Michaels bought by a private equity group

Interesting. The article said they are buying it because their valuation has increased, but it is less than it was when it went public, if I read it right. But they've been impressed with how they've handled the pandemic...
But the pandemic is (please please PLEASE) hopefully winding down. Hmm.

I didn’t like when they made all the shelving higher and it started to resemble a warehouse.

Who are you kidding how many crafters do you think can reach those higher shelves? If no one can reach them what is the point? It’s not like you have employees around who can get those things down

Although I do like the instore pick up, which they had pre pandemic I hope they keep that. If they’d find a way to put the clearance items on that they’d get way more business lol

But you shouldn’t have to, unless you work there. 😉

I just thought it was a weird way to go in an industry where seeing an item can go a long way to securing the purchase. Especially impulse buys.

According to the article, Michaels has only been a publicly held company since 2014. Prior to that they were also owned by private equity firms. So hopefully going back into private equity hands won’t be too bad.

I am more concerned with the fact that my local Michaels has gutted the paper crafting section almost completely. Tons of paper and stickers removed, huge clear out sale of stamping supplies, no new stock for Spring .

But there are lots of seasonal and general crafting supplies, several aisles for food crafting, vinyl cutting, etc. And of course, the ubiquitous framing section.

I am glad I can still buy scrapbooking and stamping products online

This isn't the first time Michael's has changed hands...so just breathe.

I hope you are right, but my Michaels has stocked what were the paper and sticker aisles with other items. Even if they bring in more paper crafting supplies, there is no longer space for them unless they add more aisles

If there is anything that this pandemic has brought about with AC shrinking designers, TM completely screwing their craft aisle, M's reducing their papercrafting further (I only really shop there when the hot buys are on for $5 or before the pandemic when they were 70% off and there was an extra 20% off coupon running), etc. is that it will make a lot of people who overbuy supplies feel good about having a cushy stash.

And they met on a Tuesday morning. 

...at the local scrapbook store. Everyone loves these Archivers, who record their Memories.

I rarely go there anymore either. I pretty much stopped before the pandemic when the hot buy paper pads weren't appealing to me anymore. The few times I stopped in during the pandemic there was never anything new. Sometime last year I finally tried tape jungle for my atg refills and now I really have no reason to go to Michael's. But I feel bad for people who and this turns out bad for paper crafters. 

IMHO the big box stores, regardless whether privately or publicly owned, will continue to lose papercrafting customers until they return to carrying name brand supplies (with or without offering substantial coupons). Most customers have access to the internet, are aware of options via online retailers/YT videos/here, & are no longer limited to whatever is available in brick & mortar stores. How many customers are willing to pay the same retail price (without coupon) for a big box house brand as a name brand (often with samples &/or YT instruction for its use found online) of any supply?

I’ve only walked into Michaels during the last 5 years if a store was nearby when waiting on an appointment, & the only items I’ve purchased during this time were VersaFine Clair inks on clearance for $2/ea last month!

I ran into my Michaels the other day, looking for a basket. I was surprised to see they had no baskets and where the baskets used to be, now it was all scrapbook storage (like Ikea furniture. the stuff you have to put together). They used to have lots of wicker and metal baskets but nope. All gone.