<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.1


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF APRIL 5, 2005

                BETWEEN ARNOLD BARRON AND THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
<PAGE>
                                     INDEX                                  PAGE
                                     -----                                  ----



1.    EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT......................................1

2.    SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT....................................................1

3.    COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS..............................................2

4.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL..................................3

5.    BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON
      EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT............................................3

6.    OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.....................5

7.    BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL........................................6

8.    AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE....................................6

9.    ASSIGNMENT.............................................................7

10.   NOTICES................................................................7

11.   WITHHOLDING; CERTAIN TAX MATTERS.......................................8

12.   GOVERNING LAW..........................................................8

13.   ARBITRATION............................................................8

14.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.......................................................8

EXHIBIT A  Certain Definitions.............................................A-1

EXHIBIT B  Definition of "Change of Control"...............................B-1

EXHIBIT C  Change of Control Benefits......................................C-1


                                       -i-
<PAGE>
                                                                   ARNOLD BARRON




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      AGREEMENT dated as of April 5, 2005 between ARNOLD BARRON ("Executive")
and The TJX Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation whose principal office is in
Framingham, Massachusetts 01701 (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

      The Company and Executive intend that Executive shall serve the Company as
Senior Executive Vice President, Group President on the terms set forth below
and, to that end, deem it desirable and appropriate to enter into this
Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

      The parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter
contained, agree as follows:

      1. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall become
effective as of April 5, 2005 (the "Effective Date"). Executive's employment
shall continue on the terms provided herein until April 4, 2008 (the "End
Date"), subject to earlier termination as provided herein (such period of
employment hereinafter called the "Employment Period").

      2. SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT.

      (a) Nature of Services. Executive shall diligently perform the duties and
responsibilities of Senior Executive Vice President, Group President and such
additional executive duties and responsibilities as shall from time to time be
assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer.

      (b) Extent of Services. Except for illnesses and vacation periods,
Executive shall devote substantially all his working time and attention and his
best efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement. However, Executive may (i) make any passive investments where he is
not obligated or required to, and shall not in fact, devote any managerial
efforts, (ii) participate in charitable or community activities or in trade or
professional organizations, or (iii) subject to Board approval (which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or withdrawn), hold directorships in public
companies, except only that the Board shall have the right to limit such
services as a director or such participation whenever the Board shall believe
that the time spent on such activities infringes in any material respect upon
the time required by Executive for the performance of his duties under this
Agreement or is otherwise incompatible with those duties.
<PAGE>
      3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

      (a) Base Salary. Executive shall be paid a base salary at the rate
hereinafter specified, such Base Salary to be paid in the same manner and at the
same times as the Company shall pay base salary to other executive employees.
The rate at which Executive's Base Salary shall be paid shall be $675,000 per
year or at such other rate (not less than $675,000 per year) as the Board may
determine after Board review not less frequently than annually.

      (b) Existing Awards. Reference is made to outstanding awards of stock
options and of performance-based restricted stock made prior to the Effective
Date under the Company's Stock Incentive Plan (including any successor, the
"Stock Incentive Plan"), to the award opportunity granted to Executive for FYE
2005 under the Company's Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") and to award
opportunities granted to Executive under the Company's Long Range Performance
Incentive Plan ("LRPIP") for cycles beginning before the Effective Date and
ending after the Effective Date. Each of such awards shall continue for such
period or periods and in accordance with such terms as are set out in the grant
and other governing documents relating to such awards and shall not be affected
by the terms of this Agreement except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

      (c) New Stock Awards. Consistent with the terms of the Stock Incentive
Plan, Executive will be entitled to stock-based awards under the Stock Incentive
Plan at levels commensurate with his position and responsibilities.

      (d) LRPIP. During the Employment Period, Executive will be eligible to
participate in annual grants under LRPIP at a level commensurate with his
position and responsibilities and subject to such terms as shall be established
by the Committee.

      (e) MIP. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to
participate in annual grants under MIP at a level commensurate with his position
and responsibilities and subject to such terms as shall be established by the
Committee.

      (f) Qualified Plans; Other Deferred Compensation Plans. Executive shall be
entitled during the Employment Period to participate in the Company's
tax-qualified retirement and profit-sharing plans and its nonqualified deferred
compensation plans, including the GDCP and ESP, in each case in accordance with
the terms of the applicable plan but subject to the following sentence. Except
as provided in Exhibit C ("Change of Control Benefits") and this subsection (f),
Executive is entitled to Category B benefits determined and made payable in
accordance with the generally applicable provisions of the Company's
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"); provided, that Executive shall
at all times have a fully vested right to his accrued benefit, including any
future accruals, under SERP based on his actual years of service.

      (g) Policies and Fringe Benefits. Executive shall be subject to Company
policies applicable to its executives generally and shall be entitled to receive
all such fringe benefits as the Company shall from time to time make available
to other executives generally (subject to the terms of any applicable fringe
benefit plan). Without limiting the foregoing, Executive shall be


                                       -2-
<PAGE>
entitled during the Employment Period and thereafter to the extent provided
herein to a Level 5 leased automobile.

