For Disney fans who don’t live near Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, or Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, visiting their local Disney Store locations brought a dash of magic to everyday life. In recent months, however, The Walt Disney Company has begun shifting its retail model, and the result has been a number of Disney Store closures around the world.
Today Disney announced plans to focus on its ecommerce business and significantly reduce its brick-and-mortar footprint, beginning with the closure of at least 60 stores in North America this year.
Over the next year Disney will focus on providing a more seamless, personalized and franchise-focused ecommerce experience through its shopDisney platform which will be complemented by greater integration with Disney Parks apps and social media platforms. This will be coupled with an assortment of new and elevated merchandise from the Company’s full range of brands, including adult apparel collections and artist collaborations, trend-forward streetwear, premium home products and collectibles.
“While consumer behavior has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer,” said Stephanie Young, president, Consumer Products Games and Publishing. “Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on meeting consumers where they are already spending their time, such as the expansion of Disney store shop-in-shops around the world. We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected ecommerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high-quality products across all our franchises.”
Recently, Disney announced its latest wave of closures, which include more locations in the United Kingdom and Canada — British Columbia will be left without any Disney Stores — and additional store closings within the United States, including the store at Cincinnati’s Kenwood Towne Center and the company’s Honolulu, Hawaii location.
Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment and many shoppers are devastated.
Chelsie Rukia shared a GIF of a sobbing Alice and wrote:
NO!!!! DISNEY STORE GOING CLOSING DOWN ON JULY 14TH!!! #disney #disneystore
Hayley is heartbroken over the rumor that all of the U.K. Disney Stores except London’s Oxford Street flagship location will be closing. Disney has not yet confirmed this information, but it’s obvious that Disney lovers are extremely sad about the news if it does turn out to be true:
So sad that all Disney Stores in the U.K.except London will be closing. Nothing beats the real life shopping experience and now children will grow up without the magical memories these stores bring
So sad that all Disney Stores in the U.K.except London will be closing. Nothing beats the real life shopping experience and now children will grow up without the magical memories these stores bring ? #disneystore@shopDisney
Zoey reminisced about working at the Disney Store and begged Disney to reconsider their decision to continue shutting down retail outlets:
…[bought my first] item a little Simba toy (still have all the receipts and bags) from the Derby store and worked in a store for a couple of months during Christmas. Going to miss them so mutch. Lots of love and hugs #thankyoudisneystore #pleasedontclose #disneystore
item a little Simba toy (still have all the receipts and bags) from the Derby store and worked in a store for a couple of months during Christmas. Going to miss them so mutch. Lots of love and hugs #thankyoudisneystore#pleasedontclose#disneystore
Carly JoAnn shared many Disney fans’ sentiments. She is saddened by the fact that she will no longer be able to experience a touch of Disney magic without visiting a theme park:
Found out that the last Disney Store in CO is closing I know we always have @shopDisney but I love getting a taste of the magic at home #disneystore
Found out that the last Disney Store in CO is closing ? I know we always have @shopDisney but I love getting a taste of the magic at home ?#disneystore
Just another company doing away with jobs for the almighty dollar. Not everything can sell e-commerce!!! They are taking away the fun of retail and making people more like robots! Sad!!!
Credit: Disney
Another reader, Kathy, shared that she has been concerned about how Disney Stores would remain open since she worked at one:
The Magic is gone and unfortunately has been for several years. I was a manager for 7 years and could see it coming. It saddens me to see it closes.
Credit: Disney
Finally, Jenn pointed out that people who don’t enjoy online shopping are now going to have trouble getting the Disney merchandise they crave:
It’s very sad to me. Every store that closes is one less place to enjoy “The Magic”. I personally hate online shopping & refuse to do it. With one less store available then that’s less shopping for me.
At this time, it does not seem as though Disney will reconsider permanently closing many of its Disney Store locations worldwide, despite fans’ objections. Remember, you can always find Disney magic online at shopDisney.com and at Disney theme parks around the globe.
Credit: Disney
Please note that the World of Disney locations at both Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs neighborhood and Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District will remain open.
What do you think about Disney’s decision to continue closing stores around North America and the world?
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Credit: Disney
