Children's Place to acquire Disney Stores

[yensiD naF]

Call it rumors or pre-confirmation if you will, but I have it on good authority that the sale of Disney Stores to The Children's Place will occur on October 11. Some of you have already heard this and there are lots of rumors out there. Here are some of the things that I now understand will be happening during the transition.

1. Transition to begin in November.

2. The Children's Place will run both companies separatly, but the new Disney Store home base will be headquarterd at The Children's Place headquarters in Secaucus, NJ.

3. The Children's Place is already interviewing management candidates (internal and externally) in anticipation of major turnover.

4. All current "cast member" discounts will be replaced by a flat 30% employee discount to be used only at Disney Store or The Children's Place. TCP employees will not be able to use their discounts at TDS at this time.

5. TCP secures the licensing to the Disney characters for exclusive manufacturing. TCP will manufacture all TDS merchandise the same way that they do for their own stores.

6. TDS will once again always have at least 2 employees working in the store. There will no longer be only single person coverage during slow times.

7. All visual set changes will occur when the store is closed.

8. The term "cast member" will be replaced by a more appropriate name for the employees.

9. TCP will pump money into TDS for much needed improvements, giving them the attention that they have been without for years.

10. Gradually, most if not all of the hardlines will go away. Since TCP does children's clothing and accessories only, it is anticipated that TDS will go the same way. Toys, videos, CD's, plush, etc., will eventually disappear completely.

So there you have it. Shortly after I received this information from a reliable source, I spoke with a TDS manager who knew of some of the anticipated changes, but not all of them. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to get TDS managers to open up, but once I started sharing what I had heard, the TDS manager began to sing like a bird.

Many people on these boards and TDS cm's alike will be saddest to hear about the discounts and the hardlines going away. As for the discounts, my sourse told me that TCP fought to keep some kind of Disney "perk" for the cm's, but Disney would not allow it.

The hardlines going away, sad as it may sound, is actually a very good business decision. Any honest TDS manager will tell you that aside from plush, kids clothing are the only big sellers and money makers that TDS has. Videos and CD's have no impact on sales, besides being a tool to drive guests into the store on release day (for videos).

Collectibles were always a very small portion of store sales, as are adult clothing and passports. True when TDS took away the adult items, many people complained, but it probably wasn't even a percentage of the millions of guests the store claims to serve.

Passports, while convenient for the guests have aways been a hassle for the CM's. First they were supposed to talk about the parks, then they were not allowed. First they didn't make any money for the stores, then they created labor hours. But they couldn't have created much when the company's most basic rule of always having 2 cm's on the floor was erased in 2001.

Most of us recognize that it is not good business to have one person working in a store by themselves for two to four hours each day. It's also not safe, and not a good labor practice.

All in all, I see this acquisition as a very positive one. Only time (and replies) will tell what everyone else out there thinks.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by yensiD naF
7. All visual set changes will occur when the store is closed.

Does this mean that they wont do any work on the floor while the store is open or that they might close some stores down for remodeling?

I have noticed in several local malls that the Children's Place is usually in the same area as TDS. I wonder if any Disney Stores will be closed down or if they will try to create a combo-type version of both.

I guess this is a good thing because at least we know that something is finally being done.

 

[Planogirl]

If the Disney Store was struggling when they were selling only kids' clothing and toys then why will it be different when the Children's Place does the same? I don't get it.

I had a feeling that the grownup stuff was going away! They brought some into our local store and the supply has been steadily dwindling ever since. Oh well.

 

[disneychrista]

If all they are selling is childrens (over priced) clothes and accessories then I for one won't be purchasing much if anything. I do not have young(er) kids and neither where "childrens" clothes with Disney Characters on them.

 

[yensiD naF]

Originally posted by Planogirl
If the Disney Store was struggling when they were selling only kids' clothing and toys then why will it be different when the Children's Place does the same? I don't get it.

From a quality standpoint, I think the Disney clothing manufactured by The Childrens Store will be much better than when the Disney Store has offered in years. TDS let the quality sink to near Wal-Mart levels. (sorry Wal-Mart) Children's store seems to boast about the superior quality of their product.

TDS was struggling long before it was just kids clothing and toys. The way I see it there are three reasons for their problems.

1. BAD, BAD upper management. Bob Bell was a huge mistake! The company was already having problems when they brought him onboard. The company began sinking after Paul Pressler left for Disneyland and it never quite recovered. Pressler did wonders for TDS when he was there. (No Joke)

2. Overconfidence. TDS was a victim of it's own success (and ego). It's true that the concept was original. In 1987! Once other retailers started copying and then improving on the format, TDS was too late to react and fell behind the competition quickly. Reacting late to problems is one of the only things that TDS was truly consistent with.

