Editing Disney Store (section)

==History==
The first Disney Store opened in the [[Glendale Galleria]] in [[Glendale, California]], on March 28, 1987.<ref group=ChWDC>{{cite web|title=1987|url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1987.htm|access-date=26 November 2012}} source:<br />*Prince of the Magic Kingdom, by Joe Flower, 1991.<br />*Work in Progress, by Michael Eisner, 1998. Page 243.</ref>

The first Disney Store outside California opened in [[Bridgewater Commons]] in [[Bridgewater, New Jersey]], on June 18, 1988.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/280832837/ Disney Store opens in Jersey]". ''The Daily Journal''. June 18, 1988. p. 1.</ref>

The first overseas Disney Store opened in November 1990 in [[London|London, England]].<ref group=ChWDC>{{cite web|title=1987|url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990jul.htm|access-date=26 November 2012}} source:<br />*Work in Progress, by Michael Eisner, 1998. Page 246.<br />*The New Internationalist, December 1998, Number 308. Page 19.</ref>

[[File:Disney Store logo.svg|thumb|Logo used from 2010 to 2017|class=skin-invert]]

Doug Murphy was hired by Disney Store as manager of new business development in September 1991, then promoted to head business development in April 1993.<ref name="lat5">{{cite news|title=Gutshall Named President of Palo Alto Drug Maker|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-11-fi-7853-story.html|access-date=February 6, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 1994}}</ref> The first Japanese location opened in 1992<ref name=lat0>{{cite news|title=Disney to Sell Its Retail Stores in Japan|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-11-fi-44387-story.html|access-date=27 November 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 11, 2001|agency=Bloomberg News}}</ref> as did the first Australian store.<ref name=abi>{{cite news|title=Disney Store closing its doors|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92838628.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085841/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92838628.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 20, 2014|newspaper=Australasian Business Intelligence|date=October 15, 2002|agency=Inside Retailing - ABIX via COMTEX}}</ref> In 1992, [[Company scrip|Disney Dollars]] were available at Disney Stores.<ref group=ChWDC>{{cite web|title=1992|url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1992.htm|access-date=October 13, 2015}} source:<br />Disney Magazine, Summer 1997. Page 68.</ref>

A showcase {{convert|11000|sqft}} location was opened in the third quarter 1994 at the Post and Powell corner of [[San Francisco]]'s [[Union Square, San Francisco|Union Square]].<ref name="ctrib0">{{cite news|last1=Sandoval|first1=Ricardo|title=Disney Entertaining Retail Splash|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/12/26/disney-entertaining-retail-splash/|access-date=October 25, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=San Francisco Examiner|date=December 26, 1993|language=en}}</ref> On October 24, 1994, its Disney Store (Hong Kong) Ltd. opened its first location in a [[New Territories]] shopping center.<ref name="os0">{{cite news|title=Disney Retail Operations Expanded To Hong Kong|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/10/25/disney-retail-operations-expanded-to-hong-kong/|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 25, 1994}}</ref>  In 1996, Disney Store opened its [[#New York City flagship|flagship]] location in [[New York City]].<ref name="nyt0">{{cite news|last1=McGeehan|first1=Patrick|title=For Disney, the Magic on Fifth Avenue Ends|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/for-disney-the-magic-on-fifth-avenue-ends/?_r=0|access-date=December 10, 2016|work=City Room|date=September 23, 2009}}</ref> A Disney Store location opened next to the [[El Capitan Theatre]] in its building in 1998.<ref name="d23">{{cite web|title=Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/disneys-soda-fountain-studio-store/|website=D23: Disney A to Z|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906071543/https://d23.com/a-to-z/disneys-soda-fountain-studio-store/|archive-date=September 6, 2015|url-access=registration}}</ref>

