'Most' TJMaxx, Marshalls And Home Goods To Reopen By Summer

CONNECTICUT — Most TJMaxx, Marshalls and Home Goods stores should be reopened by the end of June, the parent company for the discount apparel and home decor chains said.

The announcement was recently made in the first-quarter earnings report from TJX Companies. TJX has taken a hit from temporary coronavirus closures, with a net loss per share of 74 cents in the quarter.

According to the earnings report, stores started to reopen May 2 in select states and countries "in accordance with local government guidelines." To date, TJX has reopened more than 1,600 of its stores worldwide. As of May 2, the company was operating 4,545 stores.

Shoppers seemed excited about the move. Initial sales overall have been ahead of last year's sales pace across all states and countries for the more than 1,100 stores that have been reopened for at least a week, according to the report.

Reopening standards include:

• Usage of a face mask by store associates while working
• Signs saying customers are expected to wear a face covering when shopping
• Company-issued face masks and gloves for associates and hand sanitation stations throughout stores for associates and customers
• New cleaning regimens are being implemented throughout the day, including enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces, such as PIN pads and shopping carts
• Protective shields are at registers
• Distancing markers have been placed
• Daily health screenings and temperature checks are available for all store associates prior to and upon reporting to work
• New store occupancy limits are in place, even where not required by regulations
• The temporary closure of fitting rooms in U.S. stores
• New procedures are in place for merchandise returns