3. Licensing. In the end it is the licensing that destroyed the Disney Store that we all remember. Cast members and guests might see this as a bad thing. And we are correct in our opinions, but make no mistake. Disney corporate will never have any regrets over letting that division slide. They have made and will continue to make plenty of profit from the licensing. But I think it will always be known that Michael Ei$ner licensed TDS right out of the market.

Aside from it's theme park retail units and the World of Disney stores, I would expect Disney to stay away from retail for good. And I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them start doing more licensing even on their own properties.

 

[Planogirl]

Licensing. In the end it is the licensing that destroyed the Disney Store that we all remember.

I've seen a lot of conjecture over how the DS might have performed if Disney products were exclusive to only the DS. When one can buy plush and clothing with Disney theming in other stores at a lower price then why bother with the DS? I just hope that better quality is enough to attract shoppers to the new DS. Because uniqueness still won't be there from what is being said.

 

[Madi100]

I heard about this about three or four months ago. The way I understand it is that there will only be Disney Stores in the malls that don't have a Wal-Mart or Target near by. For example, our mall has a Target attached to it, so no Disney Store. Wal-Mart is just a block away.

There will still be two different stores, though. They will not combine. They will not sell anything but clothing and accesories. I think I would shop there, but it wouldn't be the same.

The Children's Place not too long had someone new put in charge. They've changed a lot of policies. I'm sure that they will want TDS and TCP to have some of the same work ethics. It has always been a policy at TCP to have two employees work at a time.

The floorset policy is funny. That too has been a policy at TCP. Doesn't usually happen, though. Maybe now more so in the last year. It's been awhile since I worked there.

I have a hard time believing that the magic can completely be there unless Disney is in charge.

 

[prncs krista]

I shouldn't be so negative, since I'm a cast member at TDS, but I can't help it.

Without the knowledge that they are "cast members" and part of the Walt Disney Company, most of the cast members I know will quit, especially with no adult merchandise. Our store thrives on our adult merchandise, so we will be devastated when all we carry are kid's clothes. The morale is the lowest I have ever seen it, and it makes my heart break to think how much time and energy we have all put into making our guests feel the magic, helping them plan trips and make the most out of Disney World, and now to be thrown out in the trash.

From a financial standpoint, it is good for the company, but we, the Disney Store, are the everyday face of the company to those that don't go to the parks every year. That magic is slowly being lost, and it's hard for a huge Disney fan to take! When Disney starts killing its own young, it starts to make you wonder.

a very sad cast member who fears that "now it's time to say goodbye, to all (my) family"

 

[Belle1216]

I think that if TDS is turned into a clothing store, it could go either way. I'd like to say it will be the death of TDS but clothing does do extremely well in the store, at the same time, so do the toys, videos, and plush has always accounted for 20% or more of sales. TDS is still missing the mark on alot of the products their guests want to see in their stores so minimizing the small amount they DO have, in my opinion, will only turn away GENERATIONS of loyal guests and disney fanatics. I think the castmembers that are struggling with the decision to stay or go will definitely leave if it goes strictly clothing as well.

If the rumor is true, the "Disney" that DOES remain in the store will be lost and that's sad.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Is the Disneystore.com included in the sale of the company?

If not, will the DS.com continue to be in existence or will it cease operations?




I actually like to shop at TCP when they have a big sale. Their clothes are reasonably priced. However, personally, I don't think that the quality of the clothes is all that great. But that's o'kay for me since I usually buy play clothes and basics on sale. It is "cheap" enough that I can throw them away when they wear out.

 

[Belle1216]

Someone else commented on the quality of TDS product as being near walmart level and I just wanted to say that I personally disagree. I have a great deal from TDS that has stood the test of time and two young children. I've only ever had 2 problems in atleast 7 years of purchases. Whereas TCP product tends to run small, stain and shrink a great deal from my experience. I do shop there though.

 

[Madi100]

If the TCP would make sweatshirts for TDS like they have at TCP right now, the quality will be great. Same goes for t-shirts. That is my biggest problem with TDS lately is their t-shirts are a very basic thin t-shirt. Same goes for some of the sweatshirts. TCP has really nice quality sweatshirts and t-shirts.

I have had problems qualitywise at both stores. Anytime I have bought a leggings/cotton pants outfit that have darker pants, they ALWAYS fade. This is from the Disney Store. I've not had problems with fading at TCP because they use a vegetable base dye and it's not supposed to fade. My quality problems I've had at TCP are from zippers being cheap or the decoration coming off of something like glitter or sequins.

