4 Marshalls Items Retirees Need To Buy Ahead of Fall

Marshalls’ unique business model allows the chain to offer deep discounts to its loyal customers. It acquires irregular items, closeouts and excess inventory below wholesale cost and sells its merchandise at a fraction of the retail price. Along with its sister brand TJ Maxx, it’s America’s largest off-price retailer of apparel and home goods in the U.S.

For context as to how much you stand to save by shopping there, Marshalls includes “compare at” prices with many of its product listings. It describes them as “references to regular retail prices of the same or similar items at full-price department or specialty retailers. Where identical items are not available, we compare to products of a similar type, quality and style.”

Marshalls is currently offering deals on a wide range of must-have fall items in anticipation of autumn — and retirees on fixed incomes stand to benefit more than anyone from saving money in the runup to the expensive holiday season. Here are the items they should snag before the official start of fall.

•   Price: $29.99
• “Compare at” price: $45

If an understated but elegant wooden hanging sign matches your retirement home’s fall motif, Marshalls has a great price on a piece of seasonal décor that might be the only autumn decoration you need.

Measuring nine inches wide by 60 inches tall — that’s five full feet of fall festivity — the simple and sturdy wooden sign is fashioned from three planks and emblazoned with the words “Hello Fall.” Keeping in line with the season’s traditional colors, the first word is in deep brown cursive script, and the second is in burnt orange block print. You can hang it or simply lean it against a wall, inside or out, and with proper care, this durable décor should last for many falls to come.

• Price: $19.99
• “Compare at” price: $40

With chilly weather approaching, a pair of cushy, cozy slippers is a must for seniors who retire in climates with cold winters. Ugg is one of the biggest names in the fluffy-feet business, but these premium sherpa-style slippers with outdoor-worthy soles aren’t cheap — and this Marshalls “compare at” price seems to be overly generous.

Instead of $20 or even $40, the Koolaburra site sells them directly for $65. On Amazon, they’re $70 — more than three times what you’ll pay for the same fluffy footwear at Marshalls.

• Price: $59.99
• “Compare at” price: $100

The classic denim jacket is the most timeless piece of fall outerwear ever devised. Carhartt is known for comfort and quality that will last — which is good for retirees on fixed incomes who don’t want to waste money by replacing worn-out apparel that dies before its time. This sherpa-lined version is heavy enough for the chilliest fall weather and even mild winter days and nights — but jeans jackets are a get-what-you-pay-for proposition.

Marshalls says you should expect to pay $40 more at retail price for this zipper-and-button combo fleece-lined jacket with hand-warmer pockets, but Carhartt sells them directly for $120 — double what Marshalls charges.

• Price: $72
• “Compare at” price: $160

Hitting the road (or skies) is one of the great joys of retirement — and the first day of autumn signals the start of the busy fall and winter travel season. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll need luggage that will last for life, no matter the rigors of the airport or your car’s trunk, and Marshalls has you covered with a roomy but manageable 24-inch hardside suitcase with a telescoping, retractable handle, eight wheels and 360-degree rotation.

Other handy features include a TSA-approved combination lock, side and top carry handles, an expandable, fully lined interior, four interior pockets, interior compression straps and an inside zippered divider.

It’s already selling for $18 less than its original price, which was $89.99, as part of a Marshalls clearance sale, which means it’s less than half the price of what you should expect to spend for the same thing at a department store.