Update | Michaels, Scrapbook Expo, Jobs, and more!
In this issue of the Update column, I've got some big news from some of the industry's biggest names - and some great opportunities if you are job hunting! Let's dive in...
Michaels store
Earnings. Michaels Stores held its quarterly earnings call for investors today. The company surprised market watchers by reporting that it missed its quarterly earnings target for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 that ended April 30th. Michaels stock (traded under MIK on the NASDAQ) fell over 8% after the announcement, to close at $27.69 for the day.
In the announcement, Michaels executives blamed weak April sales for the missed earnings estimate. Michaels is far from alone in struggling to meet its April sales goals in 2016. A whole host of U.S. retailers have announced weaker than expected April sales figures, including Costco, Gap, L Brands, Target, Macy's and Nordstrom - to name just a few.
Moving forward, Michaels says it plans to continue to focus on the adult coloring trend, extending its selection of coloring books and coloring materials. The company has also begun expanding the trend off-paper, recently unveiling store displays that feature items such as kids' t-shirts with coloring designs on them along with fabric markers. The company also plans to launch nationwide in July a loyalty program that it has been testing locally in Texas near its headquarters.
For more information on Michaels Stores financial numbers in the first quarter, read the official announcement.
Industry Jobs. The following industry positions are currently posted as available:
New Positions. Bella Blvd has announced that Amy Heller is filling the newly created position of Marketing Director at the company. Heller is known to many in the industry for her time as a Garden Girl at Two Peas in a Bucket, and for her work designing product for the now-defunct Lily Bee Design. But she also has nearly two decades of professional experience in marketing and graphic design, including for Fortune 500 brands. Initial plans for Heller's role at Bella Blvd include development of a new blog and email interaction with customers.
Amy Heller
Amy Heller
Honors. Congratulations to Georganne Bender and Rich Kizer on their Retail Adventures blog being named one of the "7 Retail Publications You Should Be Reading" by retail analytics platform Celect. Retail Adventures has been basking in the spotlight in 2016, with UK retail analysts Retail Vision also naming the blog to its "Top 50 Retail Blogs" list in January.
Events. I had a chance to attend Scrapbook Expo for the first time in 2016 when it came to Orlando this past weekend for an event at the Gaylord Palms resort in Kissimmee.
Scrapbook Expo Orlando 2016
The shows are now officially known as "Stamp & Scrapbook Expo," reflecting the growing presence of stamping products on the show floor. Compared to 2015, there was much more current product on the show floor - I saw a variety of current product from Echo Park, Carta Bella, Simple Stories, Quick Quotes, Graphic 45, Photo Play Paper, Sizzix, Hero Arts, Tim Holtz, and many others. Several booths were carrying a good selection of planner supplies as well.
Several well-known industry names were attracting good crowds in their booth. Stayce DeWid of Art Anthology had a make-n-take running in her booth, with the help of an instructor.
Stayce Dewid
Stayce Dewid
As it was throughout 2015 at the shows, the make-n-take being run by Richard Garay at the Fun Stamper's Journey booth continued to be popular in 2016 in Orlando. The booth was thronged every time that I passed by on Friday.
Fun Stamper's Journey booth
June is a busy month for Orlando area papercrafters, with Stampfest also scheduled to take place in Lakeland at the end of the month.
