Disney Stores Getting Overhaul

[Explicit]

Saw this article and seems intresting. What is everyone else's thoughts on this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/bu.../13disney.html

Disney’s Retail Plan Is a Theme Park in Its Stores
By BROOKS BARNES
Published: October 12, 2009
LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Company, with the help of Steven P. Jobs and his retailing team at Apple, intends to drastically overhaul its approach to the shopping mall.

. . .

Disney Stores, which the media giant is considering rebranding Imagination Park, will become more akin to cozy entertainment hubs. The chain’s traditional approach of displaying row after row of toys and apparel geared to Disney franchises will be given a high-tech makeover and incorporated into a new array of recreational activities. The goal is to make children clamor to visit the stores and stay longer, perhaps bolstering sales as a result. Over the next five years, analysts estimate that Disney will spend about $1 million a store to redecorate, reorganize and install interactive technology.

Read the full story at the link above.

Check out the CNBC report of this: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1294049041&play=1#

[yoyoflamingo]

This sounds exciting...however they also need to realize adults will buy merchandise too. While the kids are busy playing, add some adult/collectible merchandise for their parents to browse and possibly buy as well.

I guess NNL and I will check it out in May, since Long Island is surprisingly one of the first three...and we'll be at the new flagship in Times Square once (if) it opens also.

[Aladdin]

BRAVO!!!! I love when they admit the current mistakes like "dog's breakfast", because that means they are now focussed on erradicating those errors! However, I have said, from the 1st time I saw the big red mickey head stores, It's Looks like an emergency ward at the hospital. And even children's hospitals know that's a bad thing! This sounds like the first actual imrovement since the original stores that each had their own distinct displays!

And ABSOLUTELY!!!! They need to add back the adult and collectable merchandise!

[stitchon]

They certainly sound amazing... but focusing on kids is such a lame decision. I guess no one in the store division realizes that Disney is more than just kids' stuff.

[Disney Magic]

This will be interesting to see what actually happens.

Since the end of August Disney Store opened three new stores in the Boston market. Including one which had their grand opening today. Two of which were in malls that at one point had and the third mall never had one prior. These three stores all were literaly thrown together in a little over a weeks time, and it shows. Supposedly they are on a short term lease (two years from my understaning)very little was changed from the previous tenant that occupied the three spaces and what couldn't get cover over with a can of white paint got a magical white shower curtain with pixie dust to cover hanging on a metal rod. Complete with generic white shelves. I am not joking when I say these stores were "constructed" and "merchandised" in about a weeks time.

[Mr Wiggins]

I would call that a major ray of hope.

This could have the earmarks of a hit -- not just in concept, but more importantly in the development approach.

Now, if Jobs can just keep the pressure on the Company to prevent it from doing what it has done with every hit since Eisner's day, namely, greedily force the Golden Goose to lay 10 years' of profits in 18 months, they just might have something that works for the long term. Something that is truly 21st-century Disney magic.

[MrSunnyBlack]

This sounds amazing! I cannot wait to see what they do with the Times Square flagship. THAT one will be a destination. Hopefully if they are about to sign a lease they could possibly get it completed around the end of next year in time for some cross promotion with Tron & Rapunzel.

[OC2Epcot]

I can't wait to see what the stores look like. Disney spending a million dollars per store is pretty impressive. I would be pretty surprised if Simon Property Group didn't go along with whatever Disney wanted to do ... Especially in these days when retailers are leaving malls, not coming to them.

[Dustysage]

Sounds like a really great idea.

[NeverNeverland]

I hope that the flagship one is similar to the current one on 5th Ave, merchandise-wise. I hope it isn't just kid's merch like the current stores in malls are.

[Kuzcochik]

I've seen the early concept art and it looks pretty cool if they do it right.

Oh and re: the NYC store. Yes it's a Disney store, but it's not part of The Disney Store. Think of it like a World of Disney. The NYC store and the ones at Dl & WDW's downtown Disney's aren't actually part of the Disney Store chain

[gusapple]

This sounds really interesting and intriguing. I saw it on my Mac rumors and news site and thought that it was a good idea. Jobs did bring Apple back from the dead and the Apple Stores are definitely one of the best quality places. It'll be interesting to see if this turns the Disney Store around or not.

[NeverNeverland]

Originally Posted by Kuzcochik

Oh and re: the NYC store. Yes it's a Disney store, but it's not part of The Disney Store. Think of it like a World of Disney. The NYC store and the ones at Dl & WDW's downtown Disney's aren't actually part of the Disney Store chain

So you're saying it will stay the way it is?

[MrSunnyBlack]

Originally Posted by Kuzcochik

I've seen the early concept art and it looks pretty cool if they do it right.

Oh and re: the NYC store. Yes it's a Disney store, but it's not part of The Disney Store. Think of it like a World of Disney. The NYC store and the ones at Dl & WDW's downtown Disney's aren't actually part of the Disney Store chain

Is any of the concept art online?

[Kuzcochik]

Originally Posted by NeverNeverland

So you're saying it will stay the way it is?

I believe it will (actually am I wrong or aren't they closing the NYC store?)

Originally Posted by MrSunnyBlack

Is any of the concept art online?

Would that it was, but not as of yet. I'd share but I'd rather not lose my job