Michaels Threads Opportunity from Joann’s Bankruptcy Fallout
Jun/06/2025
With the bankruptcy of Joann marking another retreat in the embattled U.S. retail landscape, Michaels has swiftly acquired the ailing craft chain’s intellectual property and private-label brands, a tactical move aimed at capturing displaced customer demand—particularly in sewing and fabric. While the purchase omits Joann’s physical stores, which are currently undergoing liquidation, Michaels is leveraging the brand equity embedded in lines like Big Twist Posh and Twinkle to reinforce its expanded assortment. The retailer has seen online searches for “sewing” and “fabric” surge by 39% and 77%, respectively, and now welcomes Joann loyalists with dedicated digital storefronts. Unlike other bankrupt chains that have retained a fragment of their brick-and-mortar presence, Joann appears poised for brand absorption, if not quiet retirement. CEO David Boone signaled that this acquisition strengthens Michaels’ positioning as North America’s creative hub, but questions remain about how, or whether, the Joann name will endure under new stewardship. Following tag cloud shows all registered and pending trademarks by Joann Stores with related classes, offering a comprehensive visual overview of the brand’s intellectual property footprint across various goods and service categories.
