Disney Stores offically sold?

[Woody13]

Posted today at mickeynews.com:

"Bob Iger, Disney president, underscored the company's recent earnings strength and reiterated a pledge that full-year profits would rise at least 50 per cent, excluding the potential impact from the disposal of Disney Stores."

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_5234Board

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by Woody13
Posted today at mickeynews.com:

"Bob Iger, Disney president, underscored the company's recent earnings strength and reiterated a pledge that full-year profits would rise at least 50 per cent, excluding the potential impact from the disposal of Disney Stores."

Yes, yes.....we'd all have 100% profit growth if we didn't count any losses. :brick: How silly......

It's smoke and mirrors. He can report whatever he wants the press to hear. That's not the way it works. ACTUAL profits will INCLUDE any losses from sales and reorganization.

 

[imamouse]

I saw this today...

I found this on http://www.themeparkinsider.com/

There is a story about an article in the Orlando Sentinel which indicates/speculates that the Disney Stores will be sold. See the articled titled "Bad Days" dated June 4.

I am concerned about the Disney image and friendliness of the CMs who work in Disney Stores becoming tarnished. If the stores still bear the Disney name, but are owned and operated by a clothing label, and a guest is treated badly by a sales clerk, the guest might hold Disney accountable, BUT the employee is not a Disney CM. I feel like I'm rambling, so I hope my intent is understood.

 

[monorail256]

MANY Disney Store cast members have already been tarnished.

Let's face it... the company has screwed the stores and cast over. I know many people who have been with the company for 10+ years only to have been told "Alright.. well in two months, your stores gonna close and your gonna lose your job. Sorry."

I feel that if it wouldn't have been for the massive change to childrens clothing and toys, the stores wouldn't be where they are now. Sure, when the stores sold the artwork, watches, and high quality items (which everything in the store still contains the same high Disney quality) the stores had to deal with a lot more returns (weather people didn't like it.. or didn't fit them). I understand that a lot of returns can look bad on a stores record... but when they moved to selling cheap, plastic, quick buck items - they lost the crowds. With the loss of crowds, comes a loss of money.

Within the past year, Disney has finally realized this - and unfortunately, they realize this AFTER they put the stores up for sale. Recently more and more collectibles, and adult lined merchandise has become avaliable and is selling VERY well. Audiences (I suppose you could call guests this..) are finally starting to come back into the store. With the current Summer Celebration Sale, and the soon to come Semi Annual Sale, I really do believe that people are going to come in and BUY BUY BUY.

I know, from working these past few days that our store has been doing extremely well due to the Summer Celebration Sale. With all collectible snowglobes on sale for $39.99... we had people coming in with Sears shopping carts.. and leaving with 1 or 2 full of them!

The current events with 'The Childrens Place' possibly taking over The Disney Store really saddens me. Although they may remain known as 'The Disney Store', it just wont be the same. I won't work for Disney anymore... I won't be a cast member... the fun just won't be there.

I know there is really nothing we can do... but all we can do is support the stores while they are still under Disney control. Cast members need to realize that this is not offical yet, and that we are still wearing The Disney Store costume - not The Childrens Place. We need to keep the magic in our towns... its the closest thing some people have to Disney World or Disneyland.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by monorail256
MANY Disney Store cast members have already been tarnished.

Let's face it... the company has screwed the stores and cast over. I know many people who have been with the company for 10+ years only to have been told "Alright.. well in two months, your stores gonna close and your gonna lose your job. Sorry."

I feel that if it wouldn't have been for the massive change to childrens clothing and toys, the stores wouldn't be where they are now. Sure, when the stores sold the artwork, watches, and high quality items (which everything in the store still contains the same high Disney quality) the stores had to deal with a lot more returns (weather people didn't like it.. or didn't fit them). I understand that a lot of returns can look bad on a stores record... but when they moved to selling cheap, plastic, quick buck items - they lost the crowds. With the loss of crowds, comes a loss of money.

