When Euro Disneyland opened, the merchandise sales numbers were really bad. As time passed they realized that the European audience is not the same as here in the states and they as a rule do not buy souvenirs and T shirts with the zeal that we do. Europeans don't wear ballcaps and T Shirts as a uniform, at least they didn't in 1992. The initial knee jerk reaction from merchandise as to why the sales were so off, was to blame the overt and rich theming of the stores themselves and to say that you can't find the merchandise for all the decor. We did have rich theming but in some cases it was in place of an attraction. The trouble was also that the product itself was not something Europeans wanted to buy even if it was more visible. So corporate was conviced by them that we were to blame. The way merchandise was to be displayed had to be changed and WDI was not to be trusted. A very bad time indeed. We were the reason it didn't do well.
Enter the consultants who designed the "World of Disney" store. The Disney retail stores were doing great at that time, out there selling merchandise in a Disney "styled" environment versus a themed one around a land or place. Very merchant driven and not an escape at all. This slowly became the new benchmark for how retail was to be done even inside the park. The merchandise folks loved the "World of Disney" store with high ceilings and solid bulk stacked product up to 8 feet. They claimed it sold more stuff in that format. You could do themed props above that but it's strictly business below. Props and "set dressing" were secondary and shoved aside in favor of "iconic displays" placed at the entrances to draw you in (massive Snow Globe or stuffed Mickey,etc). Lighting was track mounted or recessed halogens en masse and there was an adjustable spotlight for practically every piece of product. Ceilings were a mess. Merchants want to see across the store so the bunkers could only be so high. We had left the "movie set" approach forever and replaced it with a "retailers Disney template" that could have themed seasoning buttered over it.
BTW- It's not to say that you can't point to some very well done retail stores in the parks either. WDI Interiors/Show Quality does very clever things with this formula approach to make it feel less that way. But when you have to replace the real Italian Espresso bar with a Starbucks, something is lost.
That is crazy. Hard to believe that corporate would be blaming WDI for poor merchandise sales. And the reasoning behind it is borderline offensive. To say that people were unable to buy merch because they could not figure out what was for sale. It is too bad, the idea of shopping in a highly themed environment is way more appealing to me, and I am sure many others, then just walking into a space filled with tables and countertops stacked with merchandise. In fact, I dare say I would be spending more money in Disney stores, both inside and outside the parks, if they were highly themed and provided more of an escape from reality.
You are right that WDI has managed to accomplish some very clever things with just being able to use the upper portions of the stores. A good example of this is Sir Mickey's at the Magic Kingdom. For those that don't know, the ceiling in this store is being lifted by the Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk, and he is peeking inside, very cool.
We have been reading the recent reports about Apple's guru Steve Job's declining health lately and it's not good. I for one am a huge fan of his sense of taste and love his outspoken way of cutting through the issues. If we lost him there would be a gaping hole at Apple. It's stock is sliding today possibly as a result of rumors on his impact to the company.
The story I have not heard is the impact of his being Disney's largest single stockholder and from what I can tell, he must contribute in an advisory way to the tech strategies of the WDC. At least in critique. Disney adopted the iPad and were the first studio to jump into supporting iTunes content early on. A Verizon deal kept them out of the iPhone Apps but now that has changed as well. If Steve has to leave the Disney board, will that soften the creative technology edge of Disney? I know he criticized the design of WDI on occasion (Hawaii hotel). Board members review all the big stuff. He has always had an opinion and good taste and that is worth alot. No real way of knowing this but I thought it was worth discussion.
I feel like this is going to be a Major loss for not just apple, but people in general. He has been a visionary, and really pushed technology to new levels.
I had a pretty large portion of my portfolio in Apple up until this past friday. It has been a major win for me overall, but I could not keep my money in that company not knowing his health status. I think Apple will be fine in the long run, but the initial hit will be brutal.
I think, if he does pass, the impact on Disney will not be very significant. I am sure he was a very valuable resource to have, and undoubtably the leader of the board. But Disney is not his company, so I think, they will not feel his loss too badly.
I do admire Jobs a great deal. I love Apple products, I have the Iphone, Ipad, Macbook, Ipods. He is the man, besides John Lasseter, most responsible for PIXAR as well. His passing will be sad.
