disney store closings

[akrake]

Has anyone had this same problem? We just found out our Disney Store, the only one in our community of 250,000+ people & the only one within 2 hours driving time, is closing....their lease is up & disney has decided not to renew.

i wonder if a writing campaign would do any good? It just makes me so sad!

akrake

 

[Bob O]

The quality of the disney stores has went right down into the sewer level. At one time the stores in my areas had a nice mix of adult/kids items but now they have basically become kids stores with most items alot higher in coest than buying the same items elsewhere. Another part of the company that has tanked under eisners watch.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Sad to say it, but I agree. I used to be in the Disney Store at least twice a month. Now I can say I wouldn't even miss the store if it closed.

 

[Planogirl]

It's too bad but I have a feeling that we may see more of these closings. We sometimes check on the local stores just to see if they're still open.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

It is also a division that was created and blossumed under Eisner's watch and then began to fail. People see only the negative.

 

[akrake]

maybe it's because i have two young children, but i liked our store....it was a good way to get them into the "disney" mood...esp when we were preparing for our trip.

but it could also be due to the lack of entertainment in our area also.

akrake

 

[grinningghost]

Is there a list of Disney Stores set to close anywhere online?

 

[Bob O]

So are we supposed to congraulate eisner for creating a division, over expanding it and then running it into the ground??? maybe a increase in his bonus. Or comment on letting another part of the company tank under his leadership???

 

[dzneelvr]

I've watched the two Disney stores in my area slowly but surely deteriorate over the past decade.
Now the 2 stores are messy, lack creative displays and only feature the same ole-same ole, and seem to have mostly clerks with lack-of-interest in the customer. The one store doesn't even carry watches or adult baubles anymore.

What Disney needs to do is get some grounding in what customers like and want to purchase.
I, for one, don't want the same stuffed animals and jewelry-toy items that sit on the shelf until they collect dust and then go on sale.
How about unique items from the parks--in a mixed price range--so that those of us who go once a year or every other year can still purchase between trips to the actual park ? There are consequences to ignoring the adult shopper.

Maybe it's a sign of success for the disneystore.com avenue that the bricks and mortar stores are failing--but the store personnel and overall concept (or lack of one) are accountable too.

Disney used to be revered as knowing what the consumer wanted--that may be in question now.

 

[akrake]

i spoke to the gals at our local store & they said that 5 of the 8 stores in louisiana are closing. that leaves only 2 in the new orleans area & one in baton rouge....none north of I-10.

really nuts.....and a comment, our store rotates merchandise alot....lately there seems to be more adults stuff....but rarely things for men. we did notice over christmas that they pushed alot of pjs & stuffed animals, but not much more.

 

[Captain_Nemo]

Last time I was in a Disney store the lady behind the counter admitted that they just weren’t getting the merchandise that people had been asking after. Maybe they think that keeping the “good” stuff at the parks will promote customers to go there?


Sorry to say it, but I get the feeling that they gave up long ago, and are just marking time till they all close.

 

[DisneyFan09]

To those of you who haven't been in The Disney Store in awhile, maybe you should go in and take a peak you might be surprised. Our store has gotten some great merchandise in recently, like adult socks, adult t's, lots of new cute kids clothes and of course new snow globes! It's frustrating to read posts like these. Just because the stores don't have what you want on a particular visit, don't just give up on them. That's part of the reason there are so many stores closing.

 

[DisneyFan09]

Originally posted by dzneelvr
I've watched the two Disney stores in my area slowly but surely deteriorate over the past decade.
Now the 2 stores are messy, lack creative displays and only feature the same ole-same ole, and seem to have mostly clerks with lack-of-interest in the customer. The one store doesn't even carry watches or adult baubles anymore.


Maybe it's a sign of success for the disneystore.com avenue that the bricks and mortar stores are failing--but the store personnel and overall concept (or lack of one) are accountable too.

You have some very valid points but as far as store personnel being accountable I think you are way off base.

Most CM's are in those stores working like crazy to please the guests, who most of the time don't even respond to a simple "hello"! And every one of them is fighting like crazy to keep their store profitable so it will not be the next to go. Maybe you need to visit another Disney Store because I don't think lack-of-interest is the norm!

 

[Bob O]

I was at a local disney store last week and it had few adult items other than some sweatshirts and had mainly kids items.
If the disney stores were successful and had items people wanted to purchase they wouldnt be closing as many as they are.

