Ross vs. Marshalls vs. Burlington: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

While Ross, Marshalls, and Burlington are all major off-price retailers with similar business models, they cater to distinctly different shopping preferences. Ross is known for its "treasure hunt" experience and often the deepest discounts, Marshalls offers a more curated, fashion-forward selection in a cleaner environment, and Burlington stands out with its vast inventory and a wide variety of product categories like home and baby goods.

Let's compare everything you need to know to decide which off-price giant is the right fit for your shopping list.

Ross: The Ultimate Treasure Hunt

Ross Dress for Less is the gold standard for shoppers who prioritize price above all else. Its entire experience is built around the thrill of digging for deeply discounted brand-name goods. Targeting budget-conscious consumers, Ross delivers a high-turnover inventory of clothing, accessories, and home items where finding a gem requires patience but offers a big reward.

• Product mix: A wide range of men's, women's, and children's clothing, footwear, accessories, and home decor. The selection emphasizes practical, everyday brands over high-fashion labels.
• Price point: Renowned for offering some of the lowest prices and deepest discounts, often claiming 20-70% off original retail. It's the go-to for bargain hunters seeking maximum savings.
• Shopping experience: The definitive "treasure hunt." Stores can be crowded and disorganized, requiring shoppers to sift through packed racks to find deals. It has a very limited online presence, focusing almost entirely on the in-store experience.
• Store layout: Less structured than its competitors, with minimal merchandising. This contributes to the feeling of "digging" for deals but can be overwhelming for those seeking a quick trip.
• Return policy: Typically offers a 30-day return window for new, unworn merchandise with tags attached and a receipt.

Ross is unmatched for the shopper who loves the thrill of the hunt and wants the absolute lowest possible price on brand-name essentials.

Shop Ross: rossstores.com

Marshalls: Fashion-Forward Finds at a Discount

As part of the same parent company as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls serves a more fashion-conscious customer looking for trendy, brand-name, and sometimes designer products without the full price tag. While still an off-price retailer, it provides a more organized and curated feel than Ross, making the shopping experience feel more like a traditional department store.

• Product mix: Offers a strong selection of current-season apparel, shoes, and handbags. It also features notable "Cube" sections for trendier junior items and has a robust beauty section with high-quality skincare and makeup often not found at its competitors.
• Price point: Discounts range from 20-60%. Prices can be slightly higher than at Ross, but this often reflects a more curated selection of higher-demand brands and more recent styles.
• Shopping experience: Stores are typically cleaner, better lit, and more organized by size and category. This makes browsing easier and less chaotic. Marshalls also has a functional online shopping site, which sets it apart from Ross.
• Store layout: Merchandise is often grouped by brand and style, with clear displays for accessories and beauty products, providing a more structured shopping trip.
• Return policy: A 30-day return policy is standard for most items with a receipt, online purchases can sometimes be returned in-store.

Marshalls is ideal for the style-savvy shopper who wants discounted, on-trend pieces and values a more organized store and an online shopping option.

Shop Marshalls: marshalls.com

Burlington: Massive Variety at Low Prices

Originally known as a coat factory, Burlington has evolved into a massive off-price retailer focused on providing an enormous variety of products for the entire family under one roof. While its apparel prices are highly competitive with Ross, its key differentiator is the sheer breadth of its inventory, especially in non-clothing categories like home goods, baby gear, and, of course, coats.

• Product mix: An extensive selection of clothing for all ages, shoes, accessories, linens, home decor, cookware, and a large department for baby furniture and supplies. The coat selection remains a major draw during colder months.
• Price point: Very competitive, with discounts of 20-70% that often match or beat competitors. The focus is on delivering across-the-board value.
• Shopping experience: Stores are large and have a straightforward, no-frills feel that prioritizes product quantity over sophisticated merchandising. It’s less cluttered than Ross but less styled than Marshalls. Burlington also has a good e-commerce site for online browsing and purchasing.
• Store layout: Typically warehouse-style, with wide aisles and clearly marked departments, making it easy to navigate to the section you're looking for.
• Return policy: Offers 30-day returns for new, unworn merchandise with the original receipt and tags attached.

Burlington is the perfect destination for one-stop family shopping, offering a vast assortment of products at consistently low prices.

Shop Burlington: burlington.com

Ross vs. Marshalls vs. Burlington Comparison

Price Comparison

When it comes to the lowest price tag, Ross often wins. Shoppers dedicated to finding the absolute rock-bottom price will consistently find it there, especially on clothing, shoes, and everyday housewares. The trade-off is often in the effort required to find those deals amidst disorganized racks.

