Michaels vs A. O. Smith
Side-by-side comparison of AI visibility scores, market position, and capabilities
North America's largest arts and crafts retail chain with 1,250+ stores; Apollo-owned with Jo-Ann bankruptcy creating expansion opportunity competing with Hobby Lobby.
About
Michaels is North America's largest specialty arts and crafts retail chain, operating over 1,250 company-owned stores in the US and Canada offering a vast selection of art supplies, custom picture framing, scrapbooking and paper crafts, yarn and needle arts, seasonal craft supplies, and home décor. Founded in 1973 in Irving, Texas, Michaels went private in a $6.1 billion leveraged buyout led by Apollo Global Management and Blackstone in 2006, then went public again in 2014, and was taken private again in 2021 by Apollo Global Management for approximately $5 billion.\n\nMichaels' product range spans over 45,000 SKUs in major categories: art supplies (paints, canvases, drawing materials), custom framing (in-store custom frame shop), floral (artificial flowers, wreaths), yarn and needle arts (extensive yarn selection, knitting supplies), seasonal (Halloween, Christmas craft supplies), and general crafts. The Michaels brand has added private label brands (Artist's Loft, Recollections for scrapbooking) that generate higher margins than national brands. In-store classes and workshops turn the store into a community space that drives engagement and repeat visits beyond purchases.\n\nIn 2025, Michaels competes with Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024, creating market share opportunity), and Michael's own Amazon storefronts for arts and crafts retail. Jo-Ann's bankruptcy and potential store closures represent a significant competitive opportunity for Michaels to gain share in the fabric and needle arts segments. The crafting market benefited from COVID-era growth as homebound consumers took up crafts, and the category has maintained elevated participation. Michaels' 2025 strategy focuses on capturing Jo-Ann customer migration, growing the Michaels Pro segment (artists, educators, craft businesses), expanding digital and e-commerce capabilities, and deepening the community/workshop programming that differentiates physical craft retail.
Leading water heater manufacturer with $3.5B revenue; heat pump water heaters growing rapidly with IRA tax credits and building electrification mandates.
About
A. O. Smith is a global manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters, boilers, and water treatment products sold under the A. O. Smith, State, American, and Lochinvar brands across North America, China, India, and Europe. Founded in 1874 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, A. O. Smith is listed on the NYSE and generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual revenue. The company is the largest water heater manufacturer in North America, holding approximately 38% market share, and the second largest in China through its Smith brand.
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