Curious if others are experiencing this as well, but when I first got into the hobby it wasn't uncommon for me to find Niche brands like Mancera, designers like Versace and Dolce and Gabbana and even YSL at the local rack store quite often. Some of my early posts on this site were of the bottles I picked up there. In the last few months it's been almost all the same Middle Eastern clones and the odd gem like Michael Mulal. Since my local rack store is a TJ Maxx, wondering if others are noticing a similar as well? Is it time of year and it'll pick up once holiday stock gets put out to discounters? I'm still pretty new to the hobby so I'd be curious what others who have more experience might have to say on this topic. Like is it just cyclical or is there been a noticeable decline in selection and quality of late where you are as well? I've been noticing similar declines in just overall selection and quality of goods. Gone. Are the days where you could buy $50 Tom Ford candles there that's for sure.

Every fragrance house has depth, history, and dozens of releases.. but not all of them truly define the brand. In this series, we’re doing something simple (and difficult): reducing each house to just FIVE fragrances. No hype. No rankings. No right or wrong answers. Just the scents that matter most.. based on wearability, legacy, impact, and personal connection. Each post will feature one house. You comment your Top 5 from that house. Over time, we’ll see which fragrances consistently rise to the top.. and which ones quietly earn cult status. This will also help those starting to explore a new House.. First up: House of CREED Let’s see what really defines the house..