Burlington is extremely competitive with Ross on pure pricing and often has a better-organized environment for a similar cost. Marshalls, meanwhile, typically positions itself slightly higher. While the discounts are still significant, you might pay a few dollars more for a trendier dress or a well-known beauty brand, with the value proposition being both the savings and the curated product quality.

Style & Product Selection

This is where the differences become most apparent. Marshalls is the clear leader for fashion and trend-focused items. Its buyers aim to secure current, stylish apparel, accessories, and beauty products, making it the top choice for shoppers wanting to stay on trend affordably.

Ross’s selection feels more eclectic and random - a true mix of past-season items, brand overstocks, and basics. It is less about finding a specific style and more about stumbling onto an unexpected deal. Burlington's strength is its unmatched variety. While it has plenty of apparel, its home, baby, and coat departments are often larger and more comprehensive than those at either competitor.

Shopping Experience (In-Store & Online)

Your preference here depends on your shopping personality. If you love the thrill of the hunt, Ross provides an unfiltered digging experience. Shoppers must be prepared for crowded stores and a general lack of organization.

Marshalls offers a much more relaxed and orderly in-store experience with clean floors, better lighting, and neatly arranged departments. This makes for a less stressful trip. Burlington sits in the middle, it's a large, warehouse-style layout that is organized departmentally but lacks the polished, boutique feel of Marshalls.

When it comes to online shopping, Ross barely participates, while both Marshalls and Burlington have robust websites that allow you to browse and purchase items from the comfort of your home.

Return Policies

The return policies for all three retailers are nearly identical and straightforward. Each generally offers a 30-day window for returns of new, unused merchandise as long as you have the original receipt and tags are still attached. Because their inventory turns over so quickly, none of them offer exchanges. Instead, you'll receive a refund and can repurchase another item if you wish. This similarity means return policy is not a major factor when deciding where to shop.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best off-price retailer for you depends entirely on your shopping priorities and style.

Choose Ross if:

• Your primary goal is to find the absolute lowest price possible.
• You genuinely enjoy the "thrill of the hunt" and have the time to search for deals.
• You are stocking up on everyday household goods and don't need the latest trends.
• You will only be shopping in-store.

Choose Marshalls if:

• You want to find fashionable, on-trend clothes, accessories, and shoes at a discount.
• A clean, organized store environment is important for your shopping experience.
• You're looking for discounted name-brand beauty and skincare products.
• You want the option to shop online as well as in-store.

Choose Burlington if:

• You're doing a big shop and need items from a wide variety of categories.
• You are specifically shopping for coats, baby gear, or home goods.
• You appreciate competitively low prices in a slightly less chaotic environment than Ross.
• You want the convenience of a good online store for browsing and shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Ross, Burlington, or Marshalls?

Generally, Ross is considered the cheapest, known for offering the deepest markdowns. Burlington is a very close second, with pricing that is highly competitive with Ross. Marshalls tends to be slightly more expensive, but this is often because it carries more contemporary and higher-demand brands.

Does Ross, Marshalls, or Burlington have better quality brands?

Marshalls often has a reputation for carrying slightly better quality or more desirable designer brands, particularly in their handbag, footwear, and apparel sections. However, great brands can be found at all three stores, it just requires a bit more searching at Ross and Burlington.

Which store is the most organized?

Marshalls is hands-down the most organized. Its stores are cleaner, aisles are clearer, and merchandise is more thoughtfully arranged by size and category, making for a much easier and more pleasant browsing experience.

Can I shop at Ross online?

No, Ross has a very limited online presence and does not offer e-commerce. Its business model is built entirely around the in-store "treasure hunt" experience.

Is Marshalls owned by TJX, similar to T.J. Maxx?

Yes. Although their product selection can differ, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx are sister stores both owned by The TJX Companies. Burlington, in contrast, is its own company and not affiliated with TJX.

Which store has a bigger home goods section?

Burlington typically has the largest and most diverse home sections, including linens, home decor, kitchenware, and small furniture. While Ross and Marshalls also have home departments, Burlington's are often greater.

Are return policies similar across all three stores?

Yes, all three have very similar 30-day return policies for unused merchandise with a receipt and tags attached. Always check the receipt at the time of purchase as policies can change.

Which store is better for shopping for kids?

Burlington is often a top choice for parents due to its large selection of baby gear and clothing for all age groups. Its one-stop shopping environment makes it convenient to cover everything from basics to furniture.