So, again, I think that TDS could survive if TCP took over. It's a lot better than Wal-Mart buying them out. But there is a sense of magic that goes with the TDS that I don't think anyone can recapture. And, just as a side note, our DS closed awhile back. When it did it worked out great for the crew there because at the time most of the management team at our TCP quit (include me in that one). Team Disney (as they got referred to as) came in to replace most of TCP people. Of all my time shopping at TCP that was the worst managed and worst customer service I've ever seen in a store.

 

[marymaz]

I HAVE BEEN A CASTMEMBER FOR 9 YEARS/STARTING 10TH IN NOV.

I DON'T THINK THIS BUY OUT IF GREAT

MY REASONS:

1. I NOW GET A 35% DISCOUNT
2. I NOW GET 4 FREE HOPPER PASSES PER YEAR TO DISNEY
3. I REALLY LIKE THE ADULT CLOTHING WE HAVE IN
4. I LIKE THE PLUSH, SNOWGLOBES, DVD PRESALES
5. I LIKE THE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
6. THE RETURN POLICY FOR THE CATALOG AND THEME PARKS....
PEOPLE WILL BE P........ THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
RETURN ITEMS TO THE STORE.
7. I GET DISCOUNTS ON THESE RETURN ITEMS
ETC............

ALSO WE RARELY HAVE RETURNS BECAUSE OF HOW OUR CLOTHING IS MADE. AND WE ALSO HAVE SOME VERY CUTE CLOTHING IN THE STORES.

AND I AM NOT JUST SAYING THIS BECAUSE I WORK FOR DISNEY.
SURE, THERE ARE PROBLEMS THERE, BUT WHAT JOB DOESN'T.

 

[DWatWDW]

Originally posted by yensiD naF
4. All current "cast member" discounts will be replaced by a flat 30% employee discount to be used only at Disney Store or The Children's Place. TCP employees will not be able to use their discounts at TDS at this time.

Will this discount include PHP passes purchased at TDS?

 

[exDS vet]

I would imagine that TDS will phase out the passport program. There would have to be a pretty good incentive for The Children's Place to carry them, because they are not a money maker for the stores, just the parks. Therefore, I wouldn't expect to see any employee discounts on these either.

 

[YoHo]

There should be a poll option that says:
"TDS has sucked for a couple years now, thank the good lord they finally put it out of it's misery"

 

[DWatWDW]

Originally posted by exDS vet
I would imagine that TDS will phase out the passport program. There would have to be a pretty good incentive for The Children's Place to carry them, because they are not a money maker for the stores, just the parks. Therefore, I wouldn't expect to see any employee discounts on these either.

There has to be some money in it for the seller. Otherwise, why would private companies (Connections), Travel Agents, and other organizations (AAA) sell them?

 

[Belle1216]

I feel the same way Marymaz and so do alot of other cast members!!!!! The cast ends up with the short end of this stick.

 

[Belle1216]

TDS will not sell tickets after TCP buyout...ticket sales only give TDS payroll, all $ goes to Florida.

YoHo's comment is noted and not appreciated.....people's jobs are in question....

 

[yensiD naF]

Originally posted by Belle1216
YoHo's comment is noted and not appreciated.....people's jobs are in question....

People's jobs? Yes they are in question, as they have been for over three years. Long before TDS was on the block, stores were closing left and right. This late in the game, those who have been constantly looking for a bright side to this story need to wake up. No amount of "pixie dust" is going to change things now. Many of you on these boards (especially some TDS cast members) have been living in denial all this time.

I'm sorry to sound harsh, but it's time to build a bridge and get over it. Some of you have a lot to look forward to;

1. Your resume's are going to say "The Disney Store" on them. That is going to take you very far in the job market.

2. You have a chance to move on before you might not have a choice.

3. Some people on this thread in particular have shared experiences from working with TCP, and that will help you with your decision.

4. This sale is happening at the worst possible time for a retail employer, which will help you. This transition, just before the holiday season will create great opportunity for many of you, in the job market.

5. Many retailers, including my own company are going to be recruiting TDS hourly and management staff to join our teams.

I would expect that TCP will offer many TDS cm's special incentives around the holiday season. This will simply be to protect themselves against a mass exodus of cast members. If you are one who chooses to stay, consider yourself warned. Those incentives will all go away after the holidays, when things slow down and the company can afford turn over.

Believe this if you want to. Many of us have been on the right side with regards to The Disney Store. The light at the end of the tunnel is finally being reached. And while YoHo's comment might sound extreme to some people, it is the truth, plain and simple.