By Deborah Boschert
Michaels recently announced a transformation of two of their stores in an effort to “re-imagine the optimal maker shopping experience.” Eager to see what this might entail and since the newly designed stores are near my home, I donned a mask and made a visit to the store in Plano, a north suburb of Dallas. Michaels is America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain and is based in Irving (near Dallas).
First impression
My first impression is that the store has a wonderful new look and feel, yet still feels like Michaels— in a good way. I’d read the press release so I knew the new elements they’d focused on and I could easily pick out the notable changes.
It feels more open, fresher, and brighter. It’s more welcoming for a leisurely browse. It’s more organized and less cluttered. The press release highlights “lower fixturing that allows customers to easily view and navigate our full store.” It really does! Tall aisles and shelving have been moved to the edges leaving the center part of the store more open.
The entry area.
The yarn corner.
The maker space
One addition to this Michaels is a Maker Space. The one I visited was outfitted with a big screen tv playing craft tutorials near a long table. There were no chairs or people in the space, possibly due to social distancing requirements.
The Marker Space also has a sink and a rolling cart with supplies and tools. (Maybe the supplies and tools are free to use? I couldn’t tell.) There is a bank of lockers for pickup of online orders, a convenient option allowing for a contact-free transaction. For a business owner sourcing supplies, the locker pick-up may be an especially efficient option.
The table in the Maker Space
Trend hubs
The new design also includes “trend hubs.” Ceiling hung grids mark the spaces. Focused lighting and accessible display cases invite shoppers to browse. I counted four of these “trend hubs.” One focused on art with stacks of blank canvases, paint, and markers. The other three were full of Halloween and fall decor. Since there was additional fall decor throughout the store, it seemed like a missed opportunity to put other product lines in some of the “trend hubs.”
Inventory adjustments
I spoke with a Michaels employee about the changes and she said it took a while to get used to, but customers and employees like the feel of the new design. She said some of the product inventory lines have changed. In some departments where they used to carry several options for the same product, now they only have the best selling option. But in other departments, they are carrying more products including more sewing machines and high-tech products. She said if you’re looking for products no-longer available in the newly-redesigned Michaels, you can still find them at the other stores in the Dallas area.
I often browse books and magazines at Michaels but they aren’t included in the new design. Frankly, since I rarely actually purchased books or magazines and, like many crafters, I get most of my ideas online, maybe it’s not surprising they’ve been removed.
It will be interesting to see how some or all of the redesign may be incorporated into other locations. Though I’d give the redesign overall positive marks, I don’t plan to go back. For many reasons, including the pandemic, I’m shopping less at brick-and-mortar. If I really needed something, I’d go to a Michaels closer to my home. If I wanted an inspiring experience browsing a fresh space with beautiful displays, I can think of other preferable options.
I rather Michaels keep the option of having several brands of the same product. For i.e. cutting dies, stamps, ink pads and vinyls, just to name a few. But if they decide not to there’s always Hobby Lobby.
Lol, at the person who wrote this article then formed a clearly biased opinion at the end basically say the entire store is shit, dont shop here. 😂😂
I know. I found the ending strange as well.
Seriously?….
Hello love love so are there any of the new look stores here in the Houston Sugarland areas thanks
Just looks to me by the way things are set up they ate carrying less and less..shelving angled to look as if the shelves have so much more on them….bring back AC Moore my home away from.home !!!!
I have to say that I agree with you! I recently visited the Michaels store that moved into an AC Moore in Framingham, Massachusetts and it was so empty of inventory. Angled shelving was clearly meant to make it seem like there was more there, but there was hardly any selection. I truly missed the abundance of AC Moore.
As someone who has worked for both companies and spent more money then I should have. Michaels was the better of the two in more ways I could count on my fingers.
A lot of stores do the angled shelves and it’s not to look like they have more inventory.
You probably haven’t also been paying attention to the issue to the cargo ship issues a lot of retail stores are dealing with. Shelves are going to be empty for awhile. Hopefully not much longer. But product sitting out in containers on open waters has been bringing in product that can’t be sold due to them having mold on them.
The selection between both stores, Michaels had more options and far better quality for your needs.
Our Michaels in Bluffton SC always looks now like it’s going “out of business) Christmas was just sad..shelves empty. Valentines Day they hardly had anything , don’t even want to check for a Easter !
How can Hobby Lobby have a full store and Michaels empty?
It seems so many stores are decreasing their in-store inventory due to the pandemic. It went from having too many options to not enough. It’s kind of eerie.
I hope they don’t reduce their oil painting supplies. The store is close to me and they always have what I need. I haven’t been out yet to see for myself.
Minnesota/twin cities stores have become– the dirtiest place I’ve shopped during Covid. Shelves are empty in aisles, while clearance items are so over stuffed in center aisles, i can’t even get their tiny carts through (which are too small if u grab 1 storage bin even!) There is Never anything on ‘Sale’- the only deals in ads or on shelves are low price (basically getting rid of) if u want cheap after season items and a need to shower after you shop, great place for ya!! But Michaels have better pull their heads outta their butts and get some employees that care and stores that look better than a 3 year olds bedroom.
Why are all the store going to placing such high shelves everywhere? As a short person, it frustrates me when everything I need to get is out of my reach and O have to waste time trying to find someone to help reach for me! Grrrrr!
Very discouraged with shopping at Michaels. Their selection of paper craft items is ridiculously minimal and very few choices of items like tape runners and even paper. Stamps are pretty much gone. Since AC Moore went out Michaels is now the only craft store in our area except for JoAnn’s and they’re too high priced. It’s sad that Michaels isn’t what it was.
A few days ago, I stopped at Michaels’s for the first time in a couple of years. The new layout is awkward and weird. After seeing how much they reduced their yarn inventory, I was not inspired to look further except for a crochet hook. There were five checkout stands but only two were in use with a line snaking around. It was obvious the line was moving very slowly. I tossed the hook aside and left for Hobby Lobby where I was met with an astonishing array of lovely yarn that left me in awe and inspired me to look around the entire store. Every department was neatly displayed and fun to explore unlike the empty warehouse feel of Michael’s. Not likely I’ll be going back.
My California Michael’s is still well stocked, tidy and clean. Very large yarn selection and art supply section. Sorry to hear that others aren’t doing well.