Hey there, savvy shoppers! Are you always on the hunt for amazing deals on the hottest fashion and home decor brands? Then you‘re probably already familiar with Ross Dress for Less, the ultimate destination for bargain-priced designer goodies. With its treasure hunt-like shopping experience and constantly updating merchandise selection, it‘s no wonder Ross has become a go-to for budget-conscious shoppers across the country.
But did you know there‘s a whole world of other stores like Ross out there waiting to be explored? I‘m talking about off-price retailers, which are stores that specialize in selling brand-name and designer goods at discounted prices. If you love the thrill of uncovering a amazing deal at Ross, you absolutely need to check out these similar off-price stores stat.
What Exactly Is An Off-Price Store?
Before we dive in, let‘s break down what exactly makes a store "off-price". Essentially, off-price retailers like Ross purchase overstock, past-season, and slightly irregular merchandise directly from brands and designers at heavily discounted rates. They then sell these goods to shoppers at prices way below regular department store retail costs.
For example, a designer handbag that normally retails for $250 might sell for just $100 at an off-price store like Ross. According to a 2019 report by First Insight, shoppers save an average of 38% on apparel and 31% on home goods at off-price vs. regular retailers. No wonder the off-price retail market is booming, with over $50 billion in sales in 2019 and 89% of shoppers saying they visit off-price stores at least once a month (Coresight Research).
My Love Affair With Ross and Off-Price Shopping
I first discovered the magic of off-price shopping as a fashion-obsessed college student on a ramen noodle budget. My stylish classmate Kelly used to show up to parties decked out in the cutest dresses and heels, and I always wondered how she could afford such nice pieces. Her secret? Ross, of course.
The first time I stepped into my local Ross store, I was blown away. The prices were so incredibly low, I felt like I was getting away with highway robbery! I walked out with three cute tops, a pair of on-trend jeans, and some statement earrings, all for under $60 total. I was instantly hooked on the off-price life.
Since then, I‘ve become a certified Ross pro, stopping in to browse the racks at least once every week or two. I can‘t even begin to tell you how many amazing designer pieces I‘ve found there over the years. We‘re talking a perfectly fitting Calvin Klein LBD for $25, a and a Michael Kors satchel for just $70. And don‘t even get me started on the home decor section – that‘s where I got my beloved $150 Hotel Collection queen comforter set for a mere $40.
Of course, shopping at Ross isn‘t all sunshine and rainbows. The stores can be kind of a mess, with clothes shoved haphazardly on the racks and random items strewn about. It takes some serious patience and elbow grease to comb through all the merchandise and find those diamonds in the rough. But for me, that‘s all part of the fun. I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with digging up an incredible bargain.
Top Brick-and-Mortar Stores Like Ross
Ready to expand your off-price shopping horizons beyond Ross? Here are my favorite brick-and-mortar stores that offer a similar treasure hunt experience and amazing deals:
1. Marshalls
Marshalls is hands down the most similar store to Ross. It has that same "everything but the kitchen sink" vibe, with racks upon racks of discounted clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty products, and home goods to sift through. I love that Marshalls gets new merchandise in almost daily, so there‘s always a new crop of goodies to discover.
Some of my all-time best Marshalls finds include a $500 Badgley Mischka sequined gown I snagged for $150 and a $60 BCBG cocktail dress I scored for just $20. My friend Jessie is the queen of uncovering killer shoe deals there – she recently found a pair of Frye leather boots for 50% off!
2. TJ Maxx
If you love Marshalls, you‘ll definitely want to hit up TJ Maxx too. In fact, the two stores are owned by the same company, so they have a lot of the same brands and even similar store layouts. I find that TJ Maxx is a tad more organized and tidy than Marshalls or Ross, which I appreciate when I‘m in a rush and don‘t have time to dig through the chaos.
TJ Maxx is my favorite spot to stock up on nice work clothes. I recently picked up a great Calvin Klein blazer there for just $60 (originally $250!), and I always find cute blouses and trousers for a fraction of the department store price. They also have an amazing selection of designer purses – I‘m talking Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and more for 20-60% off retail.
