The TJX Companies, Inc.
Company History
TJX Companies History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1987 in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
When was TJX Companies founded?
TJX Companies was founded in 1987 in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States by Bernard Cammarata, making it 39 years old.
- Founded
- 1987
- Founding place
- Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
- Founders
- Bernard Cammarata
- Headquarters today
- Framingham, Massachusetts
- Milestones documented
- 12 (1956–2026)
- Current CEO
- Ernie Herrman
- Acquisitions
- 5
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1956 | Zayre discount stores open |
| 1977 | First T.J. Maxx opens |
| 1987 | TJX Companies formed |
| 1990 | Winners acquisition expands TJX into Canada |
| 1992 | HomeGoods launches |
| 1994 | TK Maxx opens in the UK |
| 1995 | Marshalls acquired |
| 2007 | Payment Card Data Breach |
| 2012 | Sierra Trading Post Acquired |
| 2016 | Ernie Herrman becomes CEO |
| 2024 | Grupo Axo joint venture |
| 2026 | TJX passes $60B in annual net sales |
- Where was TJX Companies founded?
- TJX Companies was founded in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States in 1987.
- Who founded TJX Companies?
- TJX Companies was founded by Bernard Cammarata.
- When did TJX Companies start?
- TJX Companies was founded in 1987.
- How old is TJX Companies?
- TJX Companies is 39 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
TJX's roots go back to Zayre Corp., a Massachusetts discount chain whose Feldberg family founders traced their business to 1919. In 1976 Zayre recruited Ben Cammarata, Marshalls' general merchandise manager, to build a rival off-price chain, and the first T.J. Maxx opened in Auburn, Massachusetts in 1977. Zayre formed The TJX Companies as a subsidiary in 1987, sold its discount stores to Ames in 1988, and reorganized in 1989 with TJX as the successor company. TJX then bought Winners in Canada (1990), launched HomeGoods (1992) and TK Maxx in the UK (1994), and acquired Marshalls from Melville Corp. in 1995. Later additions included Sierra Trading Post (2012) and Australia's Trade Secret (2015), which was converted to TK Maxx.
Founders
Bernard Cammarata
Ben Cammarata launched T.J. Maxx for Zayre Corp., opening the first store in Auburn, Massachusetts in 1977. He went on to lead TJX as its chief executive and later chairman, overseeing the Winners purchase, the HomeGoods and TK Maxx launches, and the 1995 Marshalls acquisition that created the Marmaxx division. Bernard Cammarata was born in 1940.
Key Milestones
Zayre discount stores open
The Feldberg family, whose New England Trading Company dated to 1919, opened the first Zayre discount store; Zayre Corp. later incubated T.J. Maxx.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgFirst T.J. Maxx opens
After recruiting Ben Cammarata from Marshalls in 1976, Zayre opened the first T.J. Maxx in Auburn, Massachusetts.
Source: tjx.comTJX Companies formed
Zayre established The TJX Companies as a subsidiary; after Zayre sold its discount stores to Ames in 1988, TJX became the legal successor to Zayre Corp. in 1989.
Source: tjx.comWinners acquisition expands TJX into Canada
TJX entered Canada by acquiring Winners, creating the platform for TJX Canada.
Source: tjx.comHomeGoods launches
TJX expanded the off-price model into home fashions with HomeGoods.
Source: tjx.comMarshalls acquired
TJX bought Marshalls from Melville Corp., combining it with T.J. Maxx to form the Marmaxx segment.
Source: tjx.comPayment Card Data Breach
TJX disclosed in January 2007 that intruders had stolen data on more than 45 million payment cards.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSierra Trading Post Acquired
TJX bought the off-price outdoor retailer Sierra Trading Post in December 2012.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgErnie Herrman becomes CEO
Ernie Herrman became CEO of The TJX Companies in 2016. Joined TJX in 1989 and rose through merchandising roles; President since 2011 and CEO since January 2016.