      4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL.

      (a) The Company shall have the right to end Executive's employment at any
time and for any reason, with or without Cause.

      (b) The Employment Period shall terminate when Executive becomes Disabled.
In addition, if by reason of Incapacity Executive is unable to perform his
duties for at least six continuous months, upon written notice by the Company to
Executive the Employment Period will be terminated for Incapacity.

      (c) Whenever the Employment Period shall terminate, Executive shall resign
all offices or other positions he shall hold with the Company and any affiliated
corporations.

      5. BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON
EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

      (a) Certain Terminations Prior to the End Date. If the Employment Period
shall have terminated prior to the End Date by reason of (i) death, Disability
or Incapacity of Executive, (ii) termination by the Company for any reason other
than Cause or (iii) termination by Executive in the event that (A) Executive is
required to report other than to the Chief Executive Officer, or (B) Executive
is relocated more than forty (40) miles from the current corporate headquarters
of the Company, in either case without his prior written consent (a
"Constructive Termination"), then all compensation and benefits for Executive
shall be as follows:

            (i) For the longer of one year following the Date of Termination or
      the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the End
      Date (such one-year or other period being herein referred to as the
      "termination period"), the Company will pay to Executive or his legal
      representative continued Base Salary at the rate in effect at termination
      of employment, subject to the following:

                  (A) If Executive is eligible for long-term disability
            compensation benefits under the Company's long-term disability plan,
            the amount payable under this clause shall be paid at a rate equal
            to the excess of (I) the rate of Base Salary in effect at
            termination of employment, over (II) the long-term disability
            compensation benefits for which Executive is eligible under such
            plan.

                  (B) Payments pursuant to this clause (a)(i) shall be paid for
            the first twelve (12) months of the termination period without
            reduction for compensation earned from other employment or
            self-employment, and shall thereafter be reduced by such
            compensation received by Executive from other employment or
            self-employment.

            (ii) Until the expiration of the termination period as defined at
      (a)(i) above and subject to such minimum coverage-continuation
      requirements as may be required by law,


                                       -3-
<PAGE>
      the Company will provide (except to the extent that Executive shall obtain
      no less favorable coverage from another employer or from self-employment)
      such medical and hospital insurance and term life insurance for Executive
      and his family, comparable to the insurance provided for executives
      generally, as the Company shall determine, and upon the same terms and
      conditions as the same shall be provided for other Company executives
      generally; provided, however, that in no event shall such benefits or the
      terms and conditions thereof be less favorable to Executive than those
      afforded to him as of the Date of Termination; and further provided, that
      to the extent it is impossible or impracticable to provide any such
      coverage to Executive under the Company's then existing employee benefit
      plans or arrangements, the Company shall arrange for alternate comparable
      coverage or, if such alternate coverage is not available, shall pay to
      Executive the cost of such coverage, all as reasonably determined by the
      Committee.

            (iii) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal representative,
      without offset for compensation earned from other employment or
      self-employment, (A) any unpaid amounts to which Executive is entitled
      under MIP for the fiscal year of the Company ended immediately prior to
      Executive's termination of employment, plus (B) any unpaid amounts owing
      with respect to LRPIP cycles in which Executive participated and which
      were completed prior to termination. These amounts will be paid at the
      same time as other awards for such prior year or cycle are paid.

            (iv) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal representative,
      without offset for compensation earned from other employment or
      self-employment, an amount equal to the sum of (A) Executive's MIP Target
      Award, if any, for the year of termination, multiplied by a formula the
      numerator of which is three hundred and sixty-five (365) plus the number
      of days during such year prior to termination, and the denominator of
      which is seven hundred and thirty (730), plus, (B) with respect to each
      LRPIP cycle in which Executive participated and which had not ended prior
      to termination of employment, 1/36 of an amount equal to Executive's LRPIP
      Target Award for such cycle multiplied by the number of full months in
      such cycle completed prior to termination of employment. The amount
      described in clause (a)(iv)(A) above will be paid not later than MIP
      awards for the year of termination are paid. The amount described in
      clause (a)(iv)(B) above, to the extent measured by the LRPIP Target Award
      for any cycle, will be paid not later than the date on which LRPIP awards
      for such cycle are paid or would have been paid.

            (v) In addition, Executive or his legal representative shall be
      entitled to the Stock Incentive Plan benefits described in Section 3(b)
      (Existing Awards) and Section 3(c) (New Stock Awards), in each case in
      accordance with and subject to the terms of the applicable arrangement,
      and to the payment of his vested benefits under the plans described in
      Section 3(f) (Qualified Plans; Other Deferred Compensation Plans).

