Childrens Place to give back Disney Stores!!

[jenseib]

Probably not a good idea. The list is part of a current legal proceeding. Not worth possibly getting Pete and The DIS in a barrel of hot water with Disney, Hoop Retail and the law.

Why??? I don't see why anyone would get in trouble. It is a public document right? And I didn't ask for the document anyways, just a list of stores.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Why??? I don't see why anyone would get in trouble. It is a public document right? And I didn't ask for the document anyways, just a list of stores.

True, it is a public document. As part of a bankruptcy proceeding, it is required to be made public.

BUT, this is an ongoing case and we haven't been given permission to reprint any portion of the filings. If you are having problems viewing the filing, I would be happy to send the attachements to you via e-mail but they should NOT be copied and posted here - either in part or in their entirety!!!

 

[jenseib]

No need. I found the list posted on another thread.

 

[Linzybrooke]

When I worked at TDS 11 years ago, that was one of my favorite parts of the store, the gallery. Always loved to check out all the new items that would come in, some of the items were amazing!

I also used to love getting way up high with the character scenes that were attached to the roof, to clean them all out. Always liked high places, so it would be a nice little escape from counting registers or restacking the character plush island.

Oh, if you are or have ever been a Disney Store Cast Member, you know that the character plush island (or half moon shape in some stores) is the most annoying thing to put back together. No one ever wanted to do that job!!!

Actually, Plush Mountain and Plush Fountain were always my favorite job! Even as a manager I would do the plush because it was the one thing that made the store for me. It sure did make everyone else that I worked with happy that I was willing to do that job! I miss it.

It will be interesting to see what the Walt Disney Company plans to do with the 200 or so "reclaimed" Disney Stores.

The reason I say that, is the WDC put-up an arugument when they sold the stores to The Children's Place a few years back that they (WDC) were more into "brand management" than in running retail stores.

That is backed-up by the fact that many Disney-trademarked items (toys, children's clothing) are sold at a lot of different places (e.g., Toys "R" Us, Target, and Wal-Mart) besides the parks and the namesake mall-based stores.

That, and TCP not withstanding, Disney had past successes in licensing their brand to other operators (namely, the theme park businesses in Japan and Hong Kong).

Over the short term, I believe the WDC will continue to run the 200 or so mall stores that are remaining open -- mainly to avoid customer confusion, as the average person on the street believes the WDC still owns/operates these stores.

That said, over time, one of two things may happen:

1. The WDC will find another retail partner to run their namesake stores (hopefuly, an organization who has the resources to commit to the retail business).

2. Under the WDC, more mall stores may still close, and only those in North America's biggest cities may transition to a single "World of Disney" (NYC) type of store to satisfy the Disney purists, out there.

I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but when it comes to dollars and cents, we are living in financially-troubled times, and you can count on Disney saying something to that effect, if more sell-offs/store closings should happen...

You took the words right out of my mouth. This is the exact conversation I have had with DH and several friends who still work for the store, and it is what they feel will ultimately happen as well.

I'm confused ? I must have lost a moment in time ???
Didn't the quality of merchandise and collectibles decline under Disney before the Children's place took control !
Wasn't the GOAL of the Disney company to concentrate on thier NY store and internet sales ....
They saw the future with online sales.
Now with the economy on a down turn, not to be negative, why would they want control back? We are in a near recession with many people out of work or giving up thier homes.
Convience me on why they should keep these stores. JMO
I just don't see the old Disney ever returning with the great merchandise from the past.

Yes and yes. The stores going back deals a great deal with TCP not adhereing to things that were set forth in their purchase agreement with Disney. Too many things have gone wrong with the sale and for the last year WDC has been giving them guidelines, timelines and ultimatums. I believe this is a culmination of things that have occured over the last year, and TCP filing bankruptcy is making it easier and cheaper for WDC to get the stores out of the TCP black hole.

I think two key point in Disney reentering the retail business are:

1) There will be less than half the number of stores that Disney saw in it's heyday. This would make the stores more of a destination experience.

2) Most importantly, WDC is under new management...new management that encourages teamwork and creativity.

Part of the problem in the past is that every corner that could be cut was. The stores were overexposed and micromanaged right into the red.

These are good points, I hope you are correct.

I worked for TDS from 1999-2007, I left in August of last year. I loved my years with TDS because of the experience. It wasn't all pixie dust under Disney or under TCP, but the guests and my managers made it all worthwhile. In my 7.5 years I went from a seasonal CM and freshman in college to the ASM of the DFW flagship store, I learned so much and miss parts of the job every day. I left for many reasons, but primarily it was a change of career for me, and I became a high school teacher. I hope for those of you still employeed that things get better than they are. You are all in my thoughts.

I couldn't find the store listing on the link provided. If someone has a different link or can help me navigate the website I would love to see it. I know that 2 of my former stores are on the list because I have been told as much, but I have worked in a couple of different states and would love to see the entire listing.

 

[jenseib]

Will the children place stores be closing too?

