Disney Store President Talks About Changes to Stores

[WDWKOOK]

Disney Store President, Jim Fielding:

http://www.hubmagazine.com/content/jiminy-disney

 

[mitros]

Disney Store President, Jim Fielding:

http://www.hubmagazine.com/content/jiminy-disney

Yea, they go on and on about how they will fix the stores. You know what? Bring back the "original" Disney stores that actually made you feel like you were at WDW or Disneyland. Now, they are just like every other run of the mill kids store. No magic, just a ******** of stuffed animals. Please......

 

[WDWKOOK]

I think their "fix" will be for them to reach their goal of 100% of products sold being made in China...

My DH used to love the men's Disney character Hawaiian-type shirts and I could get them at the Outlet for close to nothing. The men's wear in the stores is now gone, but you can buy TONS and TONS of t-shirts online

 

[mitros]

I think their "fix" will be for them to reach their goal of 100% of products sold being made in China...

My DH used to love the men's Disney character Hawaiian-type shirts and I could get them at the Outlet for close to nothing. The men's wear in the stores is now gone, but you can buy TONS and TONS of t-shirts online

Ha Ha, good one! I am willing to bet even now you will find that it's all made in China. I believe Disneys goal has always been to become a 100% chinese-merchandise-only business.
Oh, don't remind me that all you can guy now are those crappy t shirts. Time was when you could get really great well made dress shirts in the stores.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I used to buy so much from the Disney Store back in the days of the "old" store design. They had great adult clothes. And I loved the "feel" of the stores...very magical. Lots of ladies sweaters with quality embroidery, etc. The moment they turned those stores into the Disney version of ToysRUs, I stopped buying. Almost anything in the stores could be found at Target or Walmart for much less.

They made a HUGE mistake by changing those stores.

A few weeks ago, I received some sort of survey email from the Disney Store. I responded pretty much exactly as I posted above. While I'm sure they have someone reading those comments, I seriously doubt they care. Sad

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I think the above replies got it right.
2) I think Disney got it wrong.
3) And, the new changes will get it wrong.

4) Disney has their own idea of what WE what.
5) Their surveys just do not capture our desires.
6) Good luck Disney Stores.
7) You lost my business, and probably for good.
8) Unless you have REAL GUTS to change for the better.
9) And, not just give us rhetoric.

 

[doconeill]

This was mentioned in the shareholders meeting as well. They admit the limited space prevents carrying a broad selection of items - but they are trying to utilize the online store to deal with that.

 

[TLPL]

I loved Disney Store, i just can't find anything that suit me anymore
So sad I wants to buy something there every time when I go to one, but there is just nothing but kiddie clothes and toys. They don't even have trading pin anymore. How sad!!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Are product sales the most important goal?

That’s a great question. Product sales are not the primary focus of this new store design. The primary focus is to create a destination and experience that gives children the best 30 minutes of their day. That was our big focus — the best 30 minutes of a child’s day.

What could we do in Disney Stores that lets children be children? How do we let them interact, touch and play? Our feeling was that if we could create that type of environment and feeling in a community, then the product sales would come.

I found that question very interesting. Although the main goal of any retail store is to sell merchandise, I think it's important that EVERYONE who comes into the store has a magical experience, regardless if they are a child or an adult.

I have worked at the Disney Store for almost 11 years (with a short time working at WDW during those 11 years). I have worn the blue sweater, demin shirt and now the red shirt - I have worn them proudly. I remember when we were taken over by the Children's Place and how we fought to continue to make it as Disney as possible. That was important to me. I remember the last night we closed as Disney. I sobbed when I was helping to close the gates. Fast forward to several years later, I closed on our last night as the Children's Place. I couldn't have been more excited to close the gates that night! The magic had finally returned to the stores!

I'm so sorry that so many have been turned off to the stores because of changes that have been made. Do I miss the old days of cels and WDCC pieces? Yes. Do I miss the adult clothing - oh my goodness yes. Do I still think that there is still magic in the stores, yes.

Keep expressing what you want to Disney, maybe if we'll lucky, they will listen. I realize that there is clothing online, but it's just not the same as in the store. It's hard to tell if something that is on the computer screen will fit or not without actually seeing it.

 

[iwrbnd]

I wish they would have said "The best 30 minutes of anyone's day." My kids are quickly growing and I still love Disney and want to shop there. Please, Disney, don't forget that Children aren't your only fans! When I go to the Disney Store now I have a hard time finding anything for a child over 5-6 years old.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I wish they would have said "The best 30 minutes of anyone's day." My kids are quickly growing and I still love Disney and want to shop there. Please, Disney, don't forget that Children aren't your only fans! When I go to the Disney Store now I have a hard time finding anything for a child over 5-6 years old.

I agree with you that it should be 'anyone's day'. Disney isn't just for children it is for everyone!

 

[Magic Fanatic]

I, like many others on this board, have never hesitated in posting my feelings towards the Disney Store and the downhill slide the have been on. With that said, I am willing to sit back and let this new concept get up and running and see what it brings.