            (vi) If termination occurs by reason of Incapacity or Disability,
      Executive shall also be entitled to such compensation, if any, as is
      payable pursuant to the Company's long-term disability plan. If for any
      period Executive receives long-term disability compensation payments under
      a long-term disability plan of the Company as well as


                                       -4-
<PAGE>
      payments under (a)(i) above, and if the sum of such payments (the
      "combined salary/disability benefit") exceeds the payment for such period
      to which Executive is entitled under (a)(i) above (determined without
      regard to paragraph (A) thereof), he shall promptly pay such excess in
      reimbursement to the Company; provided, that in no event shall application
      of this sentence result in reduction of Executive's combined
      salary/disability benefit below the level of long-term disability
      compensation payments to which Executive is entitled under the long-term
      disability plan or plans of the Company.

            (vii) If termination occurs by reason of death, Incapacity or
      Disability, Executive shall also be entitled to an amount equal to
      Executive's MIP Target Award for the year of termination, without
      proration. This amount will be paid at the same time as the amount payable
      under paragraph (iv) above.

            (viii) Except as expressly set forth above or as required by law,
      Executive shall not be entitled to continue participation during the
      termination period in any employee benefit or fringe benefit plan, except
      that during the termination period the Company shall continue to provide
      the Executive with an automobile or automobile allowance.

      (b) Terminations on or after the End Date. Unless earlier terminated or
except as otherwise mutually agreed by Executive and the Company, Executive's
employment with the Company shall terminate on the End Date. Unless the Company
in connection with such termination shall offer to Executive continued service
in a position acceptable to Executive and upon mutually and reasonably agreeable
terms, Executive shall be treated as having terminated under Section 5(a) on the
day immediately preceding the End Date and shall be entitled to the pay and
benefits described therein. If the Company in connection with such termination
offers to Executive continued service in a position acceptable to Executive and
upon mutually and reasonably agreeable terms, and Executive declines such
service, he shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having
terminated his employment voluntarily on the End Date and he shall be entitled
only to those benefits to which he would be entitled under Section 6(a)
("Voluntary termination of employment"). For purposes of the two preceding
sentences, "service in a position acceptable to Executive" shall be deemed to
mean service as Senior Executive Vice President, Group President or service in
such other position, if any, as may be acceptable to Executive.

      6. OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.

            (a) Voluntary termination of employment. If Executive terminates his
      employment voluntarily, Executive or his legal representative shall be
      entitled (in each case in accordance with and subject to the terms of the
      applicable arrangement) to any Stock Incentive Plan benefits described in
      Section 3(b) (Existing Awards) or Section 3(c) (New Stock Awards) and to
      any vested benefits under the plans described in Section 3(f) (Qualified
      Plan; Other Deferred Compensation Plans). In addition, the Company will
      pay to Executive or his legal representative any unpaid amounts to which
      Executive is entitled under MIP for the fiscal year of the Company ended
      immediately prior to Executive's termination of employment, plus any
      unpaid amounts owing with respect to LRPIP cycles in which Executive
      participated and which were completed prior to


                                       -5-
<PAGE>
      termination, in each case at the same time as other awards for such prior
      year or cycle are paid. No other benefits shall be paid under this
      Agreement upon a voluntary termination of employment.

            (b) Termination for Cause; violation of certain agreements. If the
      Company should end Executive's employment for Cause, or, notwithstanding
      Section 5 and Section 6(a) above, if Executive should violate the
      protected persons or noncompetition provisions of Section 8, all
      compensation and benefits otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement
      shall cease, other than (x) such vested amounts as are credited to
      Executive's account (but not received) under GDCP and ESP in accordance
      with the terms of those programs; and (y) Stock Incentive Plan benefits,
      if any, to which Executive may be entitled (in each case in accordance
      with and subject to the terms of the applicable arrangement) under Section
      3(b) (Existing Awards) or Section 3(c) (New Stock Awards) and any vested
      benefits to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
      tax-qualified plans. The Company does not waive any rights it may have for
      damages for injunctive relief.

      7. BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control, the determination and
payment of any benefits payable thereafter with respect to Executive shall be
governed exclusively by the provisions of Exhibit C.

      8. AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE.

      (a) Upon the termination of employment at any time, then for a period of
two years after the termination of the Employment Period, Executive shall not
under any circumstances employ, solicit the employment of, or accept unsolicited
the services of, any "protected person" or recommend the employment of any
"protected person" to any other business organization. A "protected person"
shall be a person known by Executive to be employed by the Company or its
Subsidiaries or to have been employed by Company or its Subsidiaries within six
months prior to the commencement of conversations with such person with respect
to employment.

      As to (i) each "protected person" to whom the foregoing applies, (ii) each
subcategory of "protected person" as defined above, (iii) each limitation on (A)
employment, (B) solicitation and (C) unsolicited acceptance of services, of each
"protected person" and (iv) each month of the period during which the provisions
of this subsection (a) apply to each of the foregoing, the provisions set forth
in this subsection (a) are deemed to be separate and independent agreements and
in the event of unenforceability of any such agreement, such unenforceable
agreement shall be deemed automatically deleted from the provisions hereof and
such deletion shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision of this
subsection (a) or any other term of this Agreement.