The first [[The Disney Gallery#Other locations|Walt Disney Gallery]] opened outside of the park next to the Disney Store at [[Westfield MainPlace|Main Place Santa Ana]] in California on November 4, 1994<ref name="lat6">{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Greg|title=Restaurants And Retail|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-20-fi-40934-story.html|access-date=February 6, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 20, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1= Greg |title=Retail |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-01-fi-57437-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times|date=1 November 1994}}</ref> and was operated by Disney Store.<ref name="lat6" /> Doug Murphy was appointed vice president of the Walt Disney Gallery for Disney Store in December 1994.<ref name="lat5" />

{| class="wikitable" align=right
|-
!colspan=3| Store Numbers
|-
! Year !! Licensed !! Disney Owned
|-
| 1987 || N/A || 1
|-
| 1990 || N/A || 78<ref name="os1"/> 
|-
| 1992 || N/A || 126<ref name="lat6"/>
|-
| 1993 || N/A || 215<ref name="ctrib0"/>
|-
| 1994 ||  N/A  || 310<ref name="lat6"/>
|-
| 1997 || N/A || 749<ref>{{cite news|last1=Holson|first1=Laura M.|title=A Nike Veteran Adds Some Swoosh to Disney's Tired Mouse|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/business/media/30disney.html|access-date=February 26, 2015|date=August 30, 2004}}</ref>
|-
| 2001 || N/A || 700<ref name=lat0/>
|-
| 2004 || 313<ref name=lat/> ||
|-
| 2008 || 322 (March 24)<ref name=mw/> || 220<ref name=lat2/>
|-
| 2009 || 357<ref name="ctrib1"/> ||
|-
| 2013 || 520 || 200<ref name=wwd/>
|-
| 2014 || 564 || 200<ref name=dn/>
|-
| 2015 || 680<ref name=dn/> ||
|}

In 2000, its store in [[Munich]] was closed.<ref name="sdz">{{cite news |last1=Ratzesberger |first1=Pia |title=Das Geschäft mit der Maus |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/disney-shop-in-muenchen-das-geschaeft-mit-der-maus-1.3740962 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |work=sueddeutsche.de |date=8 November 2017 |language=de}} [https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sueddeutsche.de%2Fmuenchen%2Fdisney-shop-in-muenchen-das-geschaeft-mit-der-maus-1.3740962&edit-text= Translation: The business with the mouse].</ref> In September 2000, Disney Store remodeled two stores, showing off prototype designs in Costa Mesa and Cherry Hill, N.J. These stores had more space and a high-tech look where theme park tickets could be bought via computer stations. When Disney indicated that this new model would be rolled out to 350 stores, they also indicated the closure of 100 locations worldwide. Analysts had indicated that Disney had overbuilt stores. By April 2001, 20 stores were redone in the high tech style when a new president, Peter Whitford, was hired.<ref name=lat1>{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|title=Disney Stores to Get Redesign|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-02-fi-disney2-story.html|access-date=August 6, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 2, 2002}}</ref>

In late 2002, two new prototypes were rolled out in Canoga Park and Torrance. In March 2002, Disney Stores Worldwide announced that the chain would be split into two types of stores, Disney Play and Disney Kids at Home. They also continued closing stores to reach 350 by 2005. The Disney Play stores would stock Disney character toys, plush dolls and costumes aimed at young children, while Disney Kids at Home targeted parents looking to purchase home furnishings, clothing and bed & bath products for their children. Some were expected to be a hybrid of both concepts. This roll out of the two store brands was expected to take 3 years.<ref name=lat1/> On March 31, 2003, its 16 Australian locations closed.<ref name=abi/>

With lackluster films, high-priced and high-margin items, sales dropped while continuing to overly open stores. The company closed hundreds of stores in order to make a slim profit. Whitford left in 2003.<ref name="lat4">{{cite news|last1=Menn|first1=Joseph|title=New ownership turns Disney Stores around|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-23-fi-disneystores23-story.html|access-date=December 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=23 December 2006}}</ref>