Within the past year, Disney has finally realized this - and unfortunately, they realize this AFTER they put the stores up for sale. Recently more and more collectibles, and adult lined merchandise has become avaliable and is selling VERY well. Audiences (I suppose you could call guests this..) are finally starting to come back into the store. With the current Summer Celebration Sale, and the soon to come Semi Annual Sale, I really do believe that people are going to come in and BUY BUY BUY.

I know, from working these past few days that our store has been doing extremely well due to the Summer Celebration Sale. With all collectible snowglobes on sale for $39.99... we had people coming in with Sears shopping carts.. and leaving with 1 or 2 full of them!

The current events with 'The Childrens Place' possibly taking over The Disney Store really saddens me. Although they may remain known as 'The Disney Store', it just wont be the same. I won't work for Disney anymore... I won't be a cast member... the fun just won't be there.

I know there is really nothing we can do... but all we can do is support the stores while they are still under Disney control. Cast members need to realize that this is not offical yet, and that we are still wearing The Disney Store costume - not The Childrens Place. We need to keep the magic in our towns... its the closest thing some people have to Disney World or Disneyland.

I have to agree that the sales are working fairly well. We exceeded our store goal by over 3,000 dollars on Saturday.

Overall though at our store, Morale is down. The cast members are really upset that we may not be Disney that much longer. It has really taken a hit on the overall positive mood of the store.

 

[monorail256]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
I have to agree that the sales are working fairly well. We exceeded our store goal by over 3,000 dollars on Saturday.

Overall though at our store, Morale is down. The cast members are really upset that we may not be Disney that much longer. It has really taken a hit on the overall positive mood of the store.

...and that's why Disney Store castmember are beginning to be even more tarnished. If the possibility of your store closing isnt bad enough... lets just add in that you might not even be considered a Disney CM anymore.

Oh... lets just get this over with. Childrens Place, please just let us know...

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by monorail256
...and that's why Disney Store castmember are beginning to be even more tarnished. If the possibility of your store closing isnt bad enough... lets just add in that you might not even be considered a Disney CM anymore.

Oh... lets just get this over with. Childrens Place, please just let us know...

We aren't really worried about being closed because we are one of the most profitable stores in the area. But the CM's don't plan on sticking around if we are sold.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
We aren't really worried about being closed because we are one of the most profitable stores in the area. But the CM's don't plan on sticking around if we are sold.

Which store in NJ are you at? I work at the Lehigh Valley Mall store near Allentown. It's a great store with a great location...no other Disney Stores within 45 minutes of us!

We also had a wonderful day on Saturday. People were buying snow globes like there was no tomorrow! We need more product and sales that like to help the stores through this time!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by TheDisneyGirl02
Which store in NJ are you at? I work at the Lehigh Valley Mall store near Allentown. It's a great store with a great location...no other Disney Stores within 45 minutes of us!

We also had a wonderful day on Saturday. People were buying snow globes like there was no tomorrow! We need more product and sales that like to help the stores through this time!

TheDisneyGirl02

I'm at the Freehold Store.

 

[monorail256]

I'm not saying that our store is preforming bad... (the snowglobe sale sure did help though ) but in all reality, do they really close them based on how profitable you are?

Last week we had our Monroeville store closed... and then they announced that another area mall store would be closed also. This new store is a top preforming store! We couldn't believe it.

The weird thing is though... it seems to be going based upon store number. And the list goes.. Monroeville, "other store", then us! We're really worried.

Good luck to all castmembers out there... and everyone.. KEEP SHOPPING. Keep the magic in your town (as someone else on the board says... :lol: ).

*other store* is going to remain anonymous... just because I dont need anymore people coming into the store asking about stores closing. It's sad to talk about...

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by monorail256
I'm not saying that our store is preforming bad... (the snowglobe sale sure did help though ) but in all reality, do they really close them based on how profitable you are?

Closure of The Disney Stores seems to hinge upon leases that have come up for renewal. Most of the big mall owners (such as simon.com) routinely increase lease fees based upon tenure and profitability of the stores in their malls. Simon also requires some tenets to sign long term lease agreements (i.e. 5 years).