 

[DisneyDeeva]

No - The Children's Place is a separate division and are not affected by the Chapter 11 filing.

 

[TinaMedley]

The list is just a primlinary (sp) one. What they did was take the stores and listed them in order of how much profit they make and took the top 212. They are now making some changes and looking at regions. I hope they do that, because if they don't change the list it will mean all the stores in the St. Louis Area will close.

 

[boston1029]

Tinamedley - Where did you get your info? I'm just curious about the makeup of the lists.

We were not told any info on how they made their decisions.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

The list is just a primlinary (sp) one. What they did was take the stores and listed them in order of how much profit they make and took the top 212. They are now making some changes and looking at regions. I hope they do that, because if they don't change the list it will mean all the stores in the St. Louis Area will close.

I'm sure that there was a lot more analysis that went into that list. Disney has some pretty hefty resources at it's disposal - and 212 would be an odd number to arbitrarily stop at. In addition to profit margins, they will have analyzed Guest traffic patterns merchandise volumes, lease situations, etc.

 

[TinaMedley]

Boston1029,
Heard from a current castmember that I know. Ran into her over the weekend doing the April Showers for Girl scouts!

 

[fairygodmother29577]

It is funny I currently work in a Disney Store and do not hear half of the things I read here. I have to agree with the fact they are looking at more than just the profit. There are quite a few new stores on the aquired list and they have no LY #'s to go by. Just probablity. I don't believe in saying anything that I don't as a fact there are too many Cast Members on here that are going to loose jobs and as much as I would love to come up for answers for all of them best I can do is be supportive and hope there is still a lot of pixie dust to go around. Just remember don't believe everything you read. Good Luck everyone!

 

[bevgray]

I hope it's a preliminary list. Otherwise all three stores in Indianapolis will close and leave only two in the northern part of the state (at least one of which can be served by the Chicago market) open. Since Indianapolis is the state capital and the major city in the state, I should think we'd keep at least one of the three. I'm not sure about the store to the southside of the city, but the downtown store does a pretty good business (and had a gallery nook since it is in an upscale mall) and the Castleton Store was in the first wave of stores when Disney expanded the stores way back when before the proliferated all over the place.

By the way, do you suppose anyone had the sense to use push pins in a map to get a visual of how this arrangement looks? You'd think they'd notice a big fat void in St. Louis and Indianapolis and that two northern Indiana cities are within spitting distance of each other as well as the Chicago stores.

 

[TinaMedley]

Of course they don't, that would require them thinking and not about the bottom line! Who wonders what the higher up do, they probably close their eyes and point, and bam! your closing!!!! Let's hope they think this thing through and do some smart moves!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

It is funny I currently work in a Disney Store and do not hear half of the things I read here. I have to agree with the fact they are looking at more than just the profit. There are quite a few new stores on the aquired list and they have no LY #'s to go by. Just probablity. I don't believe in saying anything that I don't as a fact there are too many Cast Members on here that are going to loose jobs and as much as I would love to come up for answers for all of them best I can do is be supportive and hope there is still a lot of pixie dust to go around. Just remember don't believe everything you read. Good Luck everyone!

My thoughts exactly!

I have to say (and I know I'm going to be flamed for saying this) it's kind of sad that people are so excited that stores are closing because they will be able to get good deals. All of those CMs are losing their jobs and some people are just worried about the good prices. I don't mean to be nasty when I say that, but I do know some CMs who will most likely lose their jobs and that thought makes me sick. The last thing on my mind is what price the merchandise is going to be on sale for. Whenever I go into a store that is going out of business I always think about the employees first and what they are going to do. I love good deals as much as the next person but I can't help but think about the 'people' involved.

I'm wishing ALL TDS CMs luck and well wishes during this anxious time!

 

[boston1029]

TheDisneyGirl02:

Thanks for that post. It's been very stressful in our store with all of this going on. We're keeping the faith and the positivity going though. This list is preliminary and that is the way we're looking at it. There is so much support from cast from other stores and from our guests who tell us that they wouldn't know what to do if we closed. I am excited about being owned by Disney again though. It'll be nice not to have to explain to people 4years later that no we are not owned by Disney.

I'm sending positive thoughts out to all the cast at every store. It's been a bumpy month.

 

[KerryCM]

TheDisneyGirl02, you said it perfectly. yes, my store is on the aquired list, but that does not mean we are safe from closing! The management team knows that, the cast memebers know that, yet we are still working "business as usual". For some of us it is just a small job for something to do, but for others it is their livelihood. I feel for these cast memebers.

Now, my feelings on the "sales" being held at closing store. I hope they just ship everything to exisiting stores! Let the "sale vultures" be disappointed. I know this is harsh, I like a good sale as well as the next person, but come on this is getting so bad. I remember when Burlington closed(in MA just about 6 weeks ago), our guests were saying we'll go up to Burlington it is cheaper. Well gosh Burlington is a good 1 hour drive from my store and you are going to spend the gas money to save $4.00! It was crazy.

