Disney Draws on Steve Jobs and Apple for Retail Store Makeover

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/13/disney-draws-on-steve-jobs-and-apple-for-retail-store-makeover/)

The New York Times reports (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/media/13disney.html) that The Walt Disney Company is planning a ground-up revival of its retail stores using a high-tech "Imagination Park" concept and has turned to Steve Jobs and the retail store team at Apple for assistance with the project. Jobs became a member of Disney's Board of Directors and the largest individual Disney shareholder when the company acquired Pixar (http://www.macrumors.com/2006/01/24/disney-buys-pixar-for-7-4-billion/) in early 2006.The involvement of Mr. Jobs, the Apple chief executive who joined the Disney board with the 2006 acquisition of Pixar, is particularly notable. For the first time, Mr. Jobs's fingerprints can be seen on Disney strategy, in the same way that he influenced the look and feel of Apple's own immensely popular retail chain. While Mr. Jobs did not personally toil on the Imagination Park concept, he pushed Disney to move far past a refurbishment.

"Dream bigger -- that was Steve’s message," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.Jobs reportedly provided Disney with inside information on Apple's retail store development and operations, as well as allowing Disney executive to visit the Apple campus and convincing the company to build a prototype retail store to aid in refining the customer experience.

Disney's "Imagination Park" concept apparently carries several other Apple-like aspects to it, from in-store theater areas to mobile checkout technology for sales associates. The concept has reportedly been approved by the Disney Board of Directors, and the company is currently negotiating with landlords to secure the high-profile locations necessary for the concept.

Article Link: Disney Draws on Steve Jobs and Apple for Retail Store Makeover (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/10/13/disney-draws-on-steve-jobs-and-apple-for-retail-store-makeover/)

[226896]

I'd love to see Disney stores starting to look like Apple stores... that'd be funny.

[zombitronic]

Very cool. I always thought that Disney had the power to do better than their current retail stores. Kudos to them for pulling their strings the right way.

[SkippyThorson]

Mouse Genius? Princess Bar? High brushed metal walls with woodgrain countertops to showcase their stuffed animals? Very very Disney.

[VoR]

At least it's something for managers to spend money on.

Loading up retail space with stuffed animals and keyrings is an art. With steve jobs and a few other external consultants on the case I can't wait to see the end result and to be persuaded into buying a new snow shaker.

[smileyborg]

Heck, why don't ALL retail stores just turn into Apple-store copies?

Home Depot...F-Street Bookstore...Toys-R-Us...the possibilities are endless!

[levitynyc]

Brilliant idea. I love Disney, but their stores are such ****. I don't ever go in them anymore.

They aren't organized at all and theres just stuff everywhere. I'd love to see what Steve and his crew can do to Disney stores.

[uaecasher]

now we will see disney stores made in glass lol

[tgildred]

I don't see how drawing all over Steve Jobs is going to improve Disney's retail stores.

[Bubba Satori]

Hope this doesn't mean Disney is going to start releasing only one or two movies a year.

[kymac]

i don't see the mobile checkout being able to work with a disney store.. with all the various merchandise it might get complicated.. key rings pencils, tshirts.. the checkout would need a table!

[JGowan]

I'm in a unique position to see how retail is going in the Mall arena. I design and keep up-to-date Mall Directories for about 300 malls. I was there to see Dell Kiosks die a thousand deaths (that was fun) and I have watched so many Disney Stores go out of business that I actually thought they weren't going to be doing stores anymore, just getting out of the retail biz altogether.

This news surprises me. Plus it's going to make me money. Everytime a mall comes back with "put Disney back on", cha-ching! :D

Apple, I love you! :apple:

[4miler]

I think the Mac needs a mickey mouse.

[mags631]

Hope this doesn't mean Disney is going to start releasing only one or two movies a year.

Why -- in mind, even with small children in my house, this would be a welcomed result. Quality over quantity.

[trip1ex]

I hate the Apple store except for the hands-on opportunities with Apple products.

On the other hand the Apple store is my favorite store in a mall. :D

[fifthworld]

These stores are going to be completely different than Apple stores, precisely because SJ is directly involved. Others may be just copycat, not SJ. He already convinced Disney to build a real size prototype store: awesome process! Looking forward for them.

[jav6454]

I see what Disney did there.....

[Unspoken Demise]

Should be cool to see what comes of this.

[SAN66]

All I can picture is a pack of ravenous children being let into an apple like store and destroying the place.

[notjustjay]

I can't wait to make an appointment at the Goofy Bar.


... Or was that at the Microsoft Store?

[BOSS10L]

They could start with more reasonable pricing. Every time we went into a Disney store, it felt like we were at a gift shop in one of their theme parks. If I want to get gouged, let me travel to FL or CA for it.

4 more days until the family heads to FL to get gouged. :D

[rdowns]

Excuse me sir, one of my mouse ears is ripped.

Make an appointment at the Fairy Bar kid. :D

[Aldaris]

Brushed Stainless with a white glowing "Disney D" or Mickey Outline!

Now lets see what Steve can do to help out California Adventures...

[BJMRamage]

the Disney Store are busy but that lead to teh charm of going in them, like at a theme park. there was so much to see and pick up.

However, in the last few years going into one (or walking by) i felt a dread as there was just so much i didn't want to really be bothered by it. Though i can see the appeal for children wanting to go in.

[hagjohn]

Great... something else to take Apple away from its core business.

[bogg]

Wirelessly