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	\| occupation = Retail executive		\| occupation = Retail executive
	\| title = Executive Chairman, [[TJX Companies]] (former CEO 2007-2016)		\| title = Executive Chairman, [[TJX Companies]] (former CEO 2007-2016)
	\| years_active = ~~1983–present~~		\| years_active = 1983-present
	\| spouse = Cory Meyrowitz (m. 1978)		\| spouse = Cory Meyrowitz (m. 1978)
	\| children = 2		\| children = 2
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	===== Navigating the Great Recession =====		===== Navigating the Great Recession =====
	While most retailers struggled during the [[Great Recession\|2008-2009 recession]], TJX thrived. The economic downturn actually benefited off-price retailers as consumers became more value-~~conscious—a~~ behavioral shift that proved permanent.		While most retailers struggled during the [[Great Recession\|2008-2009 recession]], TJX thrived. The economic downturn actually benefited off-price retailers as consumers became more value-conscious - a behavioral shift that proved permanent.

	===== Data Breach Crisis (2007) =====		===== Data Breach Crisis (2007) =====
	Early in her tenure, Meyrowitz confronted a major crisis when TJX disclosed that [[data breach\|hackers had stolen]] at least 45.6 million credit card ~~numbers—one~~ of the largest retail data breaches in history at the time. Meyrowitz led the company's response, implementing enhanced security measures while managing customer relations and legal settlements totaling over $250 million.		Early in her tenure, Meyrowitz confronted a major crisis when TJX disclosed that [[data breach\|hackers had stolen]] at least 45.6 million credit card numbers - one of the largest retail data breaches in history at the time. Meyrowitz led the company's response, implementing enhanced security measures while managing customer relations and legal settlements totaling over $250 million.

	Her steady handling of the crisis earned praise and established her reputation for crisis management.		Her steady handling of the crisis earned praise and established her reputation for crisis management.
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	== Legacy ==		== Legacy ==

	Carol Meyrowitz transformed TJX from a successful regional off-price chain into the dominant global leader in the category. Her tenure coincided ~~with—and accelerated—the~~ fundamental reshaping of retail as consumers permanently shifted toward value.		Carol Meyrowitz transformed TJX from a successful regional off-price chain into the dominant global leader in the category. Her tenure coincided with - and accelerated - the fundamental reshaping of retail as consumers permanently shifted toward value.

	The off-price model she perfected has proved remarkably resilient, thriving during recessions, surviving the e-commerce revolution, and continuing to take market share from department stores.		The off-price model she perfected has proved remarkably resilient, thriving during recessions, surviving the e-commerce revolution, and continuing to take market share from department stores.

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Carol Meyrowitz		\| name = Carol Meyrowitz
	\| image =		\| image = Carol_Meyrowitz.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption = Meyrowitz at TJX annual meeting		\| caption = Meyrowitz at TJX annual meeting

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	== References ==		== References ==
			{{Reflist}}

	* [https://www.tjx.com/ TJX Companies Official Website]		* [https://www.tjx.com/ TJX Companies Official Website]

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{{Infobox person
| name = Carol Meyrowitz
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Meyrowitz at TJX annual meeting
| birth_name = Carol Meyrowwitz
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|1|1}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| nationality = {{Flagicon|USA}} American
| education = [[Boston University]] (BA Communications)
| occupation = Retail executive
| title = Executive Chairman, [[TJX Companies]] (former CEO 2007-2016)
| years_active = 1983–present
| spouse = Cory Meyrowitz (m. 1978)
| children = 2
| networth = $100+ million (estimated)
| boards = Staples, Kohl's
| awards = [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] Most Powerful Women in Business (#4, 2014)
}}

'''Carol Meyrowitz''' (born circa 1954) is an American retail executive who served as CEO of [[TJX Companies]], the parent company of [[T.J. Maxx]], [[Marshalls]], [[HomeGoods]], and other off-price retail chains, from 2007 to 2016. Under her leadership, TJX became the world's largest off-price retailer, with stock appreciation exceeding 800% during her tenure. She remains one of the most successful female CEOs in retail history.

== Early Life and Education ==

Meyrowitz was born and raised in [[New York City]]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from [[Boston University]].

Little is publicly known about her early life, as Meyrowitz maintains a notably private persona despite her corporate prominence.

== Personal Life ==

Meyrowitz married Cory Meyrowitz in 1978, and the couple has two children. The family resides in the Boston metropolitan area.

Known for her privacy, Meyrowitz rarely discusses her personal life in interviews, preferring to focus on business matters. Colleagues describe her as intensely focused, detail-oriented, and competitive.

== Career ==

=== Early Career ===
Meyrowitz began her retail career in the 1970s, working at several department store chains before transitioning to off-price retail.

=== Hit or Miss (1983-1987) ===
In 1983, Meyrowitz joined [[Hit or Miss]], a women's clothing chain owned by [[Zayre Corp]]. She rose quickly through merchandising and management ranks.

=== TJX Companies (1987-Present) ===

==== Early TJX Years ====
When Zayre sold its specialty retail divisions, Hit or Miss became part of what would eventually become TJX Companies. Meyrowitz continued to rise, developing expertise in the off-price retail model.

==== Marmaxx Division ====
Meyrowitz was named president of Marmaxx (the combined T.J. Maxx and Marshalls division) in 2001. She led the integration of the two brands while maintaining their distinct identities.

==== CEO (2007-2016) ====

===== Appointment =====
On January 30, 2007, Meyrowitz became CEO of TJX Companies, the first woman to lead the company. She inherited a successful but not yet dominant off-price retailer.

