DS news! Prepares to sell

[Luv2Roam]

Persoanlly I have to thank "VoiceofReason" (who didn't even post under their real board name.)
I appreciate knowing CM's think I am *mud*. I will recall this is what I am thought of by CM's next time I have an urge to buy anything Disney.
It was an eye opening on how CM's really feel about guests/me personally.
Too bad I already ordered through the catalog last weekend.

 

[PamOKW]

I've actually never seen the type of items I'm talking about at a Disney Store, except for the 5th Avenue Store, and even then in very small quantities. Every time it's mentioned there seems to be quite a few people on here who express similar interests. However, I think the ship has sailed on that....the Disney Store is now basically for children only and that may turn out to be a good thing for the business. Who knows?

I don't see why the original poster should be attacked for posting this. It is news. When I checked my Disney stock price several articles popped up regarding the impending sale. I'd like to keep abreast of what the plans are. I think "way back" Nanula might have turned things around but he left for Starwood before anything really took hold. Since then, the stores seem to be grasping for what might work and they haven't hit on it yet.

No personal animosity towards CMs. I know many of you love your jobs not just for the $$$ but for the real enjoyment. It'll be sad if things change and I never want to see someone lose their livelihood. It's just news that many of us are interested in hearing about. Just like we'd want to hear about a resort closing for refurbishment or the sale of the Angels, etc.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by VoiceofReason

By the way, your name is mud over on the cast member board!

Run..run and hide...The "cast members" don't like a poster. The alert has been sounded.


Maybe the non-CM's should have a private forum where CM's are not allowed? What a bad idea a private forum to trash other posters and people paying your salary. Lets hope that more goes on inside this little group then the mud slinging.

 

[Another Voice]

When initially conceived, The Disney Stores were thought to be an extreme specialty retail operation. The goal was to open stores only in "destination" and/or extremely high end malls. These are the places people vacation to shop – Las Vegas, New York, etc. It was considered a wild stretch to imagine a chain of 100 stores.

But greed has a way overruling logic. The first stores, all of them carefully located with just the right merchandise, did extreme well. Instead of increasing revenue by increasing same-store sales, Disney took the easiest way out. They opened more stores. Soon they were into the less than perfect locations. These didn't do so well. All that high end merchandise that people used to drive hours just to buy really doesn't do well in the local "we'll go there this weekend" kind of mall. With the margins falling, The Company decided to open up even more stores in the average "run of the mill" malls, the kind of place you run out to buy a pair of jeans. The high end merchandise did even less well there and not everyone needs buy "Disney" stuff everyday. But by now the overhead of the Stores, and the Company's expectations, were both so high that the business has simple collapsed under its own weight.

The failure of the Disney Stores is not cased by grumbling cast members or because the "mud people" (otherwise known as your customers, please treat them accordingly) failed to live up to their duty to buy their quota of over priced knick-knacks – the failure of the stores was caused by bad management. It's the same story for a lot of retailers: Disney overbuilt, they ignored the core reason why they were popular, they expected too much.

The remaining question isn't whether the Stores can be turned around (of course they can), it's whether Eisner and Shoe Guy have either the interest or the ability to do the hard work. Past experience based on what we've seen at the parks and elsewhere leads many of us to believe they won't. It's not that we're cheering for doom and gloom (it's quite to opposite) – it's just we know where this road leads.

There used to be a lot of animators, theme park cast members, Internet people and thousands and thousands of other that "spread the magic®" where they could who got tossed out onto the street. They loved their job just as much as all the Stores cast loves theirs.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I,like so many others will be sad if the stores close. I have two within an 1/2 hour of me. But I must say, I do not buy many items from there anymore. They just don't carry items of my interest, or of many adults the way it sounds.

But to claim someone is *mud* because they posted an article about the demise of the DS is rediculous. I reread the post just to make sure I didn't miss anything, and I don't think I did. The CM was way off base, IMHO, and should think about how that came off to other DS customers.