      (b) During the course of his employment, Executive will have learned many
trade secrets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and will have access to
confidential information and business plans for the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Therefore, upon termination of the Employment Period on the End
Date or if Executive should end his employment voluntarily at any time,
including by reason of retirement or disability, or if the Company should end


                                       -6-
<PAGE>
Executive's employment at any time for Cause, then for a period of two years
thereafter, Executive will not engage, either as a principal, employee, partner,
consultant or investor (other than a less-than-1% stock interest in a
corporation), in a business which is a competitor of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. A business shall be deemed a competitor of the Company and its
Subsidiaries if and only (i) if it shall then be so regarded by retailers
generally or (ii) if it shall operate an off-price family apparel and/or home
fashions or furnishings store within ten (10) miles of any "then existing or
proposed Company store" or (iii) if it shall operate an on-line, "e-commerce" or
other internet-based off-price family apparel and/or home fashions or
furnishings business; provided, that a business shall be deemed a competitor of
the Company and its Subsidiaries under clause (iii) only if the Company or a
Subsidiary is then also operating an on-line, "e-commerce" or other
internet-based off-price family apparel and/or home fashions or furnishings
business; and further provided, that a business shall be deemed a competitor of
the Company and its Subsidiaries by engaging in an off-price family apparel
and/or home fashions or furnishings business only if the Company or a Subsidiary
is then also engaged in such a business. The term "then existing or proposed
Company store" in the previous sentence shall refer to any such store that is,
at the time of termination of the Employment Period, operated by the Company or
any Subsidiary or under lease for operation as aforesaid. Nothing herein shall
restrict the right of Executive to engage in a business that operates a
conventional or full mark-up department store. Executive agrees that if, at any
time, pursuant to action of any court, administrative or governmental body or
other arbitral tribunal, the operation of any part of this paragraph shall be
determined to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, then the coverage of this
paragraph shall be deemed to be restricted as to duration, geographical scope or
otherwise, as the case may be, to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary
to make this paragraph lawful and enforceable in the particular jurisdiction in
which such determination is made.

      (c) If the Employment Period terminates, Executive agrees (i) to notify
the Company immediately upon his securing employment or becoming self-employed
during any period when Executive's compensation from the Company shall be
subject to reduction or his benefits provided by the Company shall be subject to
termination as provided in Section 6 and (ii) to furnish to the Company written
evidence of his compensation earned from any such employment or self-employment
as the Company shall from time to time request. In addition, upon termination of
the Employment Period for any reason other than the death of Executive,
Executive shall immediately return all written trade secrets, confidential
information and business plans of the Company and shall execute a certificate
certifying that he has returned all such items in his possession or under his
control.

      9. ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company shall enure to
the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
Company. The rights and obligations of Executive are not assignable except only
that payments payable to him after his death shall be made by devise or descent.

      10. NOTICES. All notices and other communications required hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by mailing the same by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. If sent to the Company the same
shall be mailed to the Company at 770 Cochituate Road, Framingham, Massachusetts
01701, Attention: Chairman of the Executive Compensation Committee, or other
such address as the Company may hereafter designate by


                                       -7-
<PAGE>
notice to Executive; and if sent to the Executive, the same shall be mailed to
Executive at his address set forth in the records of the Company or at such
other address as Executive may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

      11. WITHHOLDING; CERTAIN TAX MATTERS. Anything to the contrary
notwithstanding, (a) all payments required to be made by the Company hereunder
to Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any,
relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably
determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, and
(b) to the extent any payment hereunder shall be required to be delayed until
six months following separation from service to comply with the "specified
employee" rules of Section 409A of the Code, it shall be so delayed (but not
more than is required to comply with such rules).

      12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

      13. ARBITRATION. In the event that there is any claim or dispute arising
out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and the parties
hereto shall not have resolved such claim or dispute within sixty (60) days
after written notice from one party to the other setting forth the nature of
such claim or dispute, then such claim or dispute shall be settled exclusively
by binding arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with the Rules
Governing Resolutions of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration
Association by an arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto or, in
the absence of such agreement, by an arbitrator selected according to such
Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either the Company or Executive shall
request, such arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators,
one selected by the Company, one selected by Executive and the third selected by
agreement of the first two, or, in the absence of such agreement, in accordance
with such Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by such arbitrator(s) shall be
entered in any Court having jurisdiction thereof upon the application of either
party.

      14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including Exhibits, represents the
entire agreement between the parties relating to the terms of Executive's
employment by the Company and supersedes all prior written or oral agreements
between them.

                              /s/ Arnold Barron
                              ------------------------------
                              Executive

                              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.


                              By /s/ Edmond J. English
                                __________________________


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<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

                               Certain Definitions

      (a) "Base Salary" means, for any period, the amount described in Section
3(a).

      (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

      (c) "Committee" means the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board.

