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Retailer Comparison For Hobby Lobby & Michael's Essay

Retailer Comparison for Hobby Lobby & Michael's Hobby Lobby and Michael's are two major competitors in crafting supply and arts and crafts. Michaels is the largest arts and craft retail chain. It currently operates more than 1040 Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores located in 49 U.S. states and in Canada (Marx, 2009). The average Michaels store now contains 40,000 different products in 18,200 square feet of selling space. The stores sell a selection of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall decor, bakeware, beads, scrapbooking and seasonal merchandise for hobbyists and do-it-yourself home decorators.

Hobby Lobby is a privately held retail chain of arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with stores located across the U.S.A. A major competitor for Michaels, stores carry a variety of arts and crafts products, including scrapbooking, beading, knitting, rubber stamping, home decor items, floral items, kids' crafts, paints, framing, greenery, baking and many seasonal items (Whitford, 2010).

Hobby Lobby stores are larger in square footage than Michael's stores, mainly because inventory selection is much broader. The chain carries much more than just art and crafts supplies....

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Shoppers can also purchase fabric and houseware items, which take up a large amount of the space in the store. While Hobby Lobby does have more products Michael's, in my opinion, Michael's would be the better choice for locating specific specialty crafting items.
Michael's store locations are often nestled within shopping complexes near grocery and clothing stores. This puts them in close proximity to everyday shoppers, particularly during holiday seasons of any kind. Hobby Lobby stores are positioned near larger shopping districts where one may find Costco or other warehouse shopping centers. They tend to offer ample parking and sit on lots alone.

Hobby Lobby is cheaper on average than Michael's for similar products and name brand items. Both stores, however, have excellent sales each week and offer online and printed coupons, particularly during the holiday season. Discounts tend to be deeper at Michael's and promotions more frequent; however, in general Hobby Lobby is more likely to offer better pricing and overall value. Both stores offer shopper incentives and reward or loyalty programs.

Cashiers and customer service reps are readily available in both stores. In…

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References

Green, D. (2009). A Matter of Principle. Chain Store Age, 85(6), 22-24.

Marx, P. (2009). MICHAEL'S. New Yorker, 85(42), 30.

Whitford, D. (2010). ONE FAMILY'S HOBBY. Fortune, 162(7), 69-72.
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