Disney opens its largest store in Shanghai
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The Walt Disney Co. has opened its first Disney Store in China, a 9,257-square-feet store in Shanghai that is the company’s largest retail store in the world.
The new store, opened May 20, comes as Disney strives to tap into China’s growing middle class. The store is in Shanghai’s Pudong district, where Disney plans to open a $5.5 billion theme park next year.
Disney said an estimated 40 million tourists visit Pudong’s Lujiazui shopping area, where the store is located.
“We couldn’t be more delighted to open our first Disney Store in China, in Shanghai,” Paul Candland, Disney’s Asia-Pacific region president, said in a statement. “Disney Store plays a critical role in how millions around the world experience our brand and allows kids, young adults and families to have a uniquely fun and immersive experience while shopping for their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars products.”
The new Shanghai store showcases a 19-foot castle at the heart of the store, featuring an hourly musical and projection show, and a Marvel-themed area with hand-sculpted statues of superheroes. Its exterior includes a landscaped plaza and Mickey Mouse-shaped roof sculpted with 8,000 LED lights visible from key tourism points such as the Pearl Tower.
Disney, which opened a theme park in Hong Kong in 2005, broke ground on its Shanghai theme park in 2011. A day before the Shanghai store opening, the company put the top on the Enchanted Storybook Castle at its Shanghai park. Disney also has a theme park in Tokyo.
The Disney Store chain is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.(NYSE: DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America, 40 locations in Japan and about 70 stores in Europe.
Questions & Answers
Q.How does Disney intend to use the new store to attract Chinese consumers?
How does Disney intend to use the new store to attract Chinese consumers?
The company aims to tap into China’s growing middle class with the new store. It provides a unique, immersive experience for families to shop for Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars products.
Q.What attractions and features can visitors expect to see inside and outside the new Shanghai store?
What attractions and features can visitors expect to see inside and outside the new Shanghai store?
Inside, there is a 19-foot castle with an hourly musical show and a Marvel-themed area with hand-sculpted statues. The exterior features a landscaped plaza and a Mickey Mouse-shaped roof with 8,000 LED lights.
Q.How many Disney Store locations are there currently worldwide, outside of this new Shanghai opening?
How many Disney Store locations are there currently worldwide, outside of this new Shanghai opening?
There are over 200 Disney Store locations in North America, 40 in Japan, and approximately 70 in Europe. These figures do not include the new Shanghai store.
Q.When did Disney first establish a theme park presence in the Asian region?
When did Disney first establish a theme park presence in the Asian region?
Disney first established a theme park in Asia by opening one in Hong Kong in 2005. They also have a theme park located in Tokyo.
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