===Licensed out North American and Japanese operations===
Even though the Disney Stores maintained strong sales, mounting costs of sales and operation, and the loss of key executives who had driven the Disney Stores to success led [[The Walt Disney Company]] to convert the Disney Stores into a licensed operation. The Japanese stores were sold to [[The Oriental Land Company]] in 2002,<ref name=lat0/> while most North American stores were sold and licensed in November 2004 to [[The Children's Place]].<ref name=lat>{{cite news|title=Disney buys back store chain from Children's Place|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-02-fi-disney2-story.html|access-date=27 November 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 2, 2008|agency=Reuters}}</ref>

The Walt Disney Company decided to keep the stores in Europe, along with the flagship store in [[Manhattan]], which was converted into a [[World of Disney]] store run by [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]] in 2004,<ref name="nyt0"/> while The Children's Place got the Chicago flagship location.<ref name="rtrs">{{cite news|title=Children's Place, Disney unit settle store dispute|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-childrensplace-settlement-disney/childrens-place-disney-unit-settle-store-dispute-idUSWNAS353020070608|access-date=October 23, 2017|work=Reuters|date=June 8, 2007}}</ref> On June 2, 2005, the [[#Studio Store|Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store]] opened up in the [[El Capitan Theatre|El Capitan Building]] on the ground floor replacing a Disney Store.<ref name=d23/><ref name=pr>{{cite press release | author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title =Hollywood's Coolest New "Hot Spot" | url =http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/soda_fountain/press.html | url-status =dead | publisher = Buena Vista Pictures Distribution | date = June 22, 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051214180149/http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/soda_fountain/press.html | archive-date = December 14, 2005 | access-date = September 8, 2015 }}</ref>

Disney sold the chain for the cost of inventory to the Children's Place's subsidiary Hoop Holdings and signed a 15-year licensing agreement.<ref name="lat4" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2008/03/unit_of_childrens_place_that_o.html|title=Unit of Children's Place that operates Disney Stores files for bankruptcy|publisher=nj.com |date=2008-03-27 |access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> Under the licensing agreement, a "royalty holiday" period existed until October 2006 to allow revamping of the stores. The royalty thereafter was 5% of store sales while online sales give Disney a 9% to 10% royalty. Hoop Holdings had to write off the cost ($48 million) of the equipment and property received in the purchase.<ref name="lat4" /> On the weekend of March 24, 2005, Hoop Holdings opened its first Disney Store Outlet location.<ref>{{cite press release |date=March 24, 2005 |title=Disney Store Announces Expansion Into Outlet Centers |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=120577&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=764230 |publisher=Disney Store North America (Hoop Holdings) |access-date=2017-02-11}}</ref>

The Children's Place intended to reinvigorate the Disney Store brand in the United States by expanding the number of stores, reducing initial selling prices. Previously, Disney Stores have been well known for inflated initial prices, which would be marked down substantially after just a few weeks. Also, The Children's Place opened Disney outlet stores, which have lower operating costs and typically have a high profit margin even though they have reduced prices versus mall stores. However, Disney's strict licensing agreement, which included the burden of being required to invest significantly in store remodels, contributed to the eventual decision by The Children's Place to exit the business.<ref name=mw>{{cite news|last=Daniel|first=Robert|title=Children's Place's Disney Store unit files Chapter 11|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-store-unit-of-retailer-files-for-bankruptcy-protection?dist=hplatest|access-date=27 November 2012|newspaper=MarketWatch|date=March 27, 2008}}</ref>

Hoops saw progress with its strategy as open stores in 2006 for 11 month saw 15% increase in sales assisted by a better Disney box office results, and the success of the [[Disney Channel]]'s hit made-for-TV movie ''[[High School Musical]]''. A store website would be up and running in April 2007.<ref name="lat4" /> Hoops Retail Stores, DBA Disney Store and a subsidiary of The Children's Place, commenced a 13-year lease of the [[Royal Laundry Complex]] in 2006.<ref name="labj">{{cite news |last1=Firnhaber |first1=Bethany |title=Historic Pasadena Site Touts Creative Appeal |url=http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2014/feb/17/historic-pasadena-site-touts-creative-appeal/?page=1& |access-date=June 4, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Business Journal |date=February 17, 2014}}</ref>

