Fifty Thousand New Items, Zero Stale Shelves

“During the course of a year at Hobby Lobby, you will see approximately 50,000 new items. That is because of two practices: 1. About a fifth of the year-round items (more than 9,000) are retired and replaced every year. We’re constantly purging the warehouse of items whose sales pattern is slowing. Meanwhile, new items, as well as new colors, new styles, and new sizes, are always coming online. 2. About four-fifths of the seasonal and onetime items (some 40,000 of them)won’t be repeated next time around. Put the two groups together, and you have nearly 50,000 items you didn’t see a year ago.”

“Time after time, surveys of our customers tell us they come to Hobby Lobby most of all for the amazing selection. Newcomers walk in the front door and don’t get halfway to the back wall before uttering, “My goodness—this place has everything!” That’s exactly the reaction our company’s creative director (who happens to be my daughter, Darsee) is seeking. She calls it a creative frenzy. “Nobody brings together so many unique things under one roof,” she says.”