Disney stores to close??

[jmarc63]

I knew this was comming!!!

With all the changes in the last five years to merchandise and store decor this was ineveitable, The delcine of availability
with some merchandise , especially videos, has driven customers away, and the stores cant stay profitable, so I was figuring not if but when Disney was pulling the plug, and todays news seem so set the stage for the closer of the Disney stores

Disney weighs sale, closure of stores -report
5/16/2003 2:15:44 AM

NEW YORK, May 16 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co. (DIS) is debating whether to close additional retail stores or even sell all or part of the underperforming chain, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report also states that a decision has yet to be reached, and that changes could be weeks away. The number of Disney retail stores has already been reduced to 387 in North America and about 160 overseas, the Journal reported.

A representative of Disney could not immediately be reached for comment early on Friday.

 

[Monorail Lime]

Oh fantastic. I hope we don't go the way of the Warner Brothers store!

 

[jmarc63]

Originally posted by Monorail Lime
Oh fantastic. I hope we don't go the way of the Warner Brothers store!

Lime, can you refresh my memory od what did happen with the WB stores closing?

 

[epcot71]

well this is my 2 cents worth.
1-dont loose sleep until its officially announced by the walt disney company.as like many other times we all(including myself) we all get excited and even mad when we hear of things thet are going to happen for the worse.i read the article in full and it says from sources close to the matter.that source could have been the waiter at the cafe that 2 disney execs were eating at one day talking about trying to get disney store back on track and got all turned around and went down the line got leaked out that disney is closing all the stores.
2-even if there is some trith to the article if anything i think they will either restructure disney store or close additional stores but will not shutter the entire operation or worse than that sell to another company.there was a rumour about 5 years ago that disney was to sell disney store to sears.thed operate it and disney would get royalties.-NOT!!!
disney is very picky about their brand and wil not want to worry about any other companies employees doing it justice.the only change from thet polciy is when disney sold all the disney store japan to olc(the compnay who owns disneyland tokyo)the only reason the did that is because of the outstanding job they have done keeping up with the disney standard running the park.
3- tom staggs isnt stupid he realizes after disney gets their market share back finds a niche again and economic conditions improve disney again will capitalize on their goldmine called disney store.

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by epcot71
well this is my 2 cents worth.
1-dont loose sleep until its officially announced by the walt disney company.as like many other times we all(including myself) we all get excited and even mad when we hear of things thet are going to happen for the worse.i read the article in full and it says from sources close to the matter.that source could have been the waiter at the cafe that 2 disney execs were eating at one day talking about trying to get disney store back on track and got all turned around and went down the line got leaked out that disney is closing all the stores.
2-even if there is some trith to the article if anything i think they will either restructure disney store or close additional stores but will not shutter the entire operation or worse than that sell to another company.there was a rumour about 5 years ago that disney was to sell disney store to sears.thed operate it and disney would get royalties.-NOT!!!
disney is very picky about their brand and wil not want to worry about any other companies employees doing it justice.the only change from thet polciy is when disney sold all the disney store japan to olc(the compnay who owns disneyland tokyo)the only reason the did that is because of the outstanding job they have done keeping up with the disney standard running the park.
3- tom staggs isnt stupid he realizes after disney gets their market share back finds a niche again and economic conditions improve disney again will capitalize on their goldmine called disney store.

:lookaroun

I AGREE!! :lol:

:lookaroun

 

[MKCustodial]

I think Disney got a little carried away with the stores. They shouldn't have more than one per town or region, and they should invest it on the international market. What's the use of having tons of Disney Stores in Orlando? They should have at least one in every major city in the world, so that they could remind people that their name is out there, and that they have movies, clothes, toys, parks and so on.

 

[SnowWhite5669]

Originally posted by MKCustodial
I think Disney got a little carried away with the stores. They shouldn't have more than one per town or region, and they should invest it on the international market. What's the use of having tons of Disney Stores in Orlando? They should have at least one in every major city in the world, so that they could remind people that their name is out there, and that they have movies, clothes, toys, parks and so on.

I totally agree. I work for Disney Store and my original store was closed in January which was sad but in a 20 mile radius there were 3 Disney Stores. Market saturation is the down fall of any store or industry. If you only have a certain amount of customers and 3 stores than you would have minimal sales in each store. That is totally what happened in our store. It's June and I still have people asking me to call Providence Place for an item, they don't even know the store's not there- so how often do they even go to that mall?!?! We were told that Disney is looking into all options and there is no official word on what is happening.
All I know is that I am going to enjoy my company benefits while I still have them. 35 days and counting until Beach Club:sohappy:

 

[VILLAINSRULE]

I wonder when the official word about the stores will come out? I cant see that they would close all of them, but I can definitely see some of them closing......it is nuts to have so many w/in driving distance of another one.........I dont think the Disney stores have the magic they once had, it is too "princessy" now, and too much like a specialized version of toys-r-us........sad sad sad.....hope they can find the magic once again!

 

[CTXRover]

I agree that the Disney stores have gone downhill in quality recently. I still walk through mine for the Disney atmosphere, but there isn't one thing I would even consider buying. It is mostly princess stuff and little boy's toys. The store is probably great if you have children, but it used to have a little bit for everyone, including us 'older' kids. They even put up these 'junky' cardboard photos of characters that cover up the great themed top shelf that circles the whole store.

I always thought the Disney stores could be more profitable if they completely changed the stuff the sell. Not only sell typical Disney merchandise, but also reach out to a larger audience with things from ABC's shows, ESPN gear (like sold at Downtown Disney), stuff from Touchstone/Miramax/Hollywood Pictures movies, etc., along with the stuff they sell now.

 

[CTXRover]

Disney looking to sell stores/License off stores

Here is an article about Disney's official statement that they are indeed looking to sell off their stores and license the brand name and merchandise to the buyer. They successfully sold off the Japan stores to OLC (the same company that operates Tokyo Disneyland Resort) and license the Disney name to the company.

Thus, from what I understand, the stores will be owned and operated by someone other than Disney, while the same Disney merchandise will still be sold. In other words, Disney will still be able to make money from selling their product, without the operation costs of running retail stores. This is somewhat a reasonable move, as long as they don't let the buyer damage the Disney image/brand.

However, should they be unable to find a buyer (the problem WB stores faced), they may close the stores down completely. Kind of sad

(Article: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-leisure-disney.html )

 

[BRER STITCH]

Kind of a shame using the Disney Stores as a scapegoat instead of an opportunity to correct their mistake.

If the blood would ever stop flowing from ABC, they could salvage this prime opportunity to market their products.

By getting back to the correct product mix instead of turning them into dens of plush and princess costumes, they would once agian turn a profit and keep the Disney money machine rolling!

I'm not going to pretend to solve their problem here, as I have my own businesses to run...but with a few simple changes those stores could be places that the PARENTS drag the KIDS into!

Where were all the great Disney minds while this was happening??? Oh yes....placing bandaids on ABC's bullet wounds.

:lookaroun :lookaroun