3. Burlington
I‘ll admit, I used to sleep on Burlington. I thought it was just a place to buy coats (which, to be fair, they do have a great outerwear selection). But once I actually stepped foot in the store, I was pleasantly surprised to find a solid selection of discounted clothing, shoes, home goods, and more.
My favorite sections at Burlington are the activewear and the baby/kids department. I consistently find high-quality workout leggings from brands like Adidas, Nike, and Athleta for 50-70% off. And don‘t even get me started on the adorable baby clothes! I‘ve gotten so many cute Carter‘s, OshKosh, and Gerber outfits for my niece there, all for under $10 each.
4. Nordstrom Rack
Now, if you want to get a little bit fancy with your off-price shopping, you‘ve got to check out Nordstrom Rack. This is basically the Ross of luxury department stores, offering majorly marked-down merchandise from high-end brands like Vince, Theory, Rag & Bone, and more.
I especially love Nordstrom Rack for finding designer denim on the cheap. They always have a great selection of premium brands like Joe‘s, Hudson, and Citizens of Humanity for 60-70% off retail. The store also has a surprisingly affordable collection of formalwear and cocktail dresses from pricey labels like BCBG and Adrianna Papell.
5. Saks Off Fifth
Similar to Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth is the off-price little sister of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. It has more of a curated, upscale feel compared to the other stores on this list, but don‘t worry – the prices are still way cheaper than shopping at the regular Saks store.
Saks Off Fifth is definitely the place to go if you‘re looking to treat yourself to a little bit of luxury for less. The store carries stunning pieces from designers like Valentino, Balmain, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent for a fraction of the original cost. I once got a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choo heels there for 65% off – talk about a dream come true!
6. HomeGoods
Last but not least, my favorite off-price store for all things home is HomeGoods. This place is seriously dangerous for me because I want to buy everything! The selection is always changing, but you can count on finding high-quality furniture, decor, bedding, kitchen essentials, and gourmet food for 20-60% off department store prices.
Some of my best HomeGoods scores include a $200 Cynthia Rowley throw blanket for $40, a $50 set of Calphalon pots and pans for $15, and a $100 Cuisinart coffee maker for just $30. I also love shopping there for unique seasonal decor pieces – I found the most adorable galvanized metal Jack-o-lantern there last Halloween for under $10!
Online Alternatives to Ross for Bargain Hunting at Home
As much as I adore the in-store experience at Ross and other off-price retailers, sometimes I just want the ease and convenience of bargain shopping from my couch. Whenever that mood strikes, I turn to these awesome off-price websites to score some sweet deals:
1. Overstock
Overstock is the ultimate online destination for discounted everything. Seriously, this site has it all – clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding, furniture, decor, appliances, jewelry, and so much more, all for 20-70% off regular retail prices. It‘s like a giant digital TJ Maxx!
One of my favorite things about shopping on Overstock is the customer reviews. I always check them out before adding an item to my cart to get a sense of the quality and fit. The site also offers free shipping on most orders over $45 in the lower 48 states, which is a nice perk.
2. Nordstrom Rack Online
Can‘t make it to a physical Nordstrom Rack store? Don‘t worry, their website is almost as good as the real thing! You‘ll find a similar selection of discounted designer goods across all categories.
I especially love the Nordstrom Rack site for finding deals on beauty products. They have an incredible array of makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance from prestige brands for way less than you‘d pay at Sephora or Ulta. Pro tip: keep an eye out for the "Beauty Deals Under $20" section.
3. 6pm
6pm is owned by Zappos, so you know they‘ve got the hookup on cheap but legit shoes! The site offers a huge selection of footwear for women, men, and kids from tons of popular brands like Sam Edelman, Clarks, Skechers, Vans, and more for up to 70% off.
But 6pm is way more than just a shoe destination. I‘ve also gotten some incredible deals on clothing and handbags there from brands like Kate Spade, BCBG, Levi‘s, Columbia, and Calvin Klein. The only downside is that 6pm doesn‘t offer free shipping or returns, but I think their rock-bottom prices make up for it.
4. ASOS Sale Section
Okay, so ASOS isn‘t technically an off-price retailer in the same way as the other stores on this list. But their sale section? Total gold mine for scoring trendy, high-quality pieces for cheap. I‘m talking up to 70% off the UK brand‘s already affordable prices!