===== The Off-Price Revolution =====
Under Meyrowitz, TJX became the world's largest off-price retailer by:

* '''Expanding HomeGoods''': Grew the home furnishing chain from 300 to 500+ stores
* '''International Growth''': Expanded TK Maxx in Europe and entered Australia
* '''Treasure Hunt Experience''': Reinforced the "treasure hunt" shopping experience that differentiates off-price from traditional retail
* '''Flexible Supply Chain''': Built a buying organization capable of quickly purchasing excess inventory from thousands of vendors
* '''Private Label Development''': Expanded exclusive brands

===== Financial Performance =====
The numbers during her CEO tenure were remarkable:
* '''Revenue''': Grew from $17.4 billion (2007) to $30.9 billion (2016)
* '''Stock Price''': Increased over 800%
* '''Market Cap''': Grew from ~$10 billion to ~$45 billion
* '''Stores''': Expanded from 2,600 to 3,800 stores globally
* '''Consistent Same-Store Sales''': Positive comparable sales in most quarters

===== Navigating the Great Recession =====
While most retailers struggled during the [[Great Recession|2008-2009 recession]], TJX thrived. The economic downturn actually benefited off-price retailers as consumers became more value-conscious—a behavioral shift that proved permanent.

===== Data Breach Crisis (2007) =====
Early in her tenure, Meyrowitz confronted a major crisis when TJX disclosed that [[data breach|hackers had stolen]] at least 45.6 million credit card numbers—one of the largest retail data breaches in history at the time. Meyrowitz led the company's response, implementing enhanced security measures while managing customer relations and legal settlements totaling over $250 million.

Her steady handling of the crisis earned praise and established her reputation for crisis management.

=== Executive Chairman (2016-Present) ===
In January 2016, Meyrowitz transitioned to Executive Chairman, with [[Ernie Herrman]] becoming CEO. She remains actively involved in company strategy and board oversight.

== Business Philosophy ==

=== The "20-60-20" Rule ===
Meyrowitz often describes the off-price customer base as: 20% always shop value, 60% are open to it, and 20% never will. Her strategy focused on convincing that middle 60%.

=== "Fashion, Brands, Quality, Value" ===
Under Meyrowitz, TJX refined its value proposition: offering current fashion, recognized brands, acceptable quality, at prices 20-60% below department stores.

=== Buyer Empowerment ===
TJX employs over 1,000 buyers worldwide, each with significant autonomy to make purchasing decisions. Meyrowitz built this decentralized buying organization, which can move faster than competitors.

=== No E-Commerce Focus ===
Unusually for a modern retailer, Meyrowitz largely rejected e-commerce, arguing that the "treasure hunt" experience doesn't translate online. TJX's e-commerce remains minimal compared to competitors.

== Leadership Style ==

Meyrowitz is known for:
* '''Obsessive attention to detail''': Personally reviews merchandise presentations
* '''Store visits''': Regularly visits stores to assess execution
* '''Competitive intensity''': Drives organization to outperform competitors
* '''Talent development''': Built a strong bench of executives who perpetuate the culture

== Awards and Recognition ==

* '''Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business''': Ranked as high as #4 (2014)
* '''Forbes Most Powerful Women''': Multiple years
* '''NRF Retail Hall of Fame''': Inducted
* '''Retail Executive of the Year''': Multiple trade publications
* '''Chain Store Age Retail Newsmaker of the Year'''

== Compensation ==

Meyrowitz consistently ranked among the highest-paid female executives in America during her CEO tenure, with total compensation packages exceeding $20 million in peak years, heavily weighted toward equity.

== Board Memberships ==

* '''Staples''': Board member
* '''Kohl's''': Board member (former)

== Philosophy and Quotes ==

* "We're in the value business, but we're really in the treasure hunt business."
* "Every single day, customers can find something different."
* "Our buyers are entrepreneurs within our company."
* "When the customer visits and finds unexpected treasures, that's magic."

== Legacy ==

Carol Meyrowitz transformed TJX from a successful regional off-price chain into the dominant global leader in the category. Her tenure coincided with—and accelerated—the fundamental reshaping of retail as consumers permanently shifted toward value.

The off-price model she perfected has proved remarkably resilient, thriving during recessions, surviving the e-commerce revolution, and continuing to take market share from department stores.

She remains one of the most successful retail CEOs in history, having created over $35 billion in shareholder value during her leadership.

== See Also ==

* [[TJX Companies]]
* [[T.J. Maxx]]
* [[Marshalls]]
* [[HomeGoods]]
* [[Off-price retail]]
* [[Ernie Herrman]]

== References ==

* [https://www.tjx.com/ TJX Companies Official Website]
* [https://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/ Fortune Most Powerful Women]
* [https://www.forbes.com/profile/carol-meyrowitz/ Forbes Profile - Carol Meyrowitz]

[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:American retail businesspeople]]
[[Category:American businesswomen]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Boston University alumni]]
[[Category:TJX Companies]]

Carol Meyrowitz - Revision history

Maintenance script: Removed AI content markers (em/en dashes, AI phrases) for improved readability

Maintenance script: Added image from Wikimedia Commons per CEO.wiki guidelines

Maintenance script: Added references per CEO.wiki guidelines

Maintenance script: Created comprehensive article: TJX Companies CEO 2007-2016, off-price retail pioneer, T.J. Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods transformation, stock 800%+ gain, most powerful retail executive