I remember back when I heard about Apple computer opening up retail stores and only selling computers. At the time the idea seemed like a corporate suicide mission. I mean how could a store that only sells only one brand of computers ever be successful. Well, here it is several years later and I cannot help but go into the store every time I walk by it. Apple knows branding and they know marketing. My hope is that the people at Disney will sit back and accept new ideas and implement them.

I just want to see what the come up with before I dismiss it. All you can do is hope....

 

[WDWKOOK]

I, like many others on this board, have never hesitated in posting my feelings towards the Disney Store and the downhill slide the have been on. With that said, I am willing to sit back and let this new concept get up and running and see what it brings.

I remember back when I heard about Apple computer opening up retail stores and only selling computers. At the time the idea seemed like a corporate suicide mission. I mean how could a store that only sells only one brand of computers ever be successful. Well, here it is several years later and I cannot help but go into the store every time I walk by it. Apple knows branding and they know marketing. My hope is that the people at Disney will sit back and accept new ideas and implement them.

I just want to see what the come up with before I dismiss it. All you can do is hope....

Sounds reasonable. I can only hope they sell Macs, then I'd be more hopeful

 

[WDWKOOK]

I found that question very interesting. Although the main goal of any retail store is to sell merchandise, I think it's important that EVERYONE who comes into the store has a magical experience, regardless if they are a child or an adult.

I have worked at the Disney Store for almost 11 years (with a short time working at WDW during those 11 years). I have worn the blue sweater, demin shirt and now the red shirt - I have worn them proudly. I remember when we were taken over by the Children's Place and how we fought to continue to make it as Disney as possible. That was important to me. I remember the last night we closed as Disney. I sobbed when I was helping to close the gates. Fast forward to several years later, I closed on our last night as the Children's Place. I couldn't have been more excited to close the gates that night! The magic had finally returned to the stores!

I'm so sorry that so many have been turned off to the stores because of changes that have been made. Do I miss the old days of cels and WDCC pieces? Yes. Do I miss the adult clothing - oh my goodness yes. Do I still think that there is still magic in the stores, yes.

Keep expressing what you want to Disney, maybe if we'll lucky, they will listen. I realize that there is clothing online, but it's just not the same as in the store. It's hard to tell if something that is on the computer screen will fit or not without actually seeing it.

Thanks for posting your unique perspective

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Thanks for posting your unique perspective

You are very welcome.

I have heard first hand how guests want adult clothing back in the stores and I wish I had the power to make that decision to bring it back. I would in a heartbeat. Right near the end of the Children's Place run, the stores did have a bit of adult clothing, but nothing like it used to be.

Like I said, Disney does listen to the guests. If enough guests say that they want a particular product back, hopefully they will do it. If they don't they risk losing a lost more than a store guest.

Since I am employed by Disney, I must say that my views are mine only and don't reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Please give the "new" stores a chance...... they will be truly special. YES, they are largely aimed at kids. But remember, that is really what it is all about. And I personally LOVE Disney, 100%. Starting with the adult clothing issue, for the most part, that adult stuff no longer SELLS. I worked in the stores when it DID sell, it was in fashion then. This was in the early '90s.... things changed over the next 5 years though. We would ONLY sell the adult stuff when it was heavily discounted. It may appear that there is a large market for adult Disney attire, based on what you read here in this thread, but that is not really accurate overall. (I wish I was wrong, because I wear Disney stuff myself.... like many people here). Now, I will certainly admit that there were other reasons it did not sell well, like poor design,high prices etc. Even now, the adult shirts are NOT good......so frustrating to me personally!

As for the art cels, WDCC, lennox, etc, the internet is actually partially to blame for losing the Gallery items. Dealers selling items online have way less overhead, and TDS could not effectively compete on price. Guests would LOOK at the items at TDS, and order them online for less. Logical behavior. And less people were collecting after awhile, it just became less popular overall-- of course true Disney fans still WERE looking for these items, but not enough guests were buying..... at the stores. I worked in a large Gallery store, I know, i was there. We were SO sad when we lost our Gallery. Could something have been done to reverse this trend? Maybe.....we had some ideas in the trenches (I mean stores), but alas, too late now.

So, the new stores, like the current stores, are largely geared towards the kids. My kids are grown now, but I still enjoy the our little guests, they are oh so cute...... Come visit and enjoy.....

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Please give the "new" stores a chance...... they will be truly special. YES, they are largely aimed at kids. But remember, that is really what it is all about. And I personally LOVE Disney, 100%. Starting with the adult clothing issue, for the most part, that adult stuff no longer SELLS. I worked in the stores when it DID sell, it was in fashion then. This was in the early '90s.... things changed over the next 5 years though. We would ONLY sell the adult stuff when it was heavily discounted. It may appear that there is a large market for adult Disney attire, based on what you read here in this thread, but that is not really accurate overall. (I wish I was wrong, because I wear Disney stuff myself.... like many people here). Now, I will certainly admit that there were other reasons it did not sell well, like poor design,high prices etc. Even now, the adult shirts are NOT good......so frustrating to me personally!

