Is M and M Direct TK maxx in disguise?

mattastic

Hi Folks,

I've been using them for years now, I've been pleased with the majority of puchases and saved a fortune.

However, some of the clobber seems a bit 'TKmaxx' to me.

Jeans and T shirts in particluar.

I bought some Hamnett jeans a few months ago and the quality was very dubious. Stiching was loose, cut of jean was very basic. Colour and texture of fabric was also poor quality. For the price I paid for them I don't mind, but why dont they say on the site if its not the same as you buy in the high street.

Certain T shirts, Ben Sherman, Levis are also poor quailty, yet they have all the appropriate labels and packaging. The material is that thin I'm scared to wash them incase they rip.

I appreciate you get what you pay for, but my question is, do companies like MandM and other big discount fashion stores, buy second grade clothing from Manufacturers?

Do manufacturers sell a cheaper product to retailers in some instances?

Thanks

laura-lovecat

I think they do get cheaper clothing from the manufacturers which maybe isn't up to the highest standards but still meets quality control. I think a lot of it is last seasons stock as well or stock that isn't selling as well. I've bought loads from M and M and sometimes the items just aren't quite "right" if you get my meaning, maybe just sized slightly off and such. I still love both retailers though so it doesn't stop me buying from them!

jenniewb

Its more likely they are buying their stock from the same companies. M and M direct charge more IMO and don't have as much variery as TKMaxx.

Froggitt

Many retailers now buy licenses from brandowners to manufacture stuff themselves (or more likely in China) that often isnt a patch on the proper stuff.

adelight

All TK Maxx stuff is genuine and unless stated specifically on the item, isn't a "factory second". They buy ends of lines and left over stock from various suppliers, factories and warehouses. Ex-catalogue stores tend to have items of more dubious quality, more returns and seconds.

jenniewb

Froggitt wrote: »

Many retailers now buy licenses from brandowners to manufacture stuff themselves (or more likely in China) that often isnt a patch on the proper stuff.

wow- didn't know this- do you know any specific brands? (so I can look out for them!)

DistortedVision

I didn't know this and it would explain why you only seem to get some product lines from a particular brand at one retailer. I've always wondered about that. Do you know if Sports Direct and Jacamo do this? All their prices are permanently discounted / 'on sale'.

Froggitt wrote: »

Many retailers now buy licenses from brandowners to manufacture stuff themselves (or more likely in China) that often isnt a patch on the proper stuff.

Froggitt

jenniewb wrote: »

wow- didn't know this- do you know any specific brands? (so I can look out for them!)

Distorted_Vision wrote: »

I didn't know this and it would explain why you only seem to get some product lines from a particular brand at one retailer. I've always wondered about that. Do you know if Sports Direct and Jacamo do this? All their prices are permanently discounted / 'on sale'.

Sports Direct was the one that sprang to mind first. My assumption was they when theyre knocking out Pierre Cardin, Calvin Klein and Lacoste shirts every week at 70% off in 200 stores, theyre not just buying leftovers (like TKM) from the brand owner, theyre licensing the brand and producing stuff themselves offshore.

They also have a predeliction for slurping up established and/or bust brands themselves, removing the need for any license arrangement.


From their website....

In order to complement its retail operations, in recent years the Group has acquired a number of internationally recognised sports and leisure brands, including Antigua, Carlton, Donnay, Dunlop, Kangol, Karrimor, LA Gear, Lillywhites, Lonsdale, No Fear, Slazenger and Voodoo Dolls.

The Group also licenses-in certain brands such as Arena, Diadora and Umbro

And heres an intereting quote from an ebay seller

The Karrimor packs that I have for sale are all genuine, quality packs produced by Karrimor in ‘the good old days’! Virtually all of the other packs for sale on eBay at the moment are produced by the downmarket sports shop ‘Sports World/Sports Direct’ (famous for cheap Donnay International clothing) under license from Karrimor. The build quality of these packs is disgraceful and not worthy of the Karrimor name and I would strongly advise people not to consider purchasing one. Models that they sell (i.e. to avoid) include the Offside 65, Airspace 25, Wind 25, Sprint 30, 20 plus 8, 20 Plus, Vault 20, Hydra8 15, Relay 10 (all rucksacks), Raid II 5 and Raid III 5 (Waist Pack/Bumbag) and Burn 40 (Holdall). There is also lots of cheap Karrimor branded clothing out there too so please be cautious when bidding.

eslick

sports direct own many of the sports brands,

• Antigua
• Carlton
• Dunlop
• Donnay
• GoldDigga
• Everlast
• Kangol
• Karrimor
• Lonsdale
• No Fear (outside North America)
• Slazenger
• Voodoo Dolls

Not sure if TK Maxx own another UK store group but in the US they are known as TJ Maxx and do own a similar type of store