The TJX Companies, Inc. Announces 12.5% Increase in Common Stock Dividend

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2001--The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX), the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the Company's regular quarterly dividend on its common stock by 12.5% to $.045 per share, or $.18 annually, from the previous quarterly rate of $.04 per share, or $.16 annually. Additionally, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend at the newly increased rate of $.045 per share, payable May 31, 2001, to shareholders of record as of May 10, 2001.

Edmond English, President and Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc. stated, "Fiscal 2001 was a year of solid performance for The TJX Companies in a difficult retail environment. I am pleased that the Board of Directors has voted this dividend increase, which reflects our continued confidence in the strength of our Company and our off-price concept."

The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates 662 T.J. Maxx, 544 Marshalls, 88 HomeGoods and 27 A.J. Wright stores in the United States. In Canada, the Company operates 119 Winners and, in Europe, 76 T.K. Maxx stores. TJX's press releases and financial information are available on the Internet at www.tjx.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: general economic conditions and consumer demand and preferences; weather patterns in areas where the Company has concentrations of stores; competitive factors, including pressure from pricing and promotional activities of competitors; the impact of excess retail capacity and the availability of desirable store and distribution center locations on suitable terms; recruiting quality sales associates; the availability, selection and purchasing of attractive merchandise on favorable terms; potential disruptions in supply and duties, tariffs and quotas on imported merchandise, as well as economic and political problems in countries from which merchandise is imported; currency and exchange rate factors in foreign operations; expansion of the Company's store base, development of new businesses and application of the Company's off-price strategies in foreign countries; the Company's acquisition and divestiture activities; and other factors that are or may be described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.