Good luck to all TDS cast members. I will be glad when May 1st comes, but like my SM said we could still close after the acquisition!

 

[dpuck1998]

My thoughts exactly!

I have to say (and I know I'm going to be flamed for saying this) it's kind of sad that people are so excited that stores are closing because they will be able to get good deals. All of those CMs are losing their jobs and some people are just worried about the good prices. I don't mean to be nasty when I say that, but I do know some CMs who will most likely lose their jobs and that thought makes me sick. The last thing on my mind is what price the merchandise is going to be on sale for. Whenever I go into a store that is going out of business I always think about the employees first and what they are going to do. I love good deals as much as the next person but I can't help but think about the 'people' involved.

I'm wishing ALL TDS CMs luck and well wishes during this anxious time!

How exactly is being happy to save a few bucks mean someone doesn't care about other people losing their jobs? I think the two things can be seperated. Should we not shop at any of the stores that are closing? We can't change which stores they close, so at least there can be some positive. Half full or half empty?

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

How exactly is being happy to save a few bucks mean someone doesn't care about other people losing their jobs? I think the two things can be seperated. Should we not shop at any of the stores that are closing? We can't change which stores they close, so at least there can be some positive. Half full or half empty?

In no way shape or form am I saying that, but at the same time there are so many posts on here about people who are excited to see how cheap merchandise will go since their store may or may not be going out of business. All of the TDS CMs are on pins and needles right now (as you can tell by the PP who are all CMs) and as much as I wish I could say it's just business, it's not. We are like a family and it's killing me to wait and see if my family survives the cut. I've been with the store since 1999 so I have been there through the TCP change-over and it wasn't fun.

You should continue to shop at the stores, regardless if they are closing or not. It may not have been so much on this thread about people being excited about going out of business sale prices, but there is a thread on the Dis where many posters stated how they were looking forward to seeing what the sale prices are going to be. There's a chance there may not even be a going out of business sale, all of their merchandise maybe transfered to another store that is remaining open. I don't know that for a fact, but it could potentially happen.

It just bothers me that some people can be so excited about getting a t-shirt for $5 when there are many people who will be losing their jobs. I'm sure that many people don't see it that way though. To me, a store closing truly doesn't bring anything positive, not even good prices. My fingers are still crossed that my store survives.

 

[fairygodmother29577]

TheDisneyGirl02:
As a fellow CM I can understand how you feel. As current Cast Mamabers we are all just waiting to see what happens and waiting is the hardest part. We are thinking am going to loose my job (and we all know, whether you are in managment or part of the sales team it is more than a job) What will we all do. Should I start looking now. These are all questions that as CM's we are pondering. As it was mentioned it is not over until Mickey runs out of cheese, until Tink has no Pixie Dust! Although, from a consumers point of view, who really enjoys our stores and merchandise they are looking to see what is in it for them. We can not hold that against them, they just are not one of us. I am sure most of the guest would rather see their local store open and be a part of what Disney has to bring back to the stores. Most all the local guest have formed a bond or 2 with the CM's in their store. But at the end it is all about the $$$$. It was for Disney in 2003 and for TCP this year and I guess it is no different for the guests. Just hang in there. I think we will all know more after the court date on the 22nd. All the store are in my thoughts and prayers. Again good luck to all!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

TheDisneyGirl02:
As a fellow CM I can understand how you feel. As current Cast Mamabers we are all just waiting to see what happens and waiting is the hardest part. We are thinking am going to loose my job (and we all know, whether you are in managment or part of the sales team it is more than a job) What will we all do. Should I start looking now. These are all questions that as CM's we are pondering. As it was mentioned it is not over until Mickey runs out of cheese, until Tink has no Pixie Dust! Although, from a consumers point of view, who really enjoys our stores and merchandise they are looking to see what is in it for them. We can not hold that against them, they just are not one of us. I am sure most of the guest would rather see their local store open and be a part of what Disney has to bring back to the stores. Most all the local guest have formed a bond or 2 with the CM's in their store. But at the end it is all about the $$$$. It was for Disney in 2003 and for TCP this year and I guess it is no different for the guests. Just hang in there. I think we will all know more after the court date on the 22nd. All the store are in my thoughts and prayers. Again good luck to all!

I know in the end it is all about money - it's sad but it's true. I don't hold it against the guests for wanting to get the best deal (heck I love deals!), but I deep down, it still hurts a bit. I guess once the stores that are closing for sure are announced, some of us will feel better and others won't...it's this waiting game that is killing me.

I know there is nothing that we as CMs can do to help the stores that close. The only thing I know I can do is offer my support to those CMs who will be out of a job. One of my old managers' store is on the closing list (for now) and it just hurts me so much that she will be out of a job. I know of at least two CMs from my store who have had trouble sleeping the last couple of weeks because of the anxiety of waiting.

Sorry to anyone who read that who felt I was coming across as rude or cross. Sometimes I just need to vent about things on my mind and this is one thing for sure that has been on my mind for about a month now.