Interesting Article about Disney Store Remodels

[WaltD4Me]

Really interesting article about Disney Store remodels apparently be directed by Steve Jobs of Apple. It all sounds very cool, I like the part about the story prototype, but $ 1 million for the remodel per store?!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/media/13disney.html?_r=2&ref=business

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Very interesting, I just hope they remember to stock the stores with cool Merchandise as well. That's my main problem with the stores, after your kids hit a certain age (or size, since they stopped making kids size 14 a few years ago) there isn't much to buy. And even though they bring out new designs each year, they aren't very "fresh", KWIM? My preteen and new teen, usually find cute purses, etc with a Disney design at WalMart instead of a Disney Store!

 

[MommyTaraLee]

Wow! I hope it works out the way the article presents it!

 

[WDWKOOK]

This part of the article really stumped me:

"Parents will be able to book a Disney Cruise on touch-screen kiosks while their children play..."

Sip a latte - maybe, sit in a comfy chair - sure, but book a cruise in a Disney Store at a public kiosk while keeping an eye out for your child(ren) while experiencing the general chaotic atmosphere of a mall store - are they kidding themselves? Who would actually do this and what would be the possible advantage over doing it at home? I wonder who came up with this and if they'll actually implement this "plan".

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Yippee!
2) The Disney Stores are going back to customer service.
3) And, the "shopping experience".
4) The change to just-selling almost killed the stores.
5) Now, it looks like fun again, plus added attractions!
6) This could easily win back my business.

*******************************************************​

Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 2:09pm EDT

The Walt Disney Co. is giving its chain of Disney Stores an extreme makeover, with the concept being led by Apple executive and Disney board member Steve Jobs, according to The New York Times.

The remake of the company's 340 stores in the United States and Europe will shift the store from a typical retail store to where customers have more of an "experience."

Southern California will be one of the first areas to see the new Disney Store concept. Disney is looking to have a flagship store in Times Square in New York, and is close to finalizing a lease agreement for the store, the Times report said.

The stores, which might even experience a name change to Imagination Park, according to the report, will have many interactive elements, such as theaters for children to watch Disney programming.

Jobs has taken cues from the development of Apple's highly successful Apple Store franchise in the refurbishment. The report says that at Jobs' insistence, Disney build a prototype to work out problems.

The report says that the prototype has been developed in a warehouse in Glendale.

It also says that Disney will spend about $1 million per store in the process.

 

[Cricket2]

Video...


http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1294049041&play=1

 

[Meg13]

This remodel sounds really cool; rather ambitious, but very cool. I just hope, as MommyTaraLee said, that the stores turn out as they were presented in the article. Those are some high expectations.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Sounds like a great idea but they're going to have to tripple the size of the stores by me.

 

[ktlm]

Sounds like a great idea but they're going to have to tripple the size of the stores by me.

I agree. It sounds fun, but there is no way I can see that they can have all that and also have merchandise in our store. The store is alreadly packed with merchandise and on the weekends is so crowded that you can barely move.