threshold. Standard shipping costs $7 for smaller orders. But joining ASOS Premier membership can enjoy next-day delivery. This service is very useful if you need an outfit in a hurry.
5. **Five Below**: Talk about a fun place to shop! Five Below was founded in 2002. It has grown quickly and now has over 1,110 stores. It’s in 40 states and its website. The original concept was that everything was $5 or less. Now they have some higher priced items too. But everything is still heavily discounted.
It’s especially popular with younger shoppers looking for bargains. Order online and have it delivered to your door for a flat rate of $7.95. But there’s a way you can avoid the shipping fee altogether. You can choose to have it delivered to any Five Below store for free and pick it up.
Product on Amazon: Bugha Exclusive led Gaming Mousepad for pc 31.5in x 11.8in
Brand: five below
Binding: Personal Computers Product Group: Personal Computer
Price: 19.99 USD
Features:
1. Low Friction Surface
2. Extra Large Play Surface
3. RGB Color Changing LED Lights
4. Soft Desk Mat
5. High Mouse Accuracy Mouse Mat
Shopping on Amazon >>
6. **Overstock**: Another online giant in the discount world. The site was founded in 1999 and has made a name for itself. It sells surplus and returned merchandise from other stores. As of 2023, Overstock is now a Beyond, Inc. company. Overstock is a great resource for furniture, rugs, and decor. Other home items are also priced lower than anywhere else. Overstock offers a Club O rewards program for $20 per year. The program includes benefits such as free returns and points back. Shipping to the lower 48 states is free for everyone, which is a big plus for ordering large home items.
7. **Saks OFF 5th**: This is where you get luxury at a fraction of the price. Saks OFF 5th is the sister store of Saks 5th Avenue. The store has been in business since 1990. There are currently 102 stores and a website. It is a haven for high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories. The items are almost all from designer brands, but the prices are affordable.
Saks OFF 5th often offers discounts of 60% or more. They easily cater to men, women, and children. Dress the whole family in designer clothes for less money. They also often offer additional discounts.
8. **Macy’s Backstage**: This traditional department store is trying its hand at competing directly in the discount space. Macy’s has been around since 1858, but Backstage is a newer concept. It’s designed to offer trendy items at lower prices.
Shopping at Macy’s Backstage means there are daily specials and the assortment is constantly updated. You can find a wide variety of items here. This includes clothing, home goods, gifts, pet supplies, and more. This is a way for Macy’s to attract value-conscious shoppers.
In addition, their existing stores also have a wide variety of items. There is also the potential to attract younger, more deal-conscious shoppers. Bonus: If you’re already a member of the Macy’s Star Rewards program. It applies to all Macy’s Backstage stores. Note that Macy’s topped the list for Black Friday deals. The average discount at the time was 57.13%, which shows that it’s a good value.
Happy deal hunting for everyone!
