Why Are Art Supply Companies Closing: The Truth

Art store closures are a growing concern for artists and creative communities worldwide. The question of why art supply companies are closing is complex, stemming from a combination of shifting consumer habits, economic pressures, and the evolving landscape of retail.

The Shifting Sands of Art Supply Retail

The reasons for art supply business decline are multifaceted, touching on everything from how people shop to the cost of doing business. For decades, the local art supply store was a cornerstone for artists. It was a place to see, touch, and test materials, to get expert advice, and to connect with fellow creatives. However, this traditional model is facing significant headwinds.

The Rise of Online Commerce

Perhaps the most significant factor contributing to art supply company closures is the impact of online art sales and the general shift towards e-commerce. Platforms like Amazon, Blick Art Materials, Jerry’s Artarama, and even specialized online art suppliers offer unparalleled convenience and often competitive pricing. Artists can browse vast catalogs, read reviews, and have products delivered directly to their doorsteps, often with speedy shipping. This immediacy and ease of access are hard for brick-and-mortar stores to match.

Convenience: Online shopping allows artists to purchase supplies at any time, from anywhere, without the need to travel or adhere to store hours.
Selection: Online retailers typically stock a much wider array of brands, types, and quantities of art supplies than a physical store can manage.
Price Competition: The online marketplace fosters intense price competition, making it difficult for smaller, independent stores to compete on cost alone.

Challenges for Brick-and-Mortar Art Shops

Independent art supply stores often find themselves struggling against these online giants. They face unique challenges for brick-and-mortar art shops that go beyond simply stocking inventory.

High Overhead Costs: Rent, utilities, staff wages, and inventory management for a physical space are substantial. These costs are fixed, regardless of sales volume, putting constant pressure on profit margins.
Limited Foot Traffic: As more shopping moves online, foot traffic in many retail areas has declined, impacting stores that rely on impulse buys and walk-in customers.
Inventory Investment: Maintaining a diverse and up-to-date inventory of art supplies requires significant capital investment. A physical store needs to carry a broad range of products to appeal to different artists, from painters and sculptors to printmakers and calligraphers. This can tie up a lot of money that might not turn over quickly.
Expertise vs. Price: While many independent art supply stores pride themselves on knowledgeable staff who can offer expert advice, this personalized service often comes at a higher price point. Customers may seek advice in-store but then purchase the product online at a lower cost.

Declining Artist Spending

While art creation is a resilient practice, declining artist spending can also be a contributing factor. This can be influenced by broader economic conditions.

Economic Factors Affecting Art Businesses:
- Recessionary Periods: During economic downturns, discretionary spending, including on art supplies, is often one of the first areas to be cut. Artists, like many consumers, may tighten their belts.
- Inflation: Rising costs for raw materials, manufacturing, and shipping mean that art supply companies have to increase their prices. This can make art more expensive for creators, leading them to scale back their purchases or seek cheaper alternatives.
- Gig Economy and Income Instability: Many artists work in the gig economy or have fluctuating incomes. This instability can make it challenging for them to commit to large purchases of art supplies consistently.
- Cost of Living: As the cost of living increases, artists may have less disposable income available for their creative pursuits.
Changing Artistic Practices: While less of a primary driver for closures, some shifts in how art is made can also play a minor role. For example, the increasing popularity of digital art might lead to a slight decrease in demand for certain traditional physical supplies among younger or emerging artists. However, this is often offset by the continued vibrancy of traditional mediums.

The Role of Big Box Stores

Beyond online retailers, larger chain art supply stores and even general big-box retailers with art sections can also exert pressure. These larger entities often have greater purchasing power, allowing them to negotiate better prices with manufacturers and offer more aggressive sales.

Struggles of Individual Retailers

The term struggling art retailers accurately describes the situation for many independent art supply stores. They are caught between the convenience and pricing of online giants and the purchasing power of large chains.

Adapting to Survive: Strategies for Art Supply Businesses

The future of art supply retail depends on businesses’ ability to adapt and innovate. Here are some strategies that art supply companies are employing to stay afloat:

Diversifying Product Offerings

Expanding Beyond Traditional Supplies: Some stores are broadening their inventory to include related items like framing services, art books, curated gift items, and even unique stationery.
Focusing on Niche Markets: Catering to specific art communities, such as watercolorists, ceramicists, or printmakers, can create a loyal customer base.
Offering Custom Solutions: Providing custom color mixing, special orders for rare materials, or tailored kits can be a significant draw.