      (d) "Cause" means dishonesty by Executive in the performance of his
duties, conviction of a felony (other than a conviction arising solely under a
statutory provision imposing criminal liability upon Executive on a per se basis
due to the Company offices held by Executive, so long as any act or omission of
Executive with respect to such matter was not taken or omitted in contravention
of any applicable policy or directive of the Board), gross neglect of duties
(other than as a result of Incapacity, Disability or death), or conflict of
interest which conflict shall continue for thirty (30) days after the Company
gives written notice to Executive requesting the cessation of such conflict.

      In respect of any termination during a Standstill Period, Executive shall
not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause until the later to occur of (i)
the 30th day after notice of termination is given and (ii) the delivery to
Executive of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not
less than a majority of the Company's directors at a meeting called and held for
that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive), and at which Executive
together with his counsel was given an opportunity to be heard, finding that the
Executive was guilty of conduct described in the definition of "Cause" above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail; provided, however, that the
Company may suspend Executive and withhold payment of his Base Salary from the
date that notice of termination is given until the earliest to occur of (A)
termination of Executive for Cause effected in accordance with the foregoing
procedures (in which case Executive shall not be entitled to his Base Salary for
such period), (B) a determination by a majority of the Company's directors that
Executive was not guilty of the conduct described in the definition of "Cause"
effected in accordance with the foregoing procedures (in which case Executive
shall be reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid Base Salary for such
period), or (C) ninety (90) days after notice of termination is given (in which
case Executive shall then be reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid
Base Salary for such period). If Base Salary is withheld and then paid pursuant
to clause (B) or (C) of the preceding sentence, the amount thereof shall be
accompanied by simple interest, calculated on a daily basis, at a rate per annum
equal to the prime or base lending rate, as in effect at the time, of the
Company's principal commercial bank.

      (e) "Change of Control" has the meaning given it in Exhibit B.


                                       A-1
<PAGE>
      (f) "Change of Control Termination" means the termination of Executive's
employment during a Standstill Period (1) by the Company other than for Cause,
or (2) by Executive for good reason, or (3) by reason of death, Incapacity or
Disability.

      For purposes of this definition, termination for "good reason" shall mean
the voluntary termination by Executive of his employment (A) within one hundred
and twenty (120) days after the occurrence without Executive's express written
consent of any one of the events described in clauses (I), (II), (III), (IV),
(V) or (VI) below, provided, that Executive gives notice to the Company at least
thirty (30) days in advance requesting that the pertinent situation described
therein be remedied, and the situation remains unremedied upon expiration of
such 30-day period; (B) within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the
occurrence without Executive's express written consent of the event described in
clause (VII), provided, that Executive gives notice to the Company at least
thirty (30) days in advance of his intent to terminate his employment in respect
of such event; or (C) under the circumstances described in clause (VIII) below,
provided, that Executive gives notice to the Company at least thirty (30) days
in advance:

            (I)   the assignment to him of any duties inconsistent with his
                  positions, duties, responsibilities, reporting requirements,
                  and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change of
                  Control, or any removal of Executive from or any failure to
                  reelect him to such positions, except in connection with the
                  termination of Executive's employment by the Company for Cause
                  or by Executive other than for good reason, or any other
                  action by the Company which results in a diminishment in such
                  position, authority, duties or responsibilities, other than an
                  insubstantial and inadvertent action which is remedied by the
                  Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
                  Executive; or

            (II)  if Executive's rate of Base Salary for any fiscal year is less
                  than 100 percent of the rate of Base Salary paid to Executive
                  in the completed fiscal year immediately preceding the Change
                  of Control or if Executive's total cash compensation
                  opportunities, including salary and incentives, for any fiscal
                  year are less than 100% of the total cash compensation
                  opportunities made available to Executive in the completed
                  fiscal year immediately preceding the Change of Control; or

            (III) the failure of the Company to continue in effect any benefits
                  or perquisites, or any pension, life insurance, medical
                  insurance or disability plan in which Executive was
                  participating immediately prior to the Change of Control
                  unless the Company provides Executive with a plan or plans
                  that provide substantially similar benefits, or the taking of
                  any action by the Company that would adversely affect
                  Executive's benefits under any of such plans or deprive
                  Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive
                  immediately prior to the Change of Control; or


                                       A-2
<PAGE>
            (IV)  any purported termination of Executive's employment by the
                  Company for Cause during a Standstill Period which is not
                  effected in compliance with paragraph (d) above; or

            (V)   any relocation of Executive of more than forty (40) miles from
                  the place where Executive was located at the time of the
                  Change of Control; or

            (VI)  any other breach by the Company of any provision of this
                  Agreement; or

            (VII) the Company sells or otherwise disposes of, in one transaction
                  or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
                  aggregating more than 30% of the assets (taken at asset value
                  as stated on the books of the Company determined in accordance
                  with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
                  applied) or earning power of the Company (on an individual
                  basis) or the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated
                  basis) to any other Person or Persons (as those terms are
                  defined in Exhibit B); or

           (VIII) the voluntary termination by Executive of his employment at
                  any time within one year after the Change of Control.
                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may expressly waive
                  the application of this clause (VIII) if it waives the
                  applicability of substantially similar provisions with respect
                  to all persons with whom the Company has a written severance
                  agreement (or may condition its application on any additional
                  requirements or employee agreements which the Board shall in
                  its discretion deem appropriate in the circumstances). The
                  determination of whether to waive or impose conditions on the
                  application of this clause (VIII) shall be within the complete
                  discretion of the Board but shall be made prior to the Change
                  of Control.