Source: tjx.comGrupo Axo joint venture
TJX agreed in June 2024 to take a 49% stake in a joint venture with Mexico's Grupo Axo.
Source: businesswire.comTJX passes $60B in annual net sales
TJX reported $60.4 billion in fiscal 2026 net sales and 5,214 stores at year end.
Source: tjx.comMajor Acquisitions
Winners
1990Entry into Canadian off-price retail.
Marshalls
1995Bought from Melville Corp. to combine the two largest U.S. off-price apparel chains.
Sierra Trading Post
2012Added an off-price outdoor and activewear retailer with an established online business.
Trade Secret (Australia)
2015Entry into Australian off-price retail.
Grupo Axo joint venture (49% stake)
2024Minority stake in a joint venture covering Axo's off-price stores in Mexico.
Keep researching TJX Companies
TJX Companies Company History FAQ
When, where, and how was The TJX Companies originally founded?
The TJX Companies traces its origins to 1976 when discount department store chain Zayre Corp. recruited retail executive Bernard Cammarata to build an off-price apparel chain, opening the first two T.J. Maxx stores in Auburn and Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1977.
How did Zayre Corp. evolve into The TJX Companies in 1987–1989?
In 1987, Zayre established The TJX Companies as an off-price subsidiary. Following financial restructuring, Zayre sold its discount department stores to Ames in 1988 and reorganized in 1989, renaming the parent holding company The TJX Companies, Inc., with Bernard Cammarata as CEO.
Who was Bernard Cammarata and what was his role in creating T.J. Maxx?
Bernard Cammarata (1939–2023) was the merchandising visionary behind T.J. Maxx. Formerly general merchandise manager at Marshalls, he perfected opportunistic inventory buying and served as TJX's CEO and Chairman for nearly three decades.
What was the landmark acquisition of Marshalls in 1995?
In 1995, TJX acquired its chief competitor, Marshalls, from Melville Corporation for $550 million, doubling its store fleet overnight and creating the Marmaxx operating division, the largest off-price apparel retailer in the United States.
How did TJX expand into Canada with the acquisition of Winners in 1990?
In 1990, TJX acquired Canadian off-price retailer Winners, which operated just five stores at the time, transforming it into Canada's leading off-price fashion brand with hundreds of locations across the country.
When was HomeGoods launched and why was it significant?
TJX launched HomeGoods in 1992 to apply the off-price model to home decor, cookware, rugs, and furniture, creating a multi-billion dollar business that operates over 900 standalone stores today.
Why is T.J. Maxx called "TK Maxx" in Europe and Australia?
When TJX expanded to the United Kingdom in 1994, it modified the brand name to "TK Maxx" to avoid brand confusion with established British retail discount chain T.J. Hughes.
How did Carol Meyrowitz shape TJX during her tenure as CEO (2007–2016)?
Carol Meyrowitz expanded TJX into a retail juggernaut, doubling annual sales from $17 billion to over $30 billion, navigating the 2008 Great Recession with counter-cyclical growth, and acquiring outdoor retailer Sierra Trading Post in 2012.
What was the massive 2007 TJX customer data breach and how did the company recover?
In 2007, TJX suffered a sophisticated cyberattack compromising over 45 million customer payment cards. The company overhauled its enterprise cybersecurity infrastructure, settled customer claims, and quickly regained consumer shopping trust.
When did Ernie Herrman become CEO and how has he grown the business?
Ernie Herrman became CEO in January 2016 after serving as President. Under his leadership, TJX expanded its global store fleet past 5,200 locations, pushed net sales past $60 billion in FY2026, and initiated expansion into Spain and the Middle East.
How did TJX acquire Trade Secret in Australia?
In 2015, TJX acquired Australian off-price chain Trade Secret for $59 million, subsequently converting all 35 locations to TK Maxx and establishing an off-price beachhead in the Asia-Pacific region.
Where is The TJX Companies headquartered today?
The TJX Companies is headquartered on a corporate campus in Framingham, Massachusetts, managing global buying offices in New York, London, Milan, Paris, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
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