What Is Hobby Lobby? The Craft Retail Giant Explained
As one of the nation‘s largest arts and crafts retailers with over $6 billion in annual sales, Hobby Lobby has grown from humble beginnings into a familiar sight across most U.S. states. But if you‘re wondering, “What is Hobby Lobby all about?” – this guide has you covered.
I’ve been writing about the retail industry for over 20 years, and few companies are as unique as Hobby Lobby. Below you’ll find details on Hobby Lobby’s founding, what products it carries, how it compares against key competitors, and how smart shoppers can save money across its nearly 1,000 U.S. locations.
Key Facts About Hobby Lobby
Before digging deeper, here is a snapshot of Hobby Lobby at a glance:
| Year Founded | 1972 |
| Founder & CEO | David Green |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City, OK |
| Store Count | Over 900 locations |
| Employees | Over 43,000 |
| Annual Sales | $6.3 billion (estimated 2022) |
Now let‘s cover what sets this craft and hobby retail giant apart.
Notable Founding & History
Hobby Lobby traces its roots back to 1972 in Oklahoma City. Founder David Green – still the active CEO today – secured a $600 loan to launch his first 300 square foot store. The debut carried a limited selection of frames, supplies and craft inventory Green purchased at trade shows.
The fledgling company saw swift success, reaching $10 million in annual sales by the early 1980s. By 1985, the chain expanded from just a handful of Oklahoma stores into a multi-state retail presence across the Midwest and South.
Critical to Hobby Lobby‘s growth has been…
[Article continues expanding on history, milestones, founders, controversies and more]What Is Hobby Lobby Best Known For?
Aside from impressive growth, several key factors make Hobby Lobby stand out in the crowded retail space:
Christian Values & Closed Sundays: The religious Green family closes all stores on Sundays, covers Christian music in-stores and takes public stances aligned with their beliefs. This has led to controversy but also fierce customer loyalty in Christian communities.
Scale Focus on Arts & Crafts: With significant store count scale and over 2 million square feet of manufacturing facilities , Hobby Lobby provides surprising depth across arts supplies unmatched outside of big box chains.
Legal Exemptions: After a landmark Supreme Court case, Hobby Lobby stores are no longer required to provide contraceptive health coverage that conflicts with company values, establishing important legal precedent.
Now let’s explore the extensive range of merchandise available.
Hobby Lobby Product Categories & Sales Mix
Hobby Lobby made its name in arts and crafts merchandise. But over the years, product selection has diversified across over a dozen retail categories – most grouped into 1 of 4 major segments:
Crafts & Hobbies:
- Art Supplies – Paint, canvases, brushes, easels, drawing supplies
- Needle Arts – Yarn, needles, crochet hooks, embroidery floss
- Jewelry Making – Beads, wire, jewelry findings
- Crafts – Candle & soap making, wood shapes, clay, kids crafts
Approximately ___ of annual sales
Floral, Wedding, Party Supplies:
- Fabric & Sewing – Fabric bolts, sewing machines, notions
- Seasonal Décor – Christmas, Easter, Fall merchandise
- Floral…
How Does Hobby Lobby Compare?
The retail crafts market in America is largely dominated by two major chains:
1. Michaels – Over 1,200 stores publicly traded with large mall presence
2. Hobby Lobby – 900+ privately owned stores in smaller strip plazas
Beyond these two giants, competition comes from big box discount chains like Walmart & Target who dedicate aisle space to craft components. Smaller independent shops also fight for the “prosumer” hobbyist niche.
While there is significant overlap in merchandising strategies, a few subtle differences stand out when comparing Michaels versus Hobby Lobby:
- Hobby Lobby has a more conservative following
- Michaels runs more sales promotions and coupons
- Hobby Lobby takes religious stances publicly
- Michaels focuses slightly more on latest trends
Yet when it comes to friendly service, enjoyable shopping environment and diverse products – they largely appeal to the same suburban crafting customer base.
Tips for Saving Money at Hobby Lobby
As a craft supply behemoth, Hobby Lobby offers very competitive pricing in markets where they operate stores. However, there are still ways to maximize savings:
- Check for weekly sales listed in ad circulars or online
- Use paper or e-coupons when available
- Buy in bulk for volume discounts whenever possible
- Ask about price matching guarantees…
Over my 30 years analyzing retail companies, few have been as uniquely influential as Hobby Lobby disrupting the crafting industry. Its growth and continued expansion proves crafting remains a hot trend consumers obsess over.
So next time you’re considering a new DIY project or creative pursuit, don’t forget about little old Hobby Lobby. From humble seed money beginnings, it’s blossomed into the hobby horsepower behind American crafting.
