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I honestly don't know how Michaels is still in business. I do tend to think it's not necessary location that is going to make it for Radio Shack, but their prod

I honestly don't know how Michaels is still in business. I do tend to think it's not necessary location that is going to make it for Radio Shack, but their products, and target market. They should focus on makers, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Drones, make that their core business. Pricing needs to be competitive (vs online), stock should be plentiful, and knowledgeable employees (maybe like a Geek Squad equivalent "The Shack").

lancesells 3y ago
The thing with Michaels is there are a lot of products that are nicer to experience in offline instead of online. For electronic components I'm not sure that's the case. I know very little about electronics but I would much rather go to adafruit.com and look at tutorials, specs, etc. and then order. I personally don't need any sort of tactile feel or quality control on breadboard compared to if I'm buying yarn to knit something.
- b112 3y ago
  The thing with Michaels is there are a lot of products that are nicer to experience in offline instead of online. I agree, and even wonder what's up with bed bath and beyond's implosion. Many people, mostly but not only! women, tend to really really care what pillows look and feel like. I think the only reason Amazon works here, is the crazy free return shipping. But still, how is that the same?? I don't care about pillows, but I know if I did, I'd want to choose! To touch! To see how fluffy, how they look.. Hrm. Maybe I am harbouring an unknown pillow fetish. Anyway, I don't get it either. If Michael's can't survive, can anything?
  - bombcar 3y ago
    Bloodbath and beyond was just insanely overpriced. Kohls is surviving because they have billions of coupons, but they also are encroaching on things like BB&B sold. They were finally killed in my opinion by the wedding registry options at other stores getting better. Michael’s survives by having way more art supplies than other places and people who do art wanting it NOW and not later.
troupe 3y ago
Frames, both custom and premade, tend to be harder to order online because of shipping and because you often want to actually see it...or someone has to made it for you. Many of the craft or home decor items are similar. Michael's markup on those types of things is probably pretty high, so even the stuff sold on sale after the season is probably making good profit.

lancesells 3y ago

The thing with Michaels is there are a lot of products that are nicer to experience in offline instead of online. For electronic components I'm not sure that's the case. I know very little about electronics but I would much rather go to adafruit.com and look at tutorials, specs, etc. and then order. I personally don't need any sort of tactile feel or quality control on breadboard compared to if I'm buying yarn to knit something.

b112 3y ago
The thing with Michaels is there are a lot of products that are nicer to experience in offline instead of online. I agree, and even wonder what's up with bed bath and beyond's implosion. Many people, mostly but not only! women, tend to really really care what pillows look and feel like. I think the only reason Amazon works here, is the crazy free return shipping. But still, how is that the same?? I don't care about pillows, but I know if I did, I'd want to choose! To touch! To see how fluffy, how they look.. Hrm. Maybe I am harbouring an unknown pillow fetish. Anyway, I don't get it either. If Michael's can't survive, can anything?
- bombcar 3y ago
  Bloodbath and beyond was just insanely overpriced. Kohls is surviving because they have billions of coupons, but they also are encroaching on things like BB&B sold. They were finally killed in my opinion by the wedding registry options at other stores getting better. Michael’s survives by having way more art supplies than other places and people who do art wanting it NOW and not later.

troupe 3y ago

Frames, both custom and premade, tend to be harder to order online because of shipping and because you often want to actually see it...or someone has to made it for you. Many of the craft or home decor items are similar. Michael's markup on those types of things is probably pretty high, so even the stuff sold on sale after the season is probably making good profit.