Michaels is the largest arts and crafts retail chain in the United States. It currently operates over 800 Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores located in 48 states and in Canada. The company also owns the Aaron Brothers, ReCollections, and Star Decorators Wholesale Warehouse retail chains. The corporate headquarters are located in Irving, Texas. The company employs 12,500 people. The chain was first publicly traded in 1984 and has grown rapidly since that time.

The average Michaels store now contains 40,000 different products in 18,200 square feet (1,700 m²) of selling space. The typical store has roughly States Dollar|$" target="_blank" >^*3.9 million in annual sales. The stores sell a selection of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise. Michaels provides custom framing and custom floral service at all stores. Classes, demonstrations, and children's birthday parties are frequent events at the stores.

Recent growth has been fueled by the popularity of scrapbooking, beading, and the resurgence of knitting. The chain also continues to devote more floor space to home decor and popular seasonal items. Although Michaels is the largest such chain in the country, competitors include: Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin Stores, Joann's, and several smaller chains.

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