      (g) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time
amended and in effect.

      (h) "Date of Termination" means the date on which Executive's employment
terminates.

      (i) "Disability" has the meaning given it in the Company's long-term
disability plan. Executive's employment shall be deemed to be terminated for
Disability on the date on which Executive is entitled to receive long-term
disability compensation pursuant to such long-term disability plan.

      (j) "End Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the Agreement.

      (k) "GDCP" means the Company's General Deferred Compensation Plan, or, if
the General Deferred Compensation Plan is no longer maintained by the Company, a
nonqualified deferred compensation plan (other than the ESP) or arrangement the
terms of which are not less favorable to Executive than the terms of the General
Deferred Compensation Plan as in effect on the Effective Date.


                                       A-3
<PAGE>
      (l) "ESP" means the Company's Executive Savings Plan.

      (m) "Incapacity" means a disability (other than Disability within the
meaning of (i) above) or other impairment of health that renders Executive
unable to perform his duties to the reasonable satisfaction of the Committee.

      (n) "LRPIP" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of the Agreement.

      (o) "MIP" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of the Agreement.

      (p) "SERP" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(f) of this Agreement.

      (q) "Standstill Period" means the period commencing on the date of a
Change of Control and continuing until the close of business on the earlier of
the day immediately preceding the End Date or the last business day of the 24th
calendar month following such Change of Control.

      (r) "Stock" means the common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company.

      (s) "Stock Incentive Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of
the Agreement.

      (t) "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which the Company owns, directly
or indirectly, 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock.


                                       A-4
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT B

                        Definition of "Change of Control"

      "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following
events:

            (a) there occurs a change of control of the Company of a nature that
      would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the Current
      Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or in any other filing under the
      Exchange Act; provided, however, that no transaction shall be deemed to be
      a Change of Control (i) if the person or each member of a group of persons
      acquiring control is excluded from the definition of the term "Person"
      hereunder or (ii) unless the Committee shall otherwise determine prior to
      such occurrence, if Executive or an Executive Related Party is the Person
      or a member of a group constituting the Person acquiring control; or

            (b) any Person other than the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary
      of the Company, or any employee benefit plan of the Company or such a
      subsidiary becomes the owner of 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock
      and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the Company prior to
      the date such Person became a 20% owner are elected as directors pursuant
      to an arrangement or understanding with, or upon the request of or
      nomination by, such Person and constitute at least 1/4 of the Company's
      Board of Directors; provided, however, that unless the Committee shall
      otherwise determine prior to the acquisition of such 20% ownership, such
      acquisition of ownership shall not constitute a Change of Control if
      Executive or an Executive Related Party is the Person or a member of a
      group constituting the Person acquiring such ownership; or

            (c) there occurs any solicitation or series of solicitations of
      proxies by or on behalf of any Person other than the Company's Board of
      Directors and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the Company
      prior to the commencement of such solicitation or series of solicitations
      are elected as directors pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with,
      or upon the request of or nomination by, such Person and constitute at
      least 1/4 of the Company's Board of Directors; or

            (d) the Company executes an agreement of acquisition, merger or
      consolidation which contemplates that (i) after the effective date
      provided for in the agreement, all or substantially all of the business
      and/or assets of the Company shall be owned, leased or otherwise
      controlled by another Person and (ii) individuals who are directors of the
      Company when such agreement is executed shall not constitute a majority of
      the board of directors of the survivor or successor entity immediately
      after the effective date provided for in such agreement; provided,
      however, that unless otherwise determined by the Committee, no transaction
      shall constitute a Change of Control if, immediately after such
      transaction, Executive or any Executive Related Party shall own equity
      securities of any surviving corporation ("Surviving Entity") having a fair
      value as a percentage of the fair value of the equity securities of such
      Surviving Entity greater than 125% of the fair value


                                       B-1
<PAGE>
      of the equity securities of the Company owned by Executive and any
      Executive Related Party immediately prior to such transaction, expressed
      as a percentage of the fair value of all equity securities of the Company
      immediately prior to such transaction (for purposes of this paragraph
      ownership of equity securities shall be determined in the same manner as
      ownership of Common Stock); and provided, further, that, for purposes of
      this paragraph (d), if such agreement requires as a condition precedent
      approval by the Company's shareholders of the agreement or transaction, a
      Change of Control shall not be deemed to have taken place unless and until
      such approval is secured (but upon any such approval, a Change of Control
      shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of execution of such
      agreement).