On June 8, 2007, [[Disney Consumer Products]] and The Children's Place settled a licensing agreement dispute, in which Disney indicated 130 unfixed breaches. The Children's Place agreed to have a new prototype store design approved by Disney by the end of June with the prototype to rolled out to 234 existing stores by January 31, 2012, while 18 new prototype store would be opened by early 2009. At the Chicago flagship and about 165 other locations, Hoops would get maintenance up to date by June 30, 2008. Restrictions on Disney to give direct merchandising licenses to other specialty retailers was loosened.<ref name="rtrs"/>

In 2005, DCP has begun working with various Indian retail outlets to establish Disney Corners within the outlets to sell licensed merchandise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhattacharjee|first=Manisha|title=Disney's Eisner, Iger in India; to meet PM & President|url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr296.htm|access-date=23 April 2014|newspaper=Indiantelevision.com|date=25 April 2005|archive-date=24 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424034506/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr296.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 26 September 2006, the Disney Jeans brand was launched under license to Indus Clothing, who planned to open 30 Disney Jean stores by the end of 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney Jeans launched, plans 30 stores|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/disney-jeans-launched-plans-30-stores-106092600046_1.html|access-date=23 April 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=26 September 2006}}</ref> In October 2006, DCP licensed the rights to Ravi Jaipuria Corporation for five years to set up 150 Disney Artist brand stores and wholesales under the Disney Artist brand, which sold Disney character-branded greeting cards, stationery, arts, crafts and party products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney to set up 150 stores in India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Disney-to-set-up-150-stores-in-India/articleshow/2153876.cms?referral=PM|access-date=23 April 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=12 October 2006|agency=TNN}}</ref>

===Reunited operations===
[[File:EatonDisneyStore.jpg|thumb|left|The old Disney Store in [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada in 2010, before renovations.]]
[[File:Disney Store in Toronto Eaton Centre.jpg|thumb|left|The former Disney Store in [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in 2014 after renovations. The location closed on September 22nd, 2021.]]
Hoop Retail, The Children's Place subsidiary operating the Disney Stores, announced on March 20, 2008, that they were in talks to sell the Disney Store brand back to The Walt Disney Company. Hoop Retail filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.<ref name=ust0>{{cite news|title=Disney takes back Disney Stores from Children's Place|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-05-01-disney-stores_N.htm|access-date=27 November 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 1, 2008|agency=AP}}</ref> On May 1, 2008, 231 Disney Stores in North America once again became the property of Disney, operating under the Disney Consumer Products arm.<ref name=lat2>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|title=Head of Disney Consumer Products group steps down |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/head-of-disney-consumer-products-group-steps-down.html |access-date=15 November 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> James Fielding was named president of Disney Stores Worldwide. In Europe at the time, the chain had 107 locations.<ref name=ust0/> The San Francisco showcase location was closed in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Colliver|first1=Victoria|title=Virgin Megastore in S.F. will liquidate|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Virgin-Megastore-in-S-F-will-liquidate-3170032.php#photo-2304693|access-date=October 25, 2017|work=SFGate|publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc.|date=February 27, 2009}}</ref>

