They just need to get back to the "imagine" part of "imagineering"...
Once a store has been designed, the items sold in them is dictated by merchandise, not Imagineers.
I keep checking to see if it has changed back, but unfortunately it doesn't look like it ever will.
The store probably won't fully return to the one that you remember but I am sure it also will not go completely away. Sid's has an amazing back story to it while also being one of the more selective stores for cast members to work it.
I just don't understand how they don't get it: More unique items = more sales. More of the same stuff you bought yesterday = less sales.
Not really. For a vacation destination such as WDW, it's pretty much the opposite. Most people who visit are looking for their typical vacation souvenirs, not usually some obscure item that can only be found in one store at one park. People want their Mickey ears, their autograph books, and their plush Mickeys.
Now, it's not the same with all people, but the majority of the guests want what pretty much every other guest wants. And because of these similar wants, a lot of the same items of manufactured.....and at a cheaper cost too since everything arrives in bulk.
But, since true specialty items are special, they are not produced in bulk, meaning the cost of production is higher...thus making the price tag on each item higher. Simple economics.
Just using Sid's as an example, you'd be surprised at how little actually gets sold there on a daily basis.
but there should also be unique stuff to really maximize sales (and profits).
The problem is, if unique items are produced and aren't sold, the company loses money on those products. The lose of money will lower their confidence in the decision to further produce specialty items in the future.
Of course, a unique item might be a hit...you never know.
At the end of the day, Disney is a company and for the most part, they will look towards the bottom line.
After all, you're not only selling merchandise, you're selling the "Disney Experience." If people feel they can get the same merchandise anywhere, it loses it's uniqueness and people will stop seeing it's value. The parks will also lose some appeal because people will feel they can get the same merchandise at their local Disney Store.
That's why many items (like plush) are marked "Park Exclusive." It adds to the value of the item because it promises a uniqueness to the item.....that it cannot be found outside their parks.
From what I always see, many guests love the idea of having the option of purchasing similar items at all four parks, at Downtown Disney, and their Resorts. Having generic merchandise sold in multiple locations gives guests the option to purchase items when they want as opposed to being focused to buy one item that they really want but can only find at this one store in this one location. Now, a guest has the ability to purchase a similar item later at night say at Downtown Disney or the Magic Kingdom instead of worrying about buying it where they originally saw it that day or trying to return to it later.
i remember when it first opened and they had a big picture of all the disney villians and if you could name them all correctly you would get a prize either a big keyring or a small action figure of your fave villian i love my malificent one i got still take it everywhere