 

[KathiWithAnI]

Ok, I may be sorry I posted and MY name may be mud next ( and I am a CM) but here goes.......

First, I don't think it was the posting of the article alone that set VoiceOfReason off, but more the last straw.... Part of it being the exclaimation point in the thread title... it made it look like Luv2roam was excited about the news...
Luv2roam SEEMS to enjoy posting bad news about the Disney Stores and SEEMS to love to complain at any given chance.....
Maybe Luv2roam is just very dissappointed in the way things have gone, but instead has come across as a complainer....
BUT She has that right.

second, I personally don't know who VoiceOfReason is and I'd have to say I don't really care for the fact that this person came across as "speaking for all CMs". And I am not the only CM that feels this way.
While we agree with a lot of what was written, (let's face it, a lot of CMs are scared for their jobs and sick to our stoamchs over the fact that we might no longer be cast members which we LOVE being, ) I have to agree that the "your name is mud" comment was out of line.
I apologize for that comment. I didn't make it, I didn't support, but if VoR can speak for "all of us" then I guess I can apologize for "all of us" that think it was an out of line comment.

It is not how the majority of CM's would ever consider treating their guests and I'm truly sorry that we have been represented that way.

Ok, so now I guess I better put on my old clothes as I may be the next mud slinging target! LOL

and Sorcerer-- Bravo ( now that's one CM that I would allow to speak for me! )

Kathi
(who's gingerly hitting the submit button)

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by EUROPA
Run..run and hide...The "cast members" don't like a poster. The alert has been sounded.


Maybe the non-CM's should have a private forum where CM's are not allowed? What a bad idea a private forum to trash other posters and people paying your salary. Lets hope that more goes on inside this little group then the mud slinging.

I guess the same could be said about your reply,( to which you are entitled to feel anyway you wish), run...run & hide, the rumors/news posters don't like a poster...

As far as who pays a CM's salary, if some of you have chosen to not shop in the stores due to lack of merchandise you care for, then you are not contributing to salaries.

I agree with Kathi's post and sometimes people post things in the heat of the moment, and to think that any of us would mistreat a guest while in our stores is rather a big assumption on anyone's part. I've been verbally abused while at work, and "took it" with a smile and wished them a very Disney Day! Perhaps some guests should take a look at their own behavior when they shop at any retail store and think about if they were on the other side of the counter.

 

[crusader]

Don't count TDS out yet...we still have a pulse. And I'm looking forward to October when we've been assured there will be new and exciting product.

Well said. I believe many remain here because they happen to still feel that pulse as well.

It says alot to be dedicated your job purely out of the enjoyment of loving what you do. You believe in your work and that means everything to those of us who stop in and browse the stores. Thank you.

I shy away from purchasing mainly because I'm interested in that really sharp looking product which doesn't feel cheaply made. I also happen to agree that the bold proud adult mickey wearers risk looking like disney dorks outside of the parks. (hence the request from Pam for more subtlety)

I will continue to drop by because I happen to believe a disney store is always worthy of reconsideration.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

What a great representation of the CM's at Disney Stores. The CM's at our local stores are wonderful, and I hope everything works out . Kathi, I was really impressed with your response, especially since you didn't write the original response.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
I guess the same could be said about your reply,( to which you are entitled to feel anyway you wish), run...run & hide, the rumors/news posters don't like a poster...

As far as who pays a CM's salary, if some of you have chosen to not shop in the stores due to lack of merchandise you care for, then you are not contributing to salaries.

Wrong..wrong..I did not call anyone mud. I simply made fun of the idea that anybody would care if their name was "mud" on the CM board. You've never heard anyone here say such a thing....but given your reaction seems it just my be common on the CM board?

As far as not shopping there anymore......So this is how you get your customers back? Ummm strange customer service. Lets hope that the CM's really are nicer to the cusomters in the store then they are here.

Oh Darn I guess my name is "mud" now.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by EUROPA


As far as not shopping there anymore......So this is how you get your customers back? Ummm strange customer service. Lets hope that the CM's really are nicer to the cusomters in the store then they are here.