In addition, for purposes of this Exhibit B the following terms have the
meanings set forth below:

      "Common Stock" shall mean the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company
plus, for purposes of determining the stock ownership of any Person, the number
of unissued shares of Common Stock which such Person has the right to acquire
(whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time) upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or
options or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Common Stock shall
not include shares of Preferred Stock or convertible debt or options or warrants
to acquire shares of Common Stock (including any shares of Common Stock issued
or issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) to the extent that the
Board of Directors of the Company shall expressly so determine in any future
transaction or transactions.

      A Person shall be deemed to be the "owner" of any Common Stock:

            (i) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner," as such
      term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
      Commission (the "Commission") under the Exchange Act, as in effect on
      March 1, 1989; or

            (ii) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner" for
      purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Commission
      promulgated thereunder, as in effect on March 1, 1989; or

            (iii) which such Person or any of its affiliates or associates (as
      such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the Commission under
      the Exchange Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989), has the right to acquire
      (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
      of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon
      the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options or
      otherwise.

      "Person" shall have the meaning used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act,
as in effect on March 1, 1989.


                                       B-2
<PAGE>
      An "Executive Related Party" shall mean any affiliate or associate of
Executive other than the Company or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The terms "affiliate" and "associate" shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (the term "registrant" in the definition of
"associate" meaning, in this case, the Company).


                                       B-3
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT C

                           Change of Control Benefits

      C.1. Benefits Upon a Change of Control Termination.

      (a) The Company shall pay the following to Executive in a lump sum within
thirty (30) days following a Change of Control Termination:

            (i) an amount equal to (A) two times his Base Salary for one year at
      the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination or the
      Change of Control, whichever is higher, plus (B) the accrued and unpaid
      portion of his Base Salary through the Date of Termination, subject to the
      following. If Executive is eligible for long term disability compensation
      benefits under the Company's long-term disability plan, the amount payable
      under (A) shall be reduced by the annual long-term disability compensation
      benefit for which Executive is eligible under such plan for the two-year
      period over which the amount payable under (A) is measured. If for any
      period Executive receives long-term disability compensation payments under
      a long-term disability plan of the Company as well as payments under the
      first sentence of this clause (i), and if the sum of such payments (the
      "combined Change of Control/disability benefit") exceeds the payment for
      such period to which Executive is entitled under the first sentence of
      this clause (i) (determined without regard to the second sentence of this
      clause (i)), he shall promptly pay such excess in reimbursement to the
      Company; provided, that in no event shall application of this sentence
      result in reduction of Executive's combined Change of Control/disability
      benefit below the level of long-term disability compensation payments to
      which Executive is entitled under the long-term disability plan or plans
      of the Company.

            (ii) in lieu of any other benefits under SERP, an amount equal to
      the present value of the payments that Executive would have been entitled
      to receive under SERP as a Category B or Category C participant, whichever
      is greater, applying the following rules and assumptions:

                  (A) the monthly benefit under SERP determined using the
            foregoing criteria shall be multiplied by 12 to determine an annual
            benefit; and

                  (B) the present value of such annual benefit shall be
            determined by multiplying the result in (A) by the appropriate
            actuarial factor, using the most recently published interest and
            mortality rates published by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
            Corporation which are effective for plan terminations occurring on
            the Date of Termination, using Executive's age to the nearest year
            determined as of that date. If, as of the Date of Termination, the
            Executive has previously satisfied the eligibility requirements for
            Early Retirement under The TJX Companies, Inc. Retirement Plan, then
            the appropriate factor shall be that based on the most recently
            published "PBGC Actuarial Value of $1.00 Per Year Deferred to Age 60


                                       C-1
<PAGE>
            and Payable for Life Thereafter -- Healthy Lives," except that if
            the Executive's age to the nearest year is more than 60, then such
            higher age shall be substituted for 60. If, as of the Date of
            Termination, the Executive has not satisfied the eligibility
            requirements for Early Retirement under The TJX Companies, Inc.
            Retirement Plan, then the appropriate factor shall be based on the
            most recently published "PBGC Actuarial Value of $1.00 Per Year
            Deferred To Age 65 And Payable For Life Thereafter -- Healthy
            Lives."

                  (C) the benefit determined under (B) above shall be reduced by
            the value of any portion of Executive's SERP benefit already paid or
            provided to him in cash or through the transfer of an annuity
            contract.

      (b) Until the second anniversary of the Date of Termination, the Company
shall maintain in full force and effect for the continued benefit of Executive
and his family all life insurance and medical insurance plans and programs in
which Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to the Change of
Control, provided that Executive's continued participation is possible under the
general terms and provisions of such plans and programs. In the event that
Executive is ineligible to participate in such plans or programs, the Company
shall arrange upon comparable terms to provide Executive with benefits
substantially similar to those which he is entitled to receive under such plans
and programs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company's obligations hereunder
with respect to life or medical coverage or benefits shall be deemed satisfied
to the extent (but only to the extent) of any such coverage or benefits provided
by another employer.

