Stitch store news

[tikistitch]

Disney takes over Disney Stores from Children's Place

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Walt Disney Co. said Thursday it has taken over the Disney Store chain in North America from Children's Place Retail Stores, and will close about 98 stores U.S. and two in Canada.

Specific financial terms weren't disclosed, but Secaucus, N.J.-based Children's Place said it will cost the company $50 million to exit the operations, at the bottom of its estimated range of $50 million to $100 million.

Walt Disney acquired about 220 Disney Stores in the U.S. and Canada. The deal was completed in conjunction with the bankruptcy proceedings Children's Place subsidiaries Hoop Retail Stores and Hoop Canada, which ran the Disney Store chain. The companies filed for Chapter 11 protection in March.

It's a crappy retail environment out there, so you can't totally blame Children's Place, but we thought the stores have taken a distinct dive downhill these past couple years. One little thing, but it was annoying, was that they stopped getting the widescreen versions of the DVDs when TCP took over. We used to be willing to pay a few extra bux to get our DVDs at Dizzney stores, 'cause they'd have little giveaway prints and suchlike.

Some great commentary from thedisneyblog....

It’s my hope that [incoming president James] Fielding will bring back some direction and some “Disney Magic” to The Disney Stores. Return to what worked. Highly themed stores are a must since that sets the stores apart from others in the mall. A decent collectibles area (with store exclusives), some nice watches, plenty of children’s clothes and toys for kids of all ages, and good promotions tied in with movies and theme parks. Some people would add Disney Pins to that, but I think that trend is on the way out.

You may also remember that The Disney Catalog was a casualty of this failed experiment. They definitely need to bring that back (perhaps combined with some new form for The Disney Magazine).

I would also like to see the return of The Disney Gallery concept (perhaps mixed with the new high end clothing and furniture lines). Las Vegas, Anaheim, Orlando, New York City and Chicago are the obvious places to bring those to immediately. The Disney Gallery is an important destination store for The Disney Fan. Even if they don’t have a Disney Store in their community, they’ll go out of their way to find and visit the nearest Disney Gallery.

Dunno what's gonna work for the stores, but we know they've been losing a lot of money from us, just 'cause there's been nothing to buy at The Dizzney Stores lately. If they had something like a mini version of the high end stores on Main Street in the parks, we'd be there every week.

Comments

[avalonjones.livejournal.com]

I'd just seen this article elsewhere a few minutes ago, and thought of you. Do you think the Disney Stores will be having sales? (Of course, if they don't have anything you want to buy, I guess there's not much point in going to a sale...)

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

That's *exactly* the problem! They've been having a lot of sales. Typically, a couple weeks after they've issued a new item, they'll do a 2 for 1 sale on it. But there's nothing to buy, even at half price!

[avalonjones.livejournal.com]

Looking at the article again, I take it this doesn't impact Disney Stores that aren't in North America. So the Disney Stores in Japan have been run by Disney all along-? I was in one in September, in Harajuku, and it was *huge* and very all-encompassing. Quite a bit more of an "experience" than any Disney store I'd browsed in the U.S.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

According to Wikipedia, the J stores are owned by "Oriental Land Company," and not by Disney. I love that Harajuku store.

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

Yup, not at all related. LOVE the Japanese D stores.

I've been upset that they've basically weaned out of carrying any Stitch stuff. The D stores had been going downhill when they got out of carrying adult clothing, long before TCP bought them. Hopefully they'll reverse this. I agree that going "upscale" (NOT hautewear but just more expensive stuff) is a good thing. There are so many people who would buy giclees and cels and such. Not to mention expensive Stitch things.

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

PS: They have a D store in Harajuku??? Is the merch at all like the ones they have at the D store at the train station near TDL?

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

I believe the Disney store near TDL is actually associated with TDL (and, one assumes, owned by Disney), as they have the same merch. The merchandise in Harajuku, and the other J Disney stores I visited, was *completely* different from what you found inside the parks.

[avalonjones.livejournal.com]

Haven't been to Tokyo Disneyland yet myself, so I can't say for sure, but you guys would know way more about that than I would. The Harajuku store is definitely worth a visit--it's HUGE, and has lots of stuff, including stuff on things that aren't that popular "right now," which is always refreshing to see. I wish I'd had more time to go through it (as well as more money to spend!).

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

Oh lordy. I will have to go back to Japan again.

Any pointers on where I can find the store in Harajuku?

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

Wait wait, I found this review:

"The Disney Store is forty percent general Disney merchandise, fifty percent Stitch merchandise, and ten percent Mickey and Minnie Mouse wedding merchandise. The Stitch paraphernalia is awesome and really cute?my favorite was a “female” Stitch holding a towel of a woman in a bikini over her body.">

/falls over from fainting

[barnabascousins.livejournal.com]

What they also need to realize is that a lot of young adults and not so young adults with cash to spare grew up with Disney characters OTHER than Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pooh. I'm tired of only seeing merchandise for the characters I would buy stuff for, only available in throw away junk, or little girls t-shirts. (Granted I *do* love Donald, and *do* snap up Donald merchandise).

I hope my local Disney store doesn't shut down! I was so ecstatic when we moved to Maine and the Bangor Mall had a Disney store, only to have it close less than a year later. We're in NY for a job, and once again the local mall has a D store. Please don't let it be on of the fated 98!