Disney takes control of Disney Stores

[GrumpyFan]

Looks like it's official now.

- From USA Today -
The Walt Disney Company Takes Control of Disney Stores in North America

BURBANK, Calif., May 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Walt Disney Company [DIS] today announced that it has acquired the Disney Store chain in North America from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. As a result of the transaction, which consisted of an asset purchase by Disney's subsidiaries through the bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings of Hoop Retail Stores, LLC in Delaware and Hoop Canada, Inc. in Canada, Disney acquired approximately 220 Disney Stores in the United States and Disney Stores in Canada, with actual number of acquired stores dependent upon the outcome of negotiations with landlords. Disney also obtained the right to conduct an orderly wind-down and closure of approximately 98 Disney Stores in the United States and two Disney Stores in Canada, but without assuming the leases for such stores.

"From Cars to High School Musical to Disney Fairies, Disney's entertainment engines are producing multiple popular franchises," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products. "The Disney Stores can play a vital role in touching the millions who cross their thresholds. With the reach of a global retail chain, we will be better able to take advantage of our franchises."

Mr. Mooney announced that retail and Disney veteran James D. Fielding has accepted the position of President, Disney Stores Worldwide. Mr. Fielding will oversee merchandising and all other operations of the Disney Stores in North America and the 107 existing Disney Stores in Europe, as well as manage the relationship with Oriental Land Company, which operates the Disney Stores in Japan under a license arrangement.

SOURCE: The Walt Disney Company

Let's hope it turns out better than it did the first time.

My sympathies to those who are losing their jobs.

[lockedoutlogic]

Looks like it's official now.



Let's hope it turns out better than it did the first time.

My sympathies to those who are losing their jobs.

the reason the disney store went south is because they overexpanded and tried to squeeze water out of rocks.....

Paul Pressler

[Dyanna]

I hope the quality & selection of merchandise get better

[Flower]

That is awesome news that Disney is taking them back!!!! Is there a list yet of which stores will be closing?

[pdrlkr]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this turns out for the better.

[TheRustyScupper]

Return of the Classics . . .

. . . The Killer Tomatoes
. . . Bell Bottom Pants
. . . 1956 Chevy's
. . . Huge Gobs of Plushes at Disney Stores

[SteveL]

Sorry to see it happen.
Getting 30% discount was better than getting 20% discount.

[Jasper]

Add me to the list of those who really want this to work but have deep reservations after the way they botched it the first time. I realize that management at many levels of the Disney Company have changed since they last owned the stores but that doesn't mean they know anymore about retail than they did before. Does anyone know anything about this James Fielding who is taking over as President of the retail business? Does he have a background that is really relevant or is it just window dressing? I also hope he understands the history of what has gone on before at the Disney Stores so that he hopefully can pick the good from the bad!

By the way, since the Disney Company is now officially back in the retail business does that mean this James Fielding also becomes responsible for the stores inside the parks as well?

[Polynesian Dweller]

Does anyone know anything about this James Fielding who is taking over as President of the retail business? Does he have a background that is really relevant or is it just window dressing?

Don't know a lot about him but he was in merchandising for 10 years with the GAP and has also been with J.Peterman and Land's End. That's got to be worth something.

Time will tell, but my recollection was that the stores were better before they were taken over by The Children's Place so there's hope.

[EpcotRescueRanger]

I hope they open one here in Puerto Rico. We used to have one but it closed before it got sold to the children's place. I am optimistic about Disney taking back TDS, management has changed and I trust they will do a good job.

*BTW, it shows this is my first post but actually I have been visiting Intercot for years and I used to be a member and active poster but I stopped posting and forgot my password. But now I am back!*

[Goof42]

Hopefully they've figured out that they need to include better merchandise for the adults and not just fill the store with junk for the kids. (and generally I do mean junk).

They still had some nice stuff and *occasionally* they had something for the adults that was worthwhile...though you have to figure that for the nice stuff you take the TCP already overpriced prices and add the Disney premium...holy cow. even their clearances were usually a joke.

We still shop there and I hope our local store stays open but that it becomes more fun again!

[BklynChick]

Hopefully they've figured out that they need to include better merchandise for the adults...(and generally I do mean junk)

I agree 100%!

Thank goodness I am near the WOD store in Manhattan, because the "adult" offerings at Disney Store were mostly a joke. I actually found better stuff at the Disney Store outlet in Woodbury Commons upstate than at the stores in my local malls.

[i'm grumpy]

Not getting my hopes up. The closest store is 150 miles round trip and you can't afford to go there and come home with nothing. Such junk!!! It's probably one on the closing list.

[lockedoutlogic]

Don't know a lot about him but he was in merchandising for 10 years with the GAP and has also been with J.Peterman and Land's End. That's got to be worth something.

Time will tell, but my recollection was that the stores were better before they were taken over by The Children's Place so there's hope.

Paul Pressler ran the 1300 disney stores into oblivion....because there shouldn't have been 1300

then he got promoted and started to run the parks into oblivion.....

the he left to take over the GAP.....

their stock fell.....he was tossed out 2 years ago......



the point is that i hope this new head of disney stores isn't associated with Paulie in any way.....what a schmuck that guy was

[tundramom]

[QUOTE
*BTW, it shows this is my first post but actually I have been visiting Intercot for years and I used to be a member and active poster but I stopped posting and forgot my password. But now I am back!*[/QUOTE]

Back!

[Goof42]

Just found out they are apparently not closing any of the South Florida stores. Also, TCP inventory is still in the store although the new summer line for adults has some interesting selections. Not much of course and there doesn't appear to be a "family" outfit...

Looks like all snow globes are on sale as well...
(50% off on regular and 40% off of clearance)

[laprana]

Just found out this past weekend that both of the Disney Stores in the St. Louis area are closing. I was at one of them on Saturday, and there's a big sign out front that says something like, "Sorry folks, this store is scheduled to close." I asked the CM at the register when it would be official, and she said they'd be totally closed up in 6-7 weeks. She also told me that the other St. Louis store is closing, too. I was crushed! I was really hoping they'd keep at least one of them open, but no such luck. Now, if I want to go to a Disney store, the closest ones to me will be Chicago (5-hour drive) or Branson, MO, (another 5-hour drive). Darn it.

[senderella]

Found out yesterday they are not closing the Knoxville TN store. Yea!!
Not much of a sale (except for the snowglobes).

Can't wait to see the changes Disney makes....I did see one change already (at least I think I did). It seems like the shirts the employees were wearing were different, red with white mouse ears over the pocket. Am I dreaming or these shirts what they have been wearing?

[tinkerbellybutton]

The closest one we've had is about 40 miles away at the Maine Mall and when we were there on Sunday they told us that it's closing.

[lockedoutlogic]

Unless they drastically improve the product....the loss of a disney store really isn't that big of a deal....

disneyshopping.com has a much better selection...and it's there are always promotions that bring the price down to the same or less than the retail price at the stores....

just some perspective....there are other ways to get your fix....

perhaps if they tear it down a little and rebuild a better store.....some of the closures will come back in new development later