I love ASOS for its incredible selection of dresses, coats, and shoes in particular. They carry hundreds of styles in tons of different cuts and size ranges, so there‘s really something for everybody. The site also offers free shipping on orders over $49.99 and free returns within 28 days, which makes shopping online a breeze.
5. Saks Off 5th Online
If you‘re looking for the crème de la crème of online designer deal destinations, you can‘t beat Saks Off 5th. The site offers the largest selection of discounted high-end fashion and accessories on the web, with savings up to 70% off retail.
I‘ve found some seriously jaw-dropping deals on there, like $900 Saint Laurent boots for $250 and a $2000 Gucci bag for $600. Saks Off 5th also has an impressive range of contemporary brands like Alice + Olivia, DVF, and Vince for way less than department store prices. Plus, they always have some sort of promotion going on, like an extra 20-50% off clearance or free shipping.
The Pros and Cons of Shopping at Off-Price Stores
As an avid bargain hunter and off-price devotee, I can honestly say that I rarely pay full price for anything anymore. Stores like Ross have completely spoiled me with their amazing deals! But off-price shopping isn‘t all sunshine and rainbows – there are definitely some drawbacks to keep in mind.
Pros
- Unbeatable prices on designer and brand-name goods
- Huge, frequently updated selection across all categories
- Opportunity to score Holy Grail and hard-to-find items
- Fun, treasure hunt-like shopping experience
- Allows you to refresh your wardrobe and home for way less $$
Cons
- Merchandise is often from past seasons or lower-quality diffusion lines
- Available quantities and sizing are super limited
- Stores can be messy, disorganized, and difficult to navigate
- Time-consuming to sift through racks and wait in long checkout lines
- Final sale policies and stricter return windows for many items
At the end of the day, I think the pros of shopping at off-price stores like Ross far outweigh the cons. Sure, it takes a little more effort and flexibility. But for me, the thrill of finding an amazing designer piece at an unbelievable price will never get old. Off-price shopping has helped me build a wardrobe full of gorgeous, quality items I never could‘ve afforded otherwise.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Off-Price Shopping Experience
Ready to hit up some stores like Ross and find some incredible deals of your own? Follow these tips to make the most of your off-price bargain hunting experience:
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Go in with an open mind and a flexible wish list. The selection at these stores is so unpredictable, you never know what gems you might uncover!
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Dress in comfortable, easy-to-change clothes like a tank and leggings. Off-price store fitting rooms are often crowded and chaotic, so you may need to try things on the sales floor.
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Give yourself ample time to browse. Rushing through off-price racks is a recipe for missing out on the best deals. I like to budget at least an hour per store visit.
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Inspect items thoroughly for damage before purchasing. Ripped seams, broken zippers, and stained fabrics are common with off-price merch.
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Befriend the sales associates and ask them when they get new shipments in. Most stores restock at least a few times per week, and sometimes there are treasures lurking in the back!
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Check the store‘s website and social media pages before shopping in-person. Many off-price retailers will advertise their new arrivals and biggest sales online.
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Don‘t be afraid to dig, dig, dig. I always start with the clearance racks and end-of-season sections – that‘s where the best buried treasures live!
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Go cashless to stick to your budget. It‘s so easy to get carried away in an off-price store. I like to bring a set amount of cash so I don‘t blow my clothing allowance.
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If you love something, grab it immediately. Most off-price stores have a very limited stock of each item, so once it‘s gone, it‘s usually gone for good.
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Sign up for off-price retailer emails and loyalty programs to get a heads up on exclusive sales, coupons, and new merchandise alerts.
By keeping these savvy shopping strategies in mind, you‘ll be able to navigate the wild world of off-price retail like a total pro. Who knows – you just might end up finding your new favorite pieces and go-to stores in the process. I know I‘m forever grateful to my old pal Ross for introducing me to the thrill and the thriftiness of off-price shopping all those years ago!
Happy bargain hunting, friends! And if you have any amazing off-price scores of your own, I‘d love to hear about them in the comments. After all, us savvy shoppers have to stick together, right? Here‘s to many more fashion finds, home goods hauls, and unbelievable deals at all the amazing stores like Ross out there.
