HomeSense
 | |
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Canada and Europe |
Number of locations | Canada - 96(end of 2014),[1] Europe - 33 (end of 2014)[2] |
| Products | Bedding, furniture, and housewares. |
| Parent | TJX Companies |
| Website |
www.homesense.ca (Canada) |
HomeSense is a chain of off-price home furnishing stores operated by TJX Companies with stores in Canada and Europe.
HomeSense in Canada
As of 2014, HomeSense operates over 100 stores including its "Mega-stores" which include full Winners and HomeSense stores combined. The Canadian chain is similar to TJX's HomeGoods chain in the United States.
HomeSense operates along with Winners in Canada both of which share common ownership with TJX Companies.
Homesense specializes in home furnishings, selling products that range from low end to name brand. Prices tend to be competitive to account for minor defects or discontinued lines however they also carry products that are in excellent condition. Some of their items can also be found in other department stores.
HomeSense in Europe
In April 2008, TJX launched the HomeSense brand in the United Kingdom. The first store to open was in Poole, and this was closely followed by stores in Cardiff, Bristol, Gloucester, Northampton and Manchester followed by Thurrock in October 2008 and Cambridge in March 2009. By the end of 2009 HomeSense are operating 14 stores and have opened an additional 6 stores between August and November in Worcester, Birmingham, Preston, Romford, Staples Corner (London) and Nottingham. HomeSense have plans for approx 150 stores in the UK & Ireland over the next 5–7 years, and has alluded to expansion in continental Europe in the future. In 2010 HomeSense plans to open stores in Reading, Chichester, Tunbridge Wells, and Chester. The HomeSense flagship store is located in Westfield Merry Hill, Dudley, England, and opened in May 2010.
Throughout April and May 2009, the original launch stores received minor refurbishments to bring design and decoration into line with newer stores. This coincided with a relaunch of the company's website, and the adoption of a new slogan, "It makes perfect HomeSense". Prior to this, the slogan was "Unique Finds, Irresistible Prices". The results of a customer survey completed in 2009 showed a 100% recommendation rate from customers, something which had been targeted prior to the brands launch. Staff aprons, the most distinctive part of the uniform, partially change on a seasonal basis.
As part of TJX Europe's 'Real Responsibility' initiative, HomeSense has partnered with the homeless charity Emmaus. As well as donating unsold stock, the company has started selling jute bags for £1.99, of which at least 50p is donated to Emmaus. In 2009, the company also started selling Fairtrade cotton bags for 99p. The company does not give out any bags free in order to reduce its environmental footprint. Plastic bags come in 3 sizes and customers are charged 10p for the medium and large sized bags and 15p for the extra large. The revenue gained is used to cover the cost of manufacturing the bags with any remaining sum donated to The Woodland Trust; HomeSense does not therefore profit from the sale of its plastic bags.
By the end of the financial year 2009/10 HomeSense estimates it will have sales of £270m, a 40% increase on the previous year. By the end of fiscal year 14 they expect to be one of the largest home and gift retailers in Europe.