Disney Store News Roundup: US, UK, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Mexico
Some locations of Disney Store in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Sweden are closing in the next few weeks, while Denmark’s only store has until the end of the summer. Meanwhile, Mexico has 35 new store-in-store locations, with more to come. Here’s a round-up of all The Disney Store news that’s broken over the last few weeks.
United States: Wednesday last day for 13 stores
This Wednesday is the last day for 13 more stores in the United States. As DisKingdom previously reported, these include locations in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
These are the final locations in three states: Colorado, Delaware, and Hawaii. At least two of the stores are landmarks in The Disney Store history: California’s Glendale Galleria was the very first mall to host the brand, while Hawaii’s Ala Moana Centre was their first location outside of the continental United States.
Since early June, Disney Store has allowed fully vaccinated guests to visit without a mask, in the United States, unless required by local law.
Last August, a family with an autistic child was denied entry into the Disney Store at Whitehall, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley Mall, after the child refused to wear a mask. The mother filed a lawsuit in response. This June, a judge ruled that the case can proceed.
United Kingdom: from “consultation” to closed in five days
Closings in Britain have been coming with little notice. On June 24, industry publication ToyNews confirmed the Disney Store was in “consultation with an initial group of Stores in the UK, including our Leicester Store.” Just five days later, June 29, the pop-up shop at Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre closed.
According to the Leicester Mercury, it was opened in Christmas season of 2017, and meant to operate for just three months. The previous location in Highcross had been open for 20 years.
The location at Centre:MK in Milton Keynes is scheduled to close on Friday, July 16, according to MKfm 106.3. Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester will close on Saturday, July 17, according to Cheshire Live.
Various websites have reported on rumours that the only locations to remain open by September will be London’s Oxford Street and Belfast. As has been the case throughout, Disney has refused to comment, beyond their March press release.
Canada: Ontario reopens, as BC stores close
All non-essential businesses in the Canadian province of Ontario were shuttered back in November 20, including malls. They were finally allowed to reopen on June 30, as the province entered Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen plan.
In recent days, the Ottawa and Hamilton locations of the Disney Store both listed part time sale associate positions. The Ottawa store is still accepting applications, having only received 11 applicants through Linkedin in a week, so far.
This all comes as three locations in British Columbia prepare to close “on or before” July 14.
Sweden: Only store to close
When Disney Store opened at the Mall of Scandinavia in the end of 2015, it was seen as the start of a larger expansion into Europe’s Nordic companies.
Swedish real estate publication Fastighetsvärlden reports that the location will close July 31.
Denmark: Only store to close this summer
Denmark’s only Disney store is located a short walk away from Amagertorv, one of the most prominent squares in Copenhagen.
The Strøget pedestrian zone Disney Store will close by the end of the summer, according to Fastighetsvärlden.
Mexico: Liverpool stores to get Disney sections
As reported recently on DisKingdom, 35 Disney-branded sections have opened in the Mexican Liverpool department store chain. They carry a mix of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel merchandise.
The department store intends to open a total of 60 locations.