The TJX Companies, Inc. Announces 17% Increase in Common Stock Dividend.

Business Editors

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003

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 17% to $.035 per share, or $.14 annually, from the previous quarterly rate of $.03 per share, or $.12 annually. Additionally, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend at the newly increased rate of $.035 per share, payable May 29, 2003, to shareholders of record as of May 8, 2003.

Edmond English, President and Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, "TJX has a long record of steady growth along with great financial strength. Our businesses produce significant returns on investment, which generate more than enough cash to fund our growth. Our Company has been consistently paying quarterly dividends since 1980. Fiscal 2003 was another year in which our Company posted solid results in a difficult retail environment. I am pleased that our Board of Directors has voted this dividend increase, reflecting our continued confidence in the strength of our Company and its value-oriented, 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 713 T.J. Maxx stores, 629 Marshalls, 142 HomeGoods and 75 A.J. Wright stores in the United States. In Canada, the Company operates 146 Winners and 15 HomeSense stores, and in Europe, 123 T.K. Maxx stores. TJX's press releases and financial information are also 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 including effects of wars, terrorist incidents and other military actions and consumer confidence, demand and preferences and weather patterns in the U.S., Canada and Europe; competitive factors, including continuing pressure from pricing and promotional activities of competitors; impact of excess retail capacity and the availability of desirable store locations on suitable terms; the availability, selection and purchasing of attractive merchandise on favorable terms; import risks, including potential disruptions and duties, tariffs and quotas on imported merchandise, including economic and political problems in countries from which merchandise is imported; currency and exchange rate factors in the Company's foreign and buying operations; risks in the development of new businesses and application of the Company's off-price strategies in foreign countries; factors affecting expenses including pressure on wages and benefits; acquisition and divestment activities; actual liability for Ames and House2Home, Inc. lease obligations; changes in laws and regulations; and other factors that 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.