Enhancing the In-Store Experience

Creating Community Hubs: Art supply stores can transform into community centers by hosting workshops, classes, artist talks, and exhibitions. This provides value beyond just selling products and fosters a sense of belonging.
Expert Advice and Demonstrations: Emphasizing knowledgeable staff and offering product demonstrations can highlight the benefits of in-person shopping.
Hands-On Product Testing: Allowing customers to physically test brushes, feel paper textures, and swatch paints is an advantage that online shopping cannot replicate.

Leveraging Digital Channels

Building a Strong Online Presence: Even brick-and-mortar stores need a robust website for online sales, informative content, and customer engagement.
Social Media Engagement: Using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to showcase new products, share artist features, promote events, and interact with customers can build brand loyalty.
Email Marketing: Regular newsletters with promotions, event announcements, and helpful tips can keep customers informed and engaged.

Loyalty Programs and Customer Service

Rewarding Repeat Customers: Loyalty programs, discounts for members, and personalized recommendations can encourage repeat business.
Exceptional Customer Service: Going above and beyond to help customers find what they need, offering personalized recommendations, and providing a friendly atmosphere can differentiate a store.

The Human Element: What’s Lost with Closures

The closure of art supply stores represents more than just a loss of retail outlets. It signifies the erosion of community spaces and specialized knowledge centers.

Impact on Local Art Communities

Loss of Expertise: Independent art supply stores often employ staff who are artists themselves, possessing deep knowledge of different mediums, techniques, and materials. This expertise is invaluable for aspiring and established artists alike.
Reduced Access to Materials: For artists who cannot rely on online shipping or who prefer to see products before buying, the closure of local stores can limit their access to essential supplies.
Diminished Community Spaces: These stores often serve as informal gathering places where artists can connect, share ideas, and find inspiration. Their loss can fragment local art communities.
Impact on Emerging Artists: Students and emerging artists, who may have limited budgets and less experience navigating online purchasing, can be particularly affected by the closure of accessible, knowledgeable brick-and-mortar stores.

Economic Ripple Effects

When art supply companies close, it’s not just the owners and employees who suffer. There are broader economic consequences:

Job Losses: Retail jobs are lost, impacting local employment rates.
Reduced Local Tax Revenue: Fewer businesses mean less tax revenue for local governments.
Impact on Related Businesses: Framing shops, art schools, and galleries that relied on a healthy art supply ecosystem may also feel the pinch.

Fathoming the Future of Art Supply Retail

The future of art supply retail is undoubtedly complex. While the challenges are significant, the enduring passion for art and the need for tangible materials mean that there will always be a market.

The businesses that are likely to thrive will be those that:

Embrace Omnichannel Strategies: Seamlessly integrating their online and in-store experiences.
Focus on Value Beyond Price: Offering expertise, community, and a unique customer experience.
Adapt to Evolving Artist Needs: Staying informed about new materials, techniques, and technological advancements.
Build Strong Brand Loyalty: Creating meaningful connections with their customer base.

While the landscape is changing, the creativity and dedication of artists remain constant. The art supply industry will need to adapt and evolve to continue serving this vital creative spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are so many art supply stores closing?

A1: Many art supply stores are closing due to a combination of factors, including increased competition from online retailers, high operating costs for physical stores, changing consumer shopping habits, and sometimes, declining artist spending due to economic conditions.

Q2: Can I still find good art supplies if my local store closes?

A2: Yes, absolutely! While local closures are unfortunate, there are still many excellent online art supply retailers and larger chain stores that offer a wide variety of materials. Many independent stores are also enhancing their online presence to continue serving customers.

Q3: What can artists do to support their local art supply stores?

A3: Artists can support their local stores by shopping there whenever possible, attending workshops or events they host, spreading the word about their offerings, and providing positive feedback and reviews. Even small purchases can make a difference.

Q4: How has the internet changed the art supply business?

A4: The internet has revolutionized the art supply business by enabling online sales, making a wider range of products accessible to more people, and fostering price competition. It has also created new marketing and community-building opportunities for art supply companies.

Q5: What are the main challenges for independent art supply stores?

A5: Independent art supply stores face challenges such as competing with the lower prices and convenience of online retailers, managing the high overhead costs of a physical location, investing in diverse inventory, and attracting sufficient foot traffic in an increasingly digital world.