Disney has wisely decided not to enter into such contracts.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by Woody13
Closure of The Disney Stores seems to hinge upon leases that have come up for renewal. Most of the big mall owners (such as simon.com) routinely increase lease fees based upon tenure and profitability of the stores in their malls. Simon also requires some tenets to sign long term lease agreements (i.e. 5 years).

Disney has wisely decided not to enter into such contracts.

My store still has 8 years on the lease, and we signed a new contract 2 years ago.

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
My store still has 8 years on the lease, and we signed a new contract 2 years ago.

Yes. That was before the decision to sell the stores. Therefore, your store should be in good shape!:wave:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by Woody13
Yes. That was before the decision to sell the stores. Therefore, your store should be in good shape!:wave:

Like I said earlier, I'm not too worried about being closed. We are a large store that makes a lot of money. My concern is not working for Disney. It was the reason I went to the store in the first place. I don't want to work for the Children's Place, because then it is just like every other type of retail store.

 

[monorail256]

Whoopie!

I worked tonight 6-10, just me and the store manager.. and she told me that today she got a phone call saying that our store got a 3 year extension to our lease!

I'm happy!

 

[kylestylelevi]

Hey its good to know that there are still disney store employees out there who care and worry about there store. I work for a store in NC and it just funny because there are three stores within a 30 mile radius of each other. We have all been sitting on pins and needles b/c we dont know who is going on the chopping block. I have heard that disney closes there stores based on the population of cities??? and the more people in your city the better chances you have of staying open. Anyways disney cant really base the closing on sales figures! For instance between our three stores a normal day for us is around $2500 where other stores may only be planned at $1500 well if both of the stores makes $2000 it looks bad for one and great for the other? But the question is.....is disney closing the old pink and green stores (which look great i think except the colors)? Well i just thought i would chime in on the subject! Oh and by the way even id the Childrens Place buys the Disney stores I am proud to work anywhere that supports teamwork and making the guests experiance as memorable as possible!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by kylestylelevi
Hey its good to know that there are still disney store employees out there who care and worry about there store. I work for a store in NC and it just funny because there are three stores within a 30 mile radius of each other. We have all been sitting on pins and needles b/c we dont know who is going on the chopping block. I have heard that disney closes there stores based on the population of cities??? and the more people in your city the better chances you have of staying open. Anyways disney cant really base the closing on sales figures! For instance between our three stores a normal day for us is around $2500 where other stores may only be planned at $1500 well if both of the stores makes $2000 it looks bad for one and great for the other? But the question is.....is disney closing the old pink and green stores (which look great i think except the colors)? Well i just thought i would chime in on the subject! Oh and by the way even id the Childrens Place buys the Disney stores I am proud to work anywhere that supports teamwork and making the guests experiance as memorable as possible!

I would think it would have to do with the money you are bringing in rather than the population of the place you are in. If you are in a small town but make a good amount of money then they should have no problem with your store. That is why I am not worried about our store. Our average weekend goals are around 13,000 (and around 30,000 on holidays). Even though we are in a pretty populated area, the money you get will have to ultimately determine the fate of your store.

 

[walts son 1971]

I work part time at a Disney store one million plus sales this year,we have been open since 1995.Rumor is we will all stay Disney until january or feb then be taken over by the childrens place.Halloween costumes are selling like hot cakes already and we sold out of the $85.00 ones already.Personally I think they should keep open the 100 top stores and fill them with better items like we used to have,and tons of WDW items sell great.The Disney stores are making a profit now very stupid to sell but Disney is not known for all there smart moves lately.

 

[Figment1986]

I love the Disney Store.. It is great... the stuffed animals in the back are nice... Wish their was more items though... More items that aren't all kid related or clothing... Near me their is 3 stores... each different malls. one expensive... one semi expensive.. one near the university... Each i believe make great profit... I hope they dont close them down...

 

[walts son 1971]

The store I work at is the only one left in the state there used to be six stores and now just us.The only other store neer ours is 100 miles away and they arent doing well and they didnt move into the new mall like they thaught they where.Our lease is up feb first so we will see how long we will last,only good thing is there is no childrens place in our mall.I have been a Disney store castmember for 6 years sad to see it end this way,I wont work at the childrens place if no WDW discounts.