As for the art cels, WDCC, lennox, etc, the internet is actually partially to blame for losing the Gallery items. Dealers selling items online have way less overhead, and TDS could not effectively compete on price. Guests would LOOK at the items at TDS, and order them online for less. Logical behavior. And less people were collecting after awhile, it just became less popular overall-- of course true Disney fans still WERE looking for these items, but not enough guests were buying..... at the stores. I worked in a large Gallery store, I know, i was there. We were SO sad when we lost our Gallery. Could something have been done to reverse this trend? Maybe.....we had some ideas in the trenches (I mean stores), but alas, too late now.

So, the new stores, like the current stores, are largely geared towards the kids. My kids are grown now, but I still enjoy the our little guests, they are oh so cute...... Come visit and enjoy.....

I agree 100% with your post. Although my store wasn't a Gallery store, we did sell our fair share of collectables. But the Internet did do us in. However, it is so much fun to watch the little guests now - they are so cute and it is truly magical when they look up and yell "Mickey" at the statue hanging from the ceiling.

Do you mind if I ask which store you worked at?

 

[doconeill]

Please give the "new" stores a chance...... they will be truly special. YES, they are largely aimed at kids. But remember, that is really what it is all about. And I personally LOVE Disney, 100%. Starting with the adult clothing issue, for the most part, that adult stuff no longer SELLS. I worked in the stores when it DID sell, it was in fashion then. This was in the early '90s.... things changed over the next 5 years though. We would ONLY sell the adult stuff when it was heavily discounted. It may appear that there is a large market for adult Disney attire, based on what you read here in this thread, but that is not really accurate overall. (I wish I was wrong, because I wear Disney stuff myself.... like many people here). Now, I will certainly admit that there were other reasons it did not sell well, like poor design,high prices etc. Even now, the adult shirts are NOT good......so frustrating to me personally!

As for the art cels, WDCC, lennox, etc, the internet is actually partially to blame for losing the Gallery items. Dealers selling items online have way less overhead, and TDS could not effectively compete on price. Guests would LOOK at the items at TDS, and order them online for less. Logical behavior. And less people were collecting after awhile, it just became less popular overall-- of course true Disney fans still WERE looking for these items, but not enough guests were buying..... at the stores. I worked in a large Gallery store, I know, i was there. We were SO sad when we lost our Gallery. Could something have been done to reverse this trend? Maybe.....we had some ideas in the trenches (I mean stores), but alas, too late now.

So, the new stores, like the current stores, are largely geared towards the kids. My kids are grown now, but I still enjoy the our little guests, they are oh so cute...... Come visit and enjoy.....

I have no insight into the actual operations, but from a business perspective I believe all of the above is true and was the driving force to the removal of the merchandise that everyone misses, but in truth very few were buying.

Yes, Disney fans, and there are a LOT of them, would buy the merchandise, but I don't believe a large enough percentage of the general public did. Aside from us, how many adults do you know wear Mickey shirts, or Tinkerbell hats, etc.? Most of the Disney stores are relatively small - a "single wide" mall store usually. I can think of one in my area that was a double-wide, and I believe that closed and relocated to a single, and one standalone store of respectable size that didn't last long at all.

The sales need to justify the space. Although adult clothing sales may have been OK, they were likely nowhere near the sales volume of the kids stuff.

I don't know how much the sale to TCP may have also driven the change.

I admit I used to enjoy looking at all the cells on the wall, but couldn't justify the expense of buying one.

Our best best is that Disney follows through on what they say, and at least use the Internet to better provide access to the merchandise we can't get at the stores. Yes, clothing is problematic, but unfortunately such is the way of retail now...

 

[DISNEMOM]

I so miss the original disney stores! They had a sort of magical feeling of their own. They had so much neat and different stuff. Now, when I go into the store, there is nothing, just t-shirts and stuffed animals. Nothing unique, nothing different, I feel like I am at wal-mart. I want so bad to spend my money on some unique items! The last time I was at the store, I talked with the manager about how I had heard they were going to be transforming the stores to how they used to be, and she was all excited and said, " Yes, we have transformed the store already, isn't it great!? " All I could say was, it looks the exact same!

 

[Snowgod]

I am told over and over that there is no market for the Adult clothing like the shirts Reyn Spooner used to design (and still does for promotions). I have my 100 Mickeys shirt as well as a number of other designs with Mickey and friends in tropical themes. I also used to buy and collect WDW t-shirts when they were made of quality materials. Next time you are at the world, see how many men still wear their shirts with pride. Maybe no-one wants chinese junk. Maybe they don't want to buy and advertisement for the latest film. Just yesterday I was at Epcot talking to a nice Gentleman who was wearing his 100 Mickeys shirt and he asked me where you could buy the same style. I wished him good luck and told him how to find the outlets in Orlando to see if any were left.