We visited a Ross and a TJ Maxx and while the former was far messier, both showed why discount shopping is the future of retail

First we checked out a TJ Maxx in Manhattan's Financial District.

We walked into a clothing section first, where we noticed that the store's design blended casual with sophisticated.

Most of the clothing section was packed with racks arranged by size and style.

The racks of clothes were slightly overwhelming, but they were pretty organized for the most part.

And the prices were great. This t-shirt was less than $5.

It wasn't hard to find some name-brand items that also had great prices. This Vineyard Vines t-shirt was less than $40.

In the TJ Maxx Runway section, there were some items on the more expensive side. This pink fluffy dress was $699.99.

But most of the store was characterized by jaw-dropping bargains, like these $49.99 pink gowns.

There was also a great selection of designer purses and bags. This Dooney & Bourke bag was only $99.99.

There were a lot of options in the shoe section, which was organized for the most part.

And there were various sections filled with different home goods throughout the store.

A lot of cute items jumped out at us, like this Coca Cola tub for $129.99.

We found more home goods scattered throughout the store, including scented candles ...

... wicker baskets ...

... and picture frames.

We were impressed at the charming and organized displays for home goods, which we didn't expect for an off-price retailer.

Overall, TJ Maxx seemed to sell everything — even food.

We felt that TJ Maxx delivered on its motto of keeping standards high and spending low. We didn't have to compromise quality for value.

We also stopped by a Ross store in Davie, Florida.

At the front of the store, we could opt for a classic blue shopping cart or one of these smaller baskets to hold our items.

We visited around the holidays, so there were some tables stocked with different toys.

Like TJ Maxx, Ross was highlighting its inventory of designer brands for less.

The women's shoe section was mostly organized.

And we found some popular, name-brand shoes here, like these Adidas sneakers.

Nearby, we found a large section of bath and body goods.

But we were quickly distracted by a display of bags and purses that included a lot of designer options.

This Tommy Hilfiger bag, originally marked at $78, was going for just $19.99.

We made our way through the store and found a jewelry counter with some eye-catching items behind a glass display.

It didn't take long for us to realize that Ross, like TJ Maxx, also organized its clothes on long, crowded racks.

The racks were organized by size and style and it seemed impossible to search through it all.

But the value was still unbeatable. We found this silver Adrianna Papell gown for just $29.99, originally marked at $199.

Some areas of the store left a lot to be desired in terms of cleanliness.

And in one area, the shelves were practically empty.

A lot of areas weren't arranged as nicely as they had been at TJ Maxx. Still, we were impressed with the variety of offerings in the store.

Ross sold everything from artwork ...

... to food ...

... to home goods.

Almost every item listed an original price next to Ross' marked down listing price, which made us feel better about the value we were getting.

The checkout lines seemed to move rather quickly, which was a pleasant way to end our visit.

Even though Ross was slightly more disorganized than TJ Maxx, the value and variety offered at both stores made it clear why shoppers are choosing off-price chains.