Furthermore, Disney announced in November 2009 that they were planning a massive "re-launching" and re-branding of all Disney Store locations, spearheaded by [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s [[Steve Jobs]], who pioneered the [[Apple Store|Apple Retail Store]] concept.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/media/13disney.html?scp=3&sq=disney+store&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=Disney's Retail Plan Is a Theme Park in Its Stores | first=Brooks | last=Barnes | date=October 13, 2009 | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> The new store look and feel was designed by New York-based design firm Pompei A.D.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ddionline.com/displayanddesignideas/magazine/Modern-magic-3541.shtml | work=DDI | title=Modern magic | first=Erin | last=Loewe | date=March 21, 2011 | access-date=June 19, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916070758/http://www.ddionline.com/displayanddesignideas/magazine/Modern-magic-3541.shtml | archive-date=September 16, 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and was referred to as 'Imagination Parks', which was under consideration as a new name for the stores. This model was to be high tech and have several interactive activities. $1 million was the expected outlay for converting to this concept. The first of these stores were opened in May 2010 in Long Island, Madrid and Southern California.<ref name=tr>{{cite news|last1=Hartley|first1=Adam|title=Steve Jobs turning Disney stores into 'Imagination Parks'|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/steve-jobs-turning-disney-stores-into-imagination-parks-642336|access-date=December 14, 2016|work=TechRadar|date=October 13, 2009}}</ref> 40 more of this format were to open in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney plans 40 new concept stores|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2011/05/24/disney-plans-40-new-concept-stores.html|access-date=December 14, 2016|work=South Florida Business Journal|date=May 24, 2011}}</ref>

With the shuttering of the [[Disney Parks and Resorts]]-run [[World of Disney]] store in [[Fifth Avenue]] [[New York City]] in January 2010, a Disney Store replaced it on Broadway and became the [[#New York City flagship|flagship store]]. It opened late in the year capping off a 20-store opening.<ref name=cny>{{cite news|last=Pasquarelli|first=Adrianne|title=New mouse house for Times Square|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100105/FREE/100109984|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=Crain's New York Business|date=January 5, 2010}}</ref>

[[The Oriental Land Company]] announced that it would sell its Japanese Disney Stores back to [[The Walt Disney Company]]. Disney took over Retail Networks Co., Ltd., an Oriental Land Company subsidiary owning the Disney Stores in Japan, beginning on March 31, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Retail Networks Co., Ltd.|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=22687088|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118134352/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=22687088|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|work=Company Profiles|publisher=Business Week|access-date=27 November 2012}}</ref> Ireland's first store opened on May 18, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney store for Dublin|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-252149979.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085842/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-252149979.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 20, 2014|newspaper=The Mirror|date=March 23, 2011|location=London, England}}</ref>

With president Fielding leaving, he was replaced by Molly Adams and Paul Gainer as executive vice presidents in charge of the global retail operation from their Disney Store senior vice president positions in May 2012.<ref name="ctrib1">{{cite news|title=Disney completes overhaul of consumer products unit|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/29/disney-completes-overhaul-of-consumer-products-unit/|access-date=October 25, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=Reuters|date=May 29, 2012|language=en}}</ref> On September 6, 2012, the first flagship [[#Baby Store|Disney Baby Store]] opened in [[Glendale, California]].<ref name=laf>{{cite web | url =http://www.lafamily.com/activities-and-attractions-la/grand-opening-first-disney-baby-store-glendale-ca | title =Grand Opening of the First Disney Baby Store in Glendale, CA | last =Lazaro | first =Flora | date =September 5, 2012 | website =LA Family.com | access-date =December 29, 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170605073659/http://www.lafamily.com/activities-and-attractions-la/grand-opening-first-disney-baby-store-glendale-ca | archive-date =June 5, 2017 | url-status =dead }}</ref><ref name=ust>{{cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |date= September 7, 2012 |title=Disney Baby retail and online store targets youngest crowd |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/story/2012-09-05/disney-baby-store/57615352/1 |access-date=December 29, 2016 }}</ref> Regular stores were expected to add a Disney Baby section.<ref name=ust/> In November 2013, Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store replaced DeWar with [[Ghirardelli Chocolate Company]] operating the soda fountain half of the shop.<ref name=abt>{{cite web |last1=Deioma |first1=Kayte |title=Sweets and Souvenirs at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Disney Store in Hollywood |url=http://golosangeles.about.com/od/thingstodoinhollywood/fr/DisneySodaFt.htm |website=About.com Travel |publisher=About, Inc. |date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220094553/http://golosangeles.about.com/od/thingstodoinhollywood/fr/DisneySodaFt.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In January 2012, Disney Stores indicated that the company would open 25 to 40 locations in China over the next three years, with the first store originally scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rapoza|first1=Kenneth|title=Guess Where Disney Plans To Open 40 Stores?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/01/18/disney-store-china-bound/#5c5ea87b569f|access-date=December 14, 2016|work=Forbes|date=January 18, 2012}}</ref> On October 25, 2013, Disney announced that the [[#China flagship|first Disney Store]] in [[Shanghai]], China would open in 2015.<ref name=thr>{{cite news|title=World's Largest Disney Store Set For Shanghai|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/worlds-largest-disney-store-set-650846|access-date=25 October 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref> On May 20, 2015, this Chinese flagship Disney Store opened.<ref name=lat3>{{cite news|last1=Forgione|first1=Mary|title=Nine things you need to know about the world's biggest Disney Store|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-disney-store-china-20150521-htmlstory.html|access-date=December 13, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 22, 2015}}</ref>