B]

Several posters on these boards have stated they do not shop in TDS anymore because there is nothing there for them. If they choose to not shop in TDS, how is that my fault? and means I give "strange customer service." If I give the best guest service I can (and I do) and present the product that is carried to the best of my abilities, and you still don't like what is carried in the store, how am I giving strange customer service? How and if turned off guests return remains the task of the company to get the product that is wanted to go along with the exceptional guest service the guests in our stores receive.

Also, I did not say you called anyone "mud".

 

[PamOKW]

Okay, I gave our remaining local (25 miles away) Disney Store another shot today. I almost fell over when the first thing I saw was a dark green Eeyore sweashirt! My example pulled out of the air come to life. It was 75% off and is still there if anyone else is interested.

Big sale going on throughout the store and nothing of interest to me. In fact, it looked a lot like the "sales" that have taken place at the other stores right before they disappeared. I even tried looking for something for one year-old boy twins I know but there was nothing (except plush). Lots of plastic princess stuff for little girls.

As to CMs, maybe it is different in other parts of the country but there is very little Disney Magic among the salespeople at this store. Our area doesn't have much in the way of pleasant sales help....the Walmart greeter, doesn't. There is nothing special about Disney Store CMs any more either. One did perk up a bit when a woman asked to buy park passes but that was about it. I used to even enjoy watching what they showed on the big TV screen....scenes of Disney World were especially exciting...but that seems to be gone, too.

I'll probably keep stopping in hoping the old store or a new improved store will reappear but the past two years have been pretty worthless at the Disney Store for me.

 

[alvernon90]

Originally posted by Another Voice
When initially conceived, The Disney Stores were thought to be an extreme specialty retail operation. The goal was to open stores only in "destination" and/or extremely high end malls. These are the places people vacation to shop – Las Vegas, New York, etc. It was considered a wild stretch to imagine a chain of 100 stores.

I totally agree with this assessment and the "new stores vs. same stores" analysis. It's a business fundamental in all kinds of retail niches, but especially in "destination" stores. Boosting revenue by opening new stores is exactly what killed Planet Hollywood and other specialty brands.

I remember the first time I saw a Disney store it seemed like going into the store was like entering a theme park. The store had not only the big video screen, but also several displays with life-sized 3D models of characters playing out small stories, complete with motion and music. That atmosphere (greatly helped by the high number of CMs who did nothing but smile and make people feel welcome) drew people into the store and made them feel so good that they were willing to drop $50 on a Mickey tie. Now the Disney stores are just another store in the mall, with two people behind the counter and zero atmosphere.

I think the new owners will have to not only cut back the number of stores to destination locations, but invest in the stores to create a destination atmosphere in the store. The plain old Disney store from the downmarket mall won't be any more attractive just because it's located in Las Vegas instead of Butte.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
Several posters on these boards have stated they do not shop in TDS anymore because there is nothing there for them. If they choose to not shop in TDS, how is that my fault? and means I give "strange customer service." If I give the best guest service I can (and I do) and present the product that is carried to the best of my abilities, and you still don't like what is carried in the store, how am I giving strange customer service? How and if turned off guests return remains the task of the company to get the product that is wanted to go along with the exceptional guest service the guests in our stores receive.

Try to wrap your brain around the little scenario.

Well gee lets see...Disney store turns around and starts to carry the items said customer would like to buy....too bad customer is now so mad at the store, company and CM's they never return. Disney store still goes under. It's another form of customer service. Where you try to get back cusomters that were once loyal or that now have a reason to shop there. You don't try to push them further way. Understand??

 

[mickey4ver]

Can you ever reply to a post without being so condescending?

You still haven't told me how my behavior that you term "strange "has hurt the store.

And please, enough with the understand double ??? marks, like you are the only one with a brain.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
Can you ever reply to a post without being so condescending?

You still haven't told me how my behavior that you term "strange "has hurt the store.

