** Disney Stores May Shrink Or Be Sold.

[Tony-NJ]

With its Disney Stores operation struggling against a difficult retail environment, Walt Disney Co. is weighing whether to close more store locations or even sell all or part of the chain, according to people familiar with the matter. Since the first Disney Store opened in 1987, the chain has been an icon of Disney's effort to push its brand beyond movies and into apparel, toys, and home furnishings. But while the concept initially was successful, the company in recent years has been shrinking the chain after a vast expansion in the 1990s resulted in more than 520 locations in North America. That store count has been reduced to 387, plus about 160 Disney Stores overseas.


- A Coworker just sent this to me. Gee I wonder why they are doing so poorly!

 

[Kissimmee JP]

Disney stores are fun to take the kids into, but they're trying to charge the same prices for the stuff that they do at the theme parks. I fully expect to be raped when I buy something at a theme park (or at a baseball game for that matter), but otherwise, I'm looking for a deal.

 

[browneyes]

 

[DancingBear]

My problem is they seem to have such a limited range of stuff in there. Seems like they should have a much bigger selection of the movies (VHS and DVD) and CDs, plus more guidebooks and stuff related to the theme parks. And more of the household stuff. Obviously they can't all be World of Disney at Downtown Disney, but there is a lot of neat Disney stuff out there for sale, but the stores seem to have just to have stuffed animals and princess gear.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

I agree with DancingBear. I walked out of there last night while trying to spend my Donald dollars. I could not find anything worth $50 to get the $25 off. I am seriously considering returning the "stuff" I bought in the first place to get the Donald dollars as I really had to add in some items that were not necessary at all, but I was only $15 away from the coupon and I thought I could use it online. After I found out that I couldn't use it online I knew I was in trouble.

They need to stock home items - I have no need for expensive stuffed toys or $20 beach towels.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Good. If they're not willing to stock adult clothing or home furnishings, they can shut them all down.

 

[Mishetta]

We had a wonderful Disney Store nearby that sold all sorts of wonderful household items, & all kinds of great bedding & beautiful art work. They had a gorgeous art gallery in the back of the store. Now they just have Princess stuff & stuffed animals & are clearancing out their kids jackets. I hate to buy DVD's at TDS since I can get them much cheaper at Target, so we don't even bother to go anymore! I miss the old Disney Store! WAAAAA!

 

[Chuck S]

And so many locations don't even LOOK like a Disney Store any more...they may as well be a big plush toy warehouse. I used to buy a lot of things at TDS, but they just don't carry products that appeal to me anymore.

 

[MICKEY88]

I agree they need more adult merchandise at reasonable prices , I have a necktie collection that I stareted at TDS but it's been a while since they've had any..so the collection has stalled out at 100..they need us to tell them how to stock the stores.....

 

[Colleen A.]

The last time I was in the DS, I told the CM (who I have known for years from going in so much!), that they "ruined" the store! I asked him "When have I EVER come in the store and walked out empty handed?" He told me to "write them" and "we agree".

 

[Pumbaa_]

I used to love going to the Disney store. It was so much fun, there were adult clothes, collectibles, tons of snowglobes and lots and lots of veriety.

Now, it is not fun! There are kid things, stuffed animals galore, occasionally a token crappy tshirt or sweatshirt for adults.

I MISS the old stuff. Now I am reduced to catalog shopping and online. (Which I used to do too. I have way too many clothes with characters on it )

I still like the convenience of getting disney dollars there, (and sending family members to get me $$ for presents )

I wish it would go back the way it was

 

[Tinkbell]

Too many stuffed animals in there! I used to be able to spend an hour at the Disney Store. Now, I'm in and out within 5 minutes.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by ***********
Good. If they're not willing to stock adult clothing or home furnishings, they can shut them all down.

While I can understand the frustration about TDS not having items we wish they carried, I don't think it is nice to wish that the livlihood and employment of a lot of people will be on the line, and more unemployed people than are already out there. Sure, many are just part-timers, but many also have management positions that pay their bills, how difficult it will be for them, especially those that have been with the company for a number of years. and this is what pays their mortgage.

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by Kissimmee JP
I fully expect to be raped when I buy something at a theme park (

Rape is one of the most vicious, degrading, violent, personal assaults that one could ever experience. It robs its victim of their dignity, their humanity, their soul. To compare it to paying high prices in a theme park souvenir store is insulting.




But if you really "expect" to be raped, then there's a big problem with Disney Security . . .

 

[Pumbaa_]

_

 

[Deb in IA]

I sincerely hope you never get raped, Jody.

I hope your mother never gets raped.

I hope your daughter never gets raped.

I hope your sister never gets raped.









Because I'd hate to have them hear you tell them to "lighten up".

 

[zakatak]

{{{{ hugs }}} Deb.

I completely agree. 110%!

Karen

 

[Pumbaa_]

as this is completely inappropriate, I am removing my posts.

 

[ByTheSea]

Wow, talk about taking something out of context. I could pull out the dictionary and post a few dozen words with their alternate definitions, yet the general use of the words would offend so many I'm sure it would get deleted or edited at least.

I didn't see this thread taking an ugly turn until I saw the condescension at a poster who took offense to a word I TOO found inappropriate and OFFENSIVE.

So much for expressing ones opinions...

Note to self: It's not DIS PC to find it offensive to fully expect to get raped at the theme parks.

Originally posted by Pumbaa_
Wow, talk about taking something out of context. This whole thread has taken such an ugly turn, for no reason. The poster used the word correctly. So sorry you took it completely out of context and may not know that the word has multiple meanings. No reason to attack me personally! Or take this thread away from what it was about.

 

[Deb in IA]

I was not attacking you JODY.


I was sincerely hoping you and your relatives would never get raped.