HomeGoods, a TJX Company: Evaluation and E-commerce Recommendations

Table of Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Home Goods, a TJX Company, E-Commerce and Recommendations………………....... 4
Home Goods Current Use of the Web……………………………………………………. 4
Web Design Analysis ……………………………………………………………………. 5 What Works………………………………………………………………………. 6 Recommendations for Improvement……………………………………………… 6
Web Use for Future Growth …………………………………………………………….. 7 Strengths…………………………………………………………………………... 7 Weaknesses………………………………………………………………………... 8 Opportunities…………………………………………………………………….... 8 Threats…………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Ethical Considerations…………………………………………………………………….. 9
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………… 10
References…………………………………………………………………………………. 11

Abstract
Founded in 1992 and with more than 400 stores now nationwide, HomeGoods prides itself in finding one-of-a-kind, discounted home décor merchandise. HomeGoods offers a variety of products from “around the world, such as giftware, home basics, table-top, accent furniture, lamps, rugs, bath and bedding, decorative accessories, children's furniture, seasonal merchandise, and wall décor.” With weekly shipments, HomeGoods huge stores are constantly changing with merchandise. Their consumers come for the hunt. HomeGoods website is carefully designed with inspirational photos and decorating ideas, but it does not offer online shopping. Although it is very interactive, it can drive its consumer to online competitors like Wayfair, Joss & Main or Etsy, which also has one-of-a-kind décor items. HomeGoods uses many social media tools like Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to showcase their customer “finds.” In the long term future, HomeGoods plans to double its market presence in the United States. However, it does not have a timeline (publicly known) to open an online store. E-commerce would increase sales and bring new customers who don’t have access to a HomeGoods, but it would also compromise the company’s values of finding one-of-a-kind merchandise. Their use of social media and an interactive website would lose part of its presence because there wouldn’t be the HomeGoods “find” anymore with online shopping. These are considerations Home Goods needs to make in creating an online marketplace.
Keywords: e-commerce, web design, one-of-a-kind, merchandise
HomeGoods, a TJX Company, Evaluation and E-commerce Recommendations
Founded in 1992 and with more than 400 stores now nationwide, HomeGoods prides itself in finding one-of-a-kind, discounted home décor merchandise. HomeGoods offers a variety of products from “around the world, such as giftware, home basics, table-top, accent furniture, lamps, rugs, bath and bedding, decorative accessories, children's furniture, seasonal merchandise, and wall décor” (The TJX Companies, 2014.) No HomeGoods store is the same. New shipments come in weekly and one store may have a whole different collection of goods than the other. With standalone stores and mega stores that incorporates either a T.J.Maxx or Marshalls, HomeGoods has become a popular off-price shopping destination. There use of the web is interesting in the fact that they promote home decor products and decorating ideas, but don’t offer online shopping. With online discounted home decorating competitors like Wayfair.com, Joss & Main (a Wayfair company), Amazon, and Overstock, HomeGoods online presence is lacking. HomeGoods online presence actually drives consumers to its online competitors. When HomeGoods advertises how to decorate with videos and pictures, the consumer can easily shop online for similar products. HomeGoods uses social media like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to advertise to their multi-channel shoppers. Their hope is to drive people to their store and peek their consumer’s interest in what they may find. HomeGoods is a hunting ground – the consumer never knows what