2009-11-10 15:46:02 -

Michaels, North America’s largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, announced today the launch of Gift Card Mall™ in all of its over 900 U.S. stores including its first New York City Manhattan store, which opened on October 18.

Through its partnership with Blackhawk Network, the largest third-party provider of prepaid gift-cards, Michaels will now carry Blackhawk’s signature Gift Card Mall, featuring more than 100 of the best branded gift cards across a number of different categories including fashion, tickets, electronics, home and sports. Brands include: iTunes, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store ® , Macy’s, Gap, The Home Depot ® , AMC Entertainment ® , Sears, Foot Locker ® , Visa ® and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, to name a few.

“Our customers will welcome the convenience of having a wide variety

of gift cards available, in addition to Michaels’ gift cards, as they purchase holiday décor, stocking stuffers, last minute gifts and creative gift card packaging,” said Philo Pappas, executive vice president of Category Management at Michaels. “Our partnership with Blackhawk Network gives our customers yet another reason to make Michaels a top destination for gifts for everyone on their list.”


Currently reaching more than 165 million consumers a week, Gift Card Mall is available through an exclusive retail network of leading grocery, mass, convenience, drug and specialty stores. Michaels is the only arts and crafts specialty retailer to offer the convenience and selection of Gift Card Mall to its customers.

“Our mission is to simplify the gift card shopping experience for consumers and give people what they want, when they want it,” said Talbott Roche, senior vice president of Blackhawk Network. “We are thrilled to launch Gift Card Mall in Michaels in time for the holiday season. Many consumers will be shopping at Michaels for crafts to decorate their homes and now they will have the added convenience of buying gifts at Gift Card Mall for their friends and family.”


About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a prepaid and payments network, a market leader in card-based financial solutions and the largest provider of third-party prepaid cards. Blackhawk Network develops unique products in easy-to-use formats and delivers them to consumers through an exclusive retail network of leading grocery, mass, convenience, drug and specialty retailers. The network reaches more than 165 million consumers each week. Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .


About Michaels

Michaels Stores, Inc. is North America’s largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. The company currently owns and operates over 1000 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada and over 150 Aaron Brothers stores. For more information visit www.michaels.com : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .



Blackhawk NetworkTeri Llach, 925-226-9028 teri.llach@bhnetwork.com : mailto:teri.llach@bhnetwork.com orMWW
Group for Blackhawk NetworkMeghan Fintland, 415-318-4332 mfintland@mww.com : mailto:mfintland@mww.com