Charlotte, NC – Baker & Taylor Inc., the world's largest distributor of physical and digital books and entertainment products, today announced an exclusive, long-term agreement with Michaels, North America's largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts. Baker & Taylor will provide full-service merchandising and supply chain solutions to Michaels' more than 1,000 stores in support of Michaels' unique book sales and merchandising needs.

"We are thrilled that Michaels, a best-in-class specialty retailer, has chosen to entrust its book program to Baker & Taylor," said David Cully, President Retail Markets and Executive Vice President, Merchandising for Baker & Taylor. "We look forward to supporting Michaels with not only supply chain solutions for the book program but also with the expertise of our retail and merchandising teams."

The agreement with Michaels represents Baker & Taylor's latest expansion of its comprehensive vendor-managed inventory and replenishment services for specialty retailers whose primary products are not in the book and entertainment categories.

"Baker & Taylor was specifically chosen to manage our book program based on its dedication to increasing sales and improving the productivity of our inventory," said Eric Dickenson, Vice President at Michaels. "Together with Baker & Taylor, we look forward to creating a must-shop book section for our customers and hobby enthusiasts."

Baker & Taylor will provide Michaels with a variety of value-added services, such as category management, inventory management and planagrams. Michaels will also have at its disposal a nationwide team of Baker & Taylor field service representatives.

"Baker & Taylor delivers complete solutions for its retail partners," said John Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Merchandising for Baker & Taylor. "We offer superior merchandising and a comprehensive suite of solutions for all retailers who sell books and entertainment products."