On September 21, 2012, Disney announced a partnership with [[JCPenney]] (JCP) to open a Disney department with {{convert|750|to|1100|sqft}} in about 520 Penney locations.<ref name=wwd>{{cite news|title=Disney Shops Headed for J.C. Penney|url=http://www.wwd.com/retail-news/department-stores/disney-shops-headed-for-penneys-6305790|access-date=19 February 2013|newspaper=Women's Wear Daily|date=September 19, 2012}}</ref> JCP's online version opened on September 6 and the store within a store locations opened on October 4.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abril|first1=Danielle|title=J.C. Penney to launch Disney store within the store|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2013/10/03/jc-penney-to-launch-disney-store.html|access-date=December 14, 2016|work=Dallas Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> With the success of these Disney shops and its exclusive merchandise in 2014, Penney added 44 additional stores and add 116 more in 2015 for a total of 620. The JCP locations were also promoting the Disney live action [[Cinderella (2015 Disney film)|Cinderella film]]. This actually marked the second time Disney and JCP had team up on promoting a movie, while the first was with the animated movie.<ref name=dn>{{cite news|last1=Halkias|first1=Maria|title=J.C. Penney riding Disney's coattails again|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2015/01/26/j.c.-penney-riding-disneys-coattails-again|access-date=December 14, 2016|work=Dallas News|date=January 26, 2015|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220134929/http://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2015/01/26/j.c.-penney-riding-disneys-coattails-again|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A NY Attorney General inquiry into [[On call shift|On-call scheduling]] in 2016 led Disney Stores to indicate in December that the retailer had dropped the practice early in the year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Halzack|first1=Sarah|title=Disney Store and other retailers ditch on-call scheduling|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/12/20/disney-store-and-other-retailers-ditch-on-call-scheduling/|access-date=December 29, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> In the UK, Disney Stores Europe opened nine [[Pop-up shop]]s in October 2016 for the Christmas season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Simon|title=A whole new world for Disney fans as pop up store opens|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/pop-up-disney-store-opens-12041137|access-date=December 29, 2016|work=nechronicle|publisher=Trinity Mirror Group|date=October 18, 2016}}</ref>

Disney Stores reopened in Germany on November 9, 2017, with a single store on [[Neuhauser Straße]] in Munich where Disney Germany is headquartered.<ref name="sdz" /> The store was permanently closed in June 2020. As a promotion for its sleep shop launch in August 2018, Disney Store operated, during the month, a bedtime hotline where Mickey Mouse and friends share a short bedtime message.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frigerio |first1=Josh |title=Disney Store launches sleep hotline with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy |url=https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/events/disney-store-launches-sleep-hotline-with-mickey-minnie-donald-daisy-and-goofy |access-date=August 14, 2018 |work=KNXV |date=August 9, 2018}}</ref> In mid-November 2018, the Disney Stores USA headquarters moved out of the [[Royal Laundry Complex]] in Pasadena to [[Grand Central Airport (California)|Grand Central Creative Campus]], [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement of Information: Disney Stores USA, LLC |url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=200809410208-23916211 |website=Business Search |publisher=California Secretary of State |date=March 23, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statement of Information: Disney Stores USA, LLC |url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=200809410208-25171008 |website=Business Search |publisher=California Secretary of State |date=November 19, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925045612/https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=200809410208-25171008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

