Softgoods

Retailers with value orientations were the ones making headway in growing share of the softgoods market last year.

Ross Stores, with its Dress for Less brand, is a traditional off-price clothing retailer, while both TJX and Kohl’s are apparel-heavy in their offerings, but also include domestics and housewares in their mixes. Bed Bath & Beyond certainly has a value image when viewed against major competitors like Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel, and even the merchandise at Dick’s Sporting Goods can be described as being moderately priced when compared with the more specialized gear at Cabela’s, Gander Mountain or REI.

TJX’s major vehicle is the Marmaxx off-price apparel division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s, which generated $13.3 billion in sales at more than 1,700 stores in 2009. The other U.S. operations include HomeGoods — featuring linens, towels, home textiles and housewares — and A.J. Wright, which sells more moderately-priced apparel. TJX has budgeted $750 million in capital expenditures for this year, including opening 50 to 55 Marmaxx division units in the United States and a like number of stores overseas. Also on tap is a new, as-yet-unnamed retail concept set to launch next spring.

Kohl’s is a much more flamboyant value retailer than TJX, featuring merchandise exclusives all over the store bearing the names of high-profile designers. In a recent scoop, Kohl’s announced that Aldo International will design and produce an exclusive line of footwear for its some 1,070 stores.