TJX stores hold sale after settling over data breach

TJX stores, including T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, are holding a one-day 15-percent-off sale on Thursday as a way to show appreciation for customers after a data breach at the company.

TJX disclosed in 2007 that 45.7 million customer accounts were compromised

"TJX has chosen to hold a previously planned, one-time Customer Appreciation Day to express our appreciation to customers for their continued support and patronage following the criminal attack(s) announced on our computer systems two years ago," TJX spokeswoman Sherry Lang said in a statement. "TJX remains committed to providing our customers a safe and secure shopping environment as well as offering the great quality, fashion, brands, and values our customers have grown to expect."

The sale initially was negotiated to be part of a court settlement but did not end up in the final agreement. The Framingham, Mass.-based company decided to hold the sale anyway, according to The Boston Globe.

TJX has more than 2,400 stores, including HomeGoods and A.J.Wright in the U.S. and Winners, HomeSense, and StyleSense in Canada, as well as T.K. Maxx and HomeSense in Europe.

The TJX breach was considered the largest ever, but a recently announced breach at payment processor Heartland Payment Systems may be even bigger. Heartland disclosed on Tuesday that customer accounts had been compromised last year.

Heartland processes payroll and credit card payments for more than 250,000 businesses and handles more than 100 million transactions per month. The president of Heartland said he did not know exactly how many unique cards or consumers were affected.

(Credit: TJX)

[grinnellma]

This is all fine and good, but of course, TJX has to wait until after the holiday shopping season to give the 15% off. They decided to give it at a time when it benefits them so that they can get rid of all the winter clearance items and clean up their stores. It's not a genuine apology to their loyal customers.

[swingnote]

A lame PR sham.

15% off is a "thank you"?

Most companies are doing sales DOUBLE that, and they didn't allow their customers' data to be stolen.

Hope TJX goes bankrupt.

[projectnation]

This article was written today (Thursday) but only says the discount is on Thursday. So does it mean "Today" or next Thursday or some other day? Going to the TJX website does not indicate any sales.

[elinormills]

Sale is today, Thursday Jan. 22. Happy shopping.