With the announced closing of the only store in West Virginia in the [[Huntington Mall]] on May 26, 2019, family rallied at the store in an organized "cash-mob" event to save the store. However, ''The Herald-Dispatch'' reported that the mall rent was not the issue, but that the chain was systematically closing its stores.<ref>{{cite news |title=Families rally to keep Disney Store open |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/families-rally-to-keep-disney-store-open/article_41ffe29b-9fce-5ba7-9e3e-c3bff8a45197.html |access-date=June 11, 2019 |newspaper=The Herald-Dispatch |date=May 27, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

At the [[D23 Expo]] in August 2019, Disney announced that it would be partnering with Target to open 25 "shop-within-shops" inside of Targets on October 4.<ref name="ust1">{{cite news |last1=Tyko |first1=Kelly |title=Disney and Target announce 25 Disney shops coming to Target stores in October, new website |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/25/target-and-disney-target-location-near-you-may-get-disney-store/2099498001/ |access-date=October 7, 2019 |work=USA Today |date=August 25, 2019}}</ref>

===Closure===

In early March 2021, Disney announced that it would close at least 155 Disney Store locations in North America (USA and Canada) and focus more on its [[e-commerce]] operations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Watson|first=R. T.|date=2021-03-03|title=Disney Closing at Least 60 Bricks-and-Mortar Stores in North America|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-closing-at-least-60-brick-and-mortar-stores-in-north-america-11614815085|access-date=2021-03-04|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Snider|first=Mike|title=Disney to close at least 60 Disney Stores in US and Canada, as shopping shifts to online|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/03/03/disney-store-closing-60-north-american-locations-focus-shopdisney/6912225002/|access-date=2021-03-04|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The list of USA anc Canada locations closings.|date=10 March 2021 |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/03/09/disney-releases-which-disney-stores-will-be-closing-around-the-united-states-and-canada/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311010829/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/03/09/disney-releases-which-disney-stores-will-be-closing-around-the-united-states-and-canada/ |archive-date=2021-03-11 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=5 more locations to close on or before April 15.|date=30 March 2021 |url=https://diskingdom.com/2021/03/30/5-more-closures-announced-disney-store-locations-shutting-in-ga-mn-nj-ms-tx/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331002555/http://diskingdom.com/2021/03/30/5-more-closures-announced-disney-store-locations-shutting-in-ga-mn-nj-ms-tx/ |archive-date=2021-03-31 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Seven more closures: Disney Store closing last stores in three states|date=24 April 2021 |url=https://diskingdom.com/2021/04/24/seven-more-closures-disney-store-exiting-three-states/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425012950/http://diskingdom.com/2021/04/24/seven-more-closures-disney-store-exiting-three-states/ |archive-date=2021-04-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The final 60 Disney Store closures|date=20 May 2021 |url=https://diskingdom.com/2021/05/20/disney-store-next-11-closures-are-stores-in-ca-nj-ny-ut-leaving-ky-pr/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521020809/http://diskingdom.com/2021/05/20/disney-store-next-11-closures-are-stores-in-ca-nj-ny-ut-leaving-ky-pr/ |archive-date=2021-05-21 }}</ref> On May 5, 2021, Disney announced that it would close all the Disney Store locations in Europe (with the exception of a handful of stores such as the flagship store at Disney Village in [[Disneyland Paris]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=DLPReport on the closure of European Disney Stores.|url=https://twitter.com/DLPReport/status/1389957684934422530/photo/1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505193350/https://twitter.com/DLPReport/status/1389957684934422530/photo/1 |archive-date=2021-05-05 }}</ref> On June 18, it was announced that the original Glendale Galleria location would close on July 14, 2021 (among other 16 stores).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The original Glendale Disney Store will be closing soon.