Hobby Lobby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hobby Lobby is a privately held retail chain of arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is formally called Hobby Lobby Creative Centers.
Founded by David Green on August 3, 1972, the chain has 378 stores in 29 states as of July 2006. The company has projected sales of 1.65 billion dollars in 2006. Hobby Lobby headquarters are located in a 3.4 million square foot manufacturing, distribution and office complex. In 2004, as national retail sales struggled, the company had its first downturn in sales in 20 years.
Hobby Lobby has often been criticized for its business practices. The majority of goods carried in the stores are imported and carry a high markup. The company originally brought in most of its management from the religious denomination of its majority owner. Some critics claim that newer employees, who have not come from the same religious background of the founder, have been relegated to lower-level positions. A program called "Character First" has been introduced to develop the character of employees (the program comes from Institute in Basic Life Principles, the organization headed by Bill Gothard).
As of this time, stores do not use a barcode system and therefore rely on the hand pricing and ordering of items.
One way that Hobby Lobby can maintain continuity among stores is by controlling the music, which is delivered via satellite from headquarters with carefully chosen music. This music blends light jazz, classical, bluegrass, and Contemporary music styles (a large percentage of the chosen tunes are instrumental adaptations of traditional Christian hymns) into one single playlist which loops continuously (as an interesting sidenote, alongside the many religious hymns is an adaptation of George Harrison's "Within You Without You").
Hobby Lobby locations have general operating hours from 9AM to 8PM Monday to Saturday. All locations are closed on Sunday, in respect to the founder's Christian beliefs.
[edit] Affiliated companies
- Mardel - a Christian bookstore chain
- Hemispheres - a home furnishings company
- Crafts Etc! - a craft wholesaler and online retailer
- H.L. Construction - which handles the construction and renovation of Hobby Lobby stores
- Bearing Fruit Communications - an advertising agency
- Hong Kong Connection - Chinese sourcing and buying office
