European retail giant TK Maxx arrived in Canberra on Friday, taking over the two former Trade Secret stores at Woden Westfield and Fyshwick's Canberra Outlet Centre.
The international retailer is known for selling designer and big-name brands at discounted prices.
![European chain TK Maxx opens at Canberra Outlet Centre.](/web/20170507212014im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/z/7/j/q/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvyzeu.png/1493967866884.jpg)
"We're what's called an off-price retailer. So we're not a discount store, not a department store, not an outlet store. Off-price is really all about great brands, great quality, great fashion all at an incredible price," said TK Maxx spokesperson Tessa Buenen.
"And we're also about really fast-turning inventory so we get new deliveries with thousands of items in our stores every week."
Stock at each store changes constantly depending on what is sourced by the company's international team of buyers.
Designer labels at the Fyshwick store on opening day include Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Chloe, Stella McCartney and Louis Vuitton.
"We've got buyers out in the market all the time, which is a little bit different to other retailers. So they're really out there looking for great value or great deals in the market and they're all over the world," said Ms Buenen.
"So let's say a department store cancels an order, a manufacturer might make too much product or a vendor's got stock they want to clear at the end of the season, they go in, negotiate great value on that product and pass the savings on. And I think the benefit for us now is being part of this global organisation - we've got access to an enormous volume of vendors and product worldwide that we can bring into customers here in Australia which is great."
Parent company TJX, which also owns US chain TJ Maxx, bought Australian retailer Trade Secret in October 2015.
TJX operated the Trade Secret brand ever since, and started converting its Melbourne stores to TK Maxx last month.
Since then, 34 Trade Secret stores across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT have been converted to TK Maxx, and one additional store also opened in Victoria with plans for five more this year.
Both the Woden and Fyshwick stores stock fashion, shoes, accessories, homewares, cosmetics, children's clothing, toys, kitchenware and luggage.
And it's not just about designer goods - there are also international and Australian up-and-coming labels and more affordable brands.