And please, enough with the understand double ??? marks, like you are the only one with a brain.

The stange behavior is your attempt to come to the resue of a CM who calls a person "mud". The stange behavior is chosing to further push away people that were once cusomters by acting as if their dollars did not matter. That's just my take. Others may see it differently. I doubt that Luv2Roam sees it as a big warm hug and a welcome back to the TDS. Frankly neither do I.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Where do I begin? Let me first say I am a CM. 2nd, VoiceofReason speaks for no one but himself/herself. Many among us (CMs) are not happy with his/her post.

Going to the stores right now, will NOT make most of you happy. Right now we are clearing out the biggest backlog of product you can possibly imagine! No, even more then that! So, the stores are messy, the stores are crowded and noisy, and the lines are long, and the product is not new and exciting. The cast is overworked, and stressed. But that's ok! We need to get rid of the old stuff that got us into this mess. IF you need kids clothes, winter or summer, there are great deals, however.

We will post on the boards when new product begins to arrive........ late June it might begin to be shipped to us, it may not go onstage until early July. The adult softlines (clothing) and hardlines (we have no idea, hopefully figurines, mugs, frames, ?) may arrive a little later, along with infants. THAT is the time to give us another shot......... if you are looking for the revised product mix.

Management tells us that they are finally listening to US, and all the requests we have been passing along from our guests. So we can only hope it all works out.

 

[cindyfan]

I'm thinking I will post before this thread gets locked!

Anyway, as a former CM.....I am saddened by the present state of the DS. The ones I have visited lately are no where near what they used to be 3 years ago!!!
They have really lowered the bar........beginning with the merchandise ..........right down to the standards they set for the CMs. Yes, I know, I will be "mud" now too!
They used to have VERY HIGH standards and it is obvious that those don't exist any more. The quality of merchandise is just junk!
The look of the store is messy.....what happen to the "show"???
It is as if no one cares....and I am talking about the upper management.
I know lots of CM still LOVE what they do, etc, etc....but, are they looking through rose colored glasses?? Just remembering the "way it used to be"??

As a guest.....I simply do not enjoy going in there......there is nothing I want to buy! And certainly no more "synergy". No CMs spreading magic....just those trying to sell the next video.

NOW.....as a stock holder in the Disney Co..........I say Sell them!!! They are just dragging the company down..... ( I also say....Sell ABC!! )

Don't count TDS out yet...we still have a pulse

Sorry, but there comes a time to sign the DNR and let them die peacefully!

Okay, you can all flame me now!
You can call me "mud" but spelled backwards....it is "dum", which I am not.

 

[PamOKW]

So, the stores are messy, the stores are crowded and noisy, and the lines are long, and the product is not new and exciting.

Well, my store was messy with no product but it certainly wasn't crowded, noisy or had long lines. It was basically empty with the only person buying anything the woman asking for park tickets. Hopefully, there will be a quick turnaround but I feel like I've been hearing that for quite awhile now.

My other question would be why would someone other than Disney buy the stores? If Disney isn't interested in having "Disney magic" in the stores a new buyer certainly won't either. Would it be someone who buys the stores to get the leases? Any retailers out there with an understanding of why a non-Disney company would want a Disney Store chain?

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Any retailers out there with an understanding of why a non-Disney company would want a Disney Store chain?

A savvy retailing company with a superb network of suppliers, state-of-art inventory management & distribution, proven merchandising skills, and economies of scale from other mall store operations might be in a better position to run successful Disney Stores than Disney itself. Under such circumstances, Disney would make "pure profit" in the form of licensing fees, while the savvy retail company would deal with the capital costs and operating costs of running the retail operation. The public wouldn't even know the difference -- except that the stores and merchandise might be more appealing than today.

Of course, that's a best case scenario.

In my mind, the issue is whether another retailer can infuse the stores with true Disney "magic." After all, the Disney Stores were wonderful in their early years, but even Disney lost sight of how to put smiles onto the faces of Disney Store shoppers.