60 more Disney Stores closing, of 200 total

Last summer, as COVID restrictions were relaxed across the United States, Disney Stores began dropping like flies. Some 25 locations in the country closed permanently, as well as another five worldwide. The end continues.

Today, March 3, Disney announced that they would “significantly reduce” the number of locations in the chain, “in a move toward e-commerce.”

“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.”

The company suggests shopDisney will be “personalized” over the next year, and integrated into their apps and social media.

Disney will remain flexible in its approach and continue to evolve its retail strategy to best meet the needs of consumers when and where they want. Guests will continue to have access to Disney shopping experiences in 600+ Disney Parks stores, shop-in-shops, lifestyle and outlet locations, as well as third party retailers around the world.

In the last year, 30 stores have closed. Along with 25 in the United States, there were two in Britain, one in Scotland, one in North Ireland, and one in Germany.

Many of the American stores that closed were still sporting designs from the 1980s and 1990s. Think “pink and green” or “pipe rails.” While many fans love the classic look, it was a hint that the store was under-performing.

Who’ll close this time? It’s impossible to say, but if you local store still sports the red mouse head entrance from when the chain was owned by The Children’s Place, watch out, they’re probably next on the list. Imagination Park

List of already closed stores