 

[Sarangel]

Another thing to factor into the 'failure' of the Disney Stores (at least in my opinion) is the removal of the artwork & collectables. I used to go into the Union Square Disney store as often as I could to see if they'd released a new sericel or WDCC Statue. I couldn't afford to buy them very often, but did when I had the funds.

I'm much less interested in more T-shirts, snowglobes, and little kid stuff (tho' that may change once I have one of my own). I really don't think Disney has any idea what will be profitable & each experiment that they make ends up making it worse.

Sarangel

 

[mitros]

Wow! thats right, I forgot about the artwork and the sericels they used to have there. We purchased several over the years.

 

[eeyore0062]

Another thing to factor into the 'failure' of the Disney Stores (at least in my opinion) is the removal of the artwork & collectables. I used to go into the Union Square Disney store as often as I could to see if they'd released a new sericel or WDCC Statue. I couldn't afford to buy them very often, but did when I had the funds.

That is the problem... no one could afford the collectables in most of the store locations and they stayed in the store. Sure, they were pretty to look at, but if they weren't selling, they weren't profitable. Maybe they did sell around Christmas, but during most times of the year, they sat there. Why market something that isn't bringing in money?

Now the 2 stores are messy, lack creative displays and only feature the same ole-same ole, and seem to have mostly clerks with lack-of-interest in the customer. The one store doesn't even carry watches or adult baubles anymore.

I have a couple of things to say about this. 1st is... have you noticed that there are usually, at best 3 castmembers in the stores, one usually behind the castwrap, they try like crazy to keep everything neat and orderly... but have you ever noticed that as soon as they finish fixing the stuffed animails, folding the t-shirts, etc... they are a mess again. Yes, we all know it would be nice to have a castmember who did nothing but straighten, but this is the real world... and the Disney Store, and any other retail store doesn't. Cut them some slack-- they work very hard, are proud of the stores and would like nothing better than to have it neat and tidy at all times.
As for not taking interest in our guests... not likely! It sure is disconcerting when we try to help guests, and get brushed off like some pesky fly. Also, it is really peculiar that many guests start talking on their cell phones as soon as they enter the store, and don't stop until they leave... even at the cashwrap. Are the castmembers supposed to interupt their conversations? No, I don't think so! Every guest entering our local Disney store gets acknowledged, whether it is a smile, a nod or a hello. The castmembers will try to reapproach, but if you aren't interested, they are not going to ambush you.

The Disney Store merchandise is of good quality. The Castmembers I know are very pleased to have our kid's clothing lines back this year. And yes, they also are disappointed that they don't have more adult oriented items... they like them too... but if those items don't sell until they go to rock bottom prices, why market them in the stores? They sell better on line and in the catalog... that is not the fault of the castmember, nor is it the fault of the store. The Disney Store hasn't sold watches or "adult baubles" in over 2 years, not because they wouldn't like to, but the castmembers and individual stores don't control the inventory. Go into your local Disney Store, get to know the castmembers, ask them these questions, ask them for a phone number. They will be only too happy to help you. Take the time to express your concern to them.. in a nice way, and see what they have to say.

If you really want to make a difference, please go to Disney.com to guest services and email them. You, as the guest have the power to help change things around, but please don't take it out on the castmembers.

 

[d-r]

I understand what you are saying about stocking what sells, but one thing that always makes me sad at our local ds is the art. We've bought a few framed pieces there in the past, but now there is NOTHING hanging in the little showcase area where lithos etc. always hung. It is just empty blank wall. Why not hang some lithos up there even if it takes months for them to sell? Why not? Why leave bare ugly wall. It is sad to me.

DR

 

[eeyore0062]

d-r, I understand what you are saying, our local Disney store is the same... but they will be getting new fixtures for that area soon, so it won't be just blank wall space. Sometimes our local TDS uses the space to display things... at Christmas, they displayed the adult pajamas there.

 

[Glenn]

I just visited the Disney store in Oak Brook IL looking for something for Valentines. Well the only "Adult" things they had were some close out sweat shirts. When I commented about how the store had changed the CM said their prime target was childeren 3 to 8 yrs old. Im very sorry to hear that, they used to have some nice adult things, some different things for gifts, a little artwork. Not having childern there is no reason to ever walk into that store again. I'll have to check on a few others in the area. If they all have gone that route i can see many of them closing.