Hobby Lobby Discontinuing Popular 40 Percent Discount Coupon

CONNECTICUT — Arts and Crafts giant Hobby Lobby is planning to cut out its popular 40-percent-off coupon next month.

The discount was good at both Hobby Lobby stores and for online orders, but it will no longer be in effect beginning Feb. 28, officials said Wednesday on Facebook. The coupon applies for one item at regular price and can be used once per day per customer.

Hobby Lobby officials divulged the plan in a response to a customer asking the chain to confirm social media scuttlebutt.

The exchange went like this:

Customer: "Is the rumor true you will be discontinuing your 40% off coupon in Feb.?"

Official Answer: "As of February 28th, 2021, Hobby Lobby will no longer be offering the 40% off coupon in stores or online. By making this decision, we are intensifying our efforts to discount thousands of items every day. This will offer a better value instead of providing a discount on only one item with the coupon. It is always our intent to provide you with beyond compare service, great prices and the best selection. We appreciate your understanding during this period of transition and thank you for your continued business."

As of Thursday, 2,368,905 people followed the Hobby Lobby Facebook page.

Hobby Lobby was founded in 1972 and currently operates 923 retail stores nationwide. In Connecticut, Hobby Lobby has stores in Manchester, Bristol, Milford and East Haven.

The announcement had 35 related comments, most of them angry and some customers vowed never to shop at Hobby Lobby again. Two savvy shoppers commented that they were knee-jerk reactions and storewide discounts already in place "guarantee" they would be back.

Hobby Lobby had been riding a wave of popularity since September, when officials announced that the chain would be raising its minimum full-time hourly wage to $17 for store employees.

The move became effective Oct. 1.

Hobby Lobby has raised its minimum wages 10 times over the last eleven years. In 2014, Hobby Lobby raised its full-time minimum hourly wage to $15.

"We have always worked hard to be a retail leader when it comes to taking care of our people," Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green said in the fall. "From closing our stores on Sundays and at 8 p.m. the rest of the week, to providing some of the best pay and benefits in the retail industry, we are thankful that we are able to share our success with our valued employees and provide time for rest, family and worship. These investments allow Hobby Lobby to attract and retain a great group of associates who in turn help provide the wonderfully unique shopping experience enjoyed by our many loyal customers."

Green added, "Because this year has presented so many challenges to our employees, we are very happy that we are able to provide pay increases to thousands of our associates before the Christmas season."