TJX Companies runs off-price retail chains including T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, selling brand-name clothing and home goods at discounts by buying excess inventory, canceled orders and closeouts from other retailers and manufacturers. That opportunistic buying model means its merchandise mix constantly changes, which the company has turned into a marketing advantage by encouraging frequent store visits to see what's newly arrived. The off-price model tends to hold up relatively well during economic downturns, since value-conscious shopping increases, while still attracting customers in stronger economic periods looking for a bargain on recognizable brands. TJX operates thousands of stores across the United States, Canada and Europe, giving it the scale to negotiate favorably with the vendors supplying its inventory.