TJX plans special sale tied to data breach

Framingham discounter TJX Cos. tomorrow is holding its long-anticipated "Customer Appreciation" sale related to the massive consumer data breach that compromised as many as 100 million accounts.

The one-day promotion, advertised today for the first time, gives customers 15 percent off their entire purchases on Thursday, excluding gift cards and layaway purchases. The sale is being held at all of the company's stores. TJX operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and A.J. Wright.

"TJX has chosen to hold a previously planned, one-time Customer Appreciation Day to express our appreciation to customers for their continued support and patronage following the criminal attack(s) announced on our computer systems two years ago," Sherry Lang, a TJX spokeswoman, said in a statement. "TJX remains committed to providing our customers a safe and secure shopping environment as well as offering the great quality, fashion, brands, and values our customers have grown to expect."

The sale was initially negotiated as part of court settlement related to the breach, which was first disclosed by TJX in January 2007. It ultimately was not part of the court agreement, but TJX decided to hold the promotion anyway.