      (c) For a period of two years after the Date of Termination, the Company
shall make available to Executive the use of any automobile that was made
available to Executive prior to the Date of Termination, including ordinary
replacement thereof in accordance with the Company's automobile policy in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control (or, in lieu of making such
automobile available, the Company may at its option pay to Executive the present
value of its cost of providing such automobile).

      C.2. Incentive Benefits Upon a Change of Control. Within thirty (30) days
following a Change of Control, whether or not Executive's employment has
terminated or been terminated, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump
sum, the sum of (i) and (ii), where:

            (i) is the sum of (A) the "Target Award" under the Company's
      Management Incentive Plan or any other annual incentive plan which is
      applicable to Executive for the fiscal year in which the Change of Control
      occurs, plus (B) an amount equal to such Target Award prorated for the
      period of active employment during such fiscal year through the Change of
      Control; and

            (ii) the sum of (A) for Performance Cycles not completed prior to
      the Change of Control, an amount with respect to each such cycle equal to
      the maximum Award under LRPIP specified for Executive for such cycle, plus
      (B) any unpaid amounts owing with respect to cycles completed prior to the
      Change of Control.


                                       C-2
<PAGE>
      C.3. Gross-Up Payment. Payments under Section C.1. and Section C.2. of
this Exhibit shall be made without regard to whether the deductibility of such
payments (or any other payments or benefits to or for the benefit of Executive)
would be limited or precluded by Section 280G of the Code ("Section 280G") and
without regard to whether such payments (or any other payments or benefits)
would subject Executive to the federal excise tax levied on certain "excess
parachute payments" under Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"). If any
portion of the payments or benefits to or for the benefit of Executive
(including, but not limited to, payments and benefits under this Agreement but
determined without regard to this paragraph) constitutes an "excess parachute
payment" within the meaning of Section 280G (the aggregate of such payments
being hereinafter referred to as the "Excess Parachute Payments"), the Company
shall promptly pay to Executive an additional amount (the "gross-up payment")
that after reduction for all taxes (including but not limited to the Excise Tax)
with respect to such gross-up payment equals the Excise Tax with respect to the
Excess Parachute Payments; provided, that to the extent any gross-up payment
would be considered "deferred compensation" for purposes of Section 409A of the
Code, the manner and time of payment, and the provisions of this Section C.3,
shall be adjusted to the extent necessary (but only to the extent necessary) to
comply with the requirements of Section 409A with respect to such payment so
that the payment does not give rise to the interest or additional tax amounts
described at Section 409A(a)(1)(B) or Section 409A(b)(4) of the Code (the
"Section 409A penalties"); and further provided, that if, notwithstanding the
immediately preceding proviso, the gross-up payment cannot be made to conform to
the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the amount of the gross-up payment
shall be determined without regard to any gross-up for the Section 409A
penalties. The determination as to whether Executive's payments and benefits
include Excess Parachute Payments and, if so, the amount of such payments, the
amount of any Excise Tax owed with respect thereto, and the amount of any
gross-up payment shall be made at the Company's expense by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or by such other certified public accounting firm as
the Committee may designate prior to a Change of Control (the "accounting
firm"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Internal Revenue Service shall
assert an Excise Tax liability that is higher than the Excise Tax (if any)
determined by the accounting firm, the Company shall promptly augment the
gross-up payment to address such higher Excise Tax liability.

      C.4. Other Benefits. In addition to the amounts described in Sections C.1.
and C.2., and C.3., Executive shall be entitled to his Stock Incentive Plan
benefits, if any, under Section 3(b) (Existing Awards) and Section 3(c) (New
Stock Awards), and, subject to Section C.1(a)(ii) above, to the payment of
vested benefits under the plans described in Section 3(f) (Qualified Plans;
Other Deferred Compensation Plans).

      C.5. Noncompetition; No Mitigation of Damages; etc.

            (a) Noncompetition. Upon a Change of Control, any agreement by
      Executive not to engage in competition with the Company subsequent to the
      termination of his employment, whether contained in an employment contract
      or other agreement, shall no longer be effective.


                                       C-3
<PAGE>
            (b) No Duty to Mitigate Damages. Executive's benefits under this
      Exhibit C shall be considered severance pay in consideration of his past
      service and his continued service from the date of this Agreement, and his
      entitlement thereto shall neither be governed by any duty to mitigate his
      damages by seeking further employment nor offset by any compensation which
      he may receive from future employment.

            (c) Legal Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal fees
      and expenses, including but not limited to counsel fees, stenographer
      fees, printing costs, etc. reasonably incurred by Executive in contesting
      or disputing that the termination of his employment during a Standstill
      Period is for Cause or other than for good reason (as defined in the
      definition of Change of Control Termination) or obtaining any right or
      benefit to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement following a
      Change of Control. Any amount payable under this Agreement that is not
      paid when due shall accrue interest at the prime rate as from time to time
      in effect at Bank of America, or its successor, until paid in full.

            (d) Notice of Termination. During a Standstill Period, Executive's
      employment may be terminated by the Company only upon thirty (30) days'
      written notice to Executive.


                                       C-4