|date=18 June 2021 |url=http://diskingdom.com/2021/06/18/first-ever-disney-store-announced-as-one-of-the-16-to-close-permanently-july-14-ca-co-de-fl-hi-nj-nv-ny-oh-tx-and-british-columbia/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619074056/https://diskingdom.com/2021/06/18/first-ever-disney-store-announced-as-one-of-the-16-to-close-permanently-july-14-ca-co-de-fl-hi-nj-nv-ny-oh-tx-and-british-columbia/ |archive-date=2021-06-19 }}</ref> On July 23, it was announced that most Canadian stores (with the exception of [[Toronto Eaton Centre]], [[Vaughan Mills]], and [[Scarborough Town Center]]) would be closing on or before August 18, 2021. The final 1990s "pink and green" location at Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge, Illinois was also announced to be part of these closures. On August 23, it was announced that 59 stores would close on or before September 15, leaving only twenty-two stores remaining in the United States. It was also announced that the last three Canadian stores would close as well.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Most Canadian Disney Stores are closing except a few in Toronto area.|date=23 July 2021 |url=https://diskingdom.com/2021/07/23/14-more-disney-stores-to-close-alberta-ontario-california-ohio-illinois-manitoba/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723213403/https://diskingdom.com/2021/07/23/14-more-disney-stores-to-close-alberta-ontario-california-ohio-illinois-manitoba/ |archive-date=2021-07-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=All remaining Disney Stores to close|date=23 August 2021 |url=https://chipandco.com/disney-store-closing-57-more-stores-only-25-will-remain-after-sept-15th-442462/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823175011/https://chipandco.com/disney-store-closing-57-more-stores-only-25-will-remain-after-sept-15th-442462/ |archive-date=2021-08-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://disneyinsideblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/23/saying-goodbye-to-the-disney-store/|title = Saying Goodbye to the Disney Store|date = 23 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=More closures to come.|date=4 September 2021 |url=http://diskingdom.com/2021/09/04/california-virginia-stores-added-to-closing-list-down-to-23/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904185331/https://diskingdom.com/2021/09/04/california-virginia-stores-added-to-closing-list-down-to-23/ |archive-date=2021-09-04 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Now, It's time to say Goodbye, Disney Store!|date=13 September 2021|url=https://www.wdwinfo.com/history/see-ya-real-soon-disney-store/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914112041/https://www.wdwinfo.com/history/see-ya-real-soon-disney-store/ |archive-date=2021-09-14 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=R.I.P. Disney Store (1987-2021)|date=13 September 2021 |url=https://www.gawker.com/news/disney-store-dead-at-34|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914115547/https://www.gawker.com/news/disney-store-dead-at-34 |archive-date=2021-09-14 }}</ref> On December 24, it was announced that the Disney Store located in Bellevue, Washington would close on January 19, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Disney Store is leaving Bellevue Square|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CX896d_rGuQ/}}</ref>

On April 12, 2025, it was announced that the flagship Disney Store at Disney Village in Disneyland Paris would permanently close in fall 2025, being replaced by a new store named Disney Wonders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |date=2025-04-12 |title=Disneyland Paris Releases Construction Updates: Disney Adventure World and More |url=https://disneyparksblog.com/dlp/disneyland-paris-releases-construction-updates-disney-adventure-world-and-more/?CMP=SOC-DPFY25Q1wo0410250067F |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Lawsuit===
In July 2021, UBS Realty sued Disney for back rent at [[The Shops at Montebello]] location in [[Montebello, California]], in the amount of $275,000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UBS Realty sues The Walt Disney Company for $275,000 for back rent.|date=26 July 2021|url=https://therealdeal.com/la/2021/07/26/mall-vs-the-mouse-ubs-sues-disney-store-for-275k-in-back-rent/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726174433/https://therealdeal.com/la/2021/07/26/mall-vs-the-mouse-ubs-sues-disney-store-for-275k-in-back-rent/ |archive-date=2021-07-26 }}</ref>