1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Edmond English and Donald G. Campbell and each of
them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the form 10-K to be filed by The
TJX Companies, Inc. for the fiscal year ended January 27, 2001 and any or all
amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ EDMOND ENGLISH                       /s/ DONALD G. CAMPBELL
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Edmond English, President,               Donald G. Campbell, Executive Vice
Principal Executive Officer and          President-Finance, Principal Financial
Director                                 and Accounting Officer


/s/ BERNARD CAMMARATA                    /s/ JOHN M. NELSON
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Bernard Cammarata, Director              John M. Nelson, Director


/s/ GARY CRITTENDEN                      /s/ JOHN F. O'BRIEN
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Gary Crittenden, Director                John F. O'Brien, Director


/s/ GAIL DEEGAN                          /s/ ROBERT F. SHAPIRO
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Gail Deegan, Director                    Robert F. Shapiro, Director


/s/ DENNIS F. HIGHTOWER                  /s/ WILLOW B. SHIRE
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Dennis F. Hightower, Director            Willow B. Shire, Director


/s/ RICHARD LESSER                       /s/ FLETCHER H. WILEY
----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
Richard Lesser, Director                 Fletcher H. Wiley, Director


/s/ ARTHUR F. LOEWY
----------------------------------
Arthur F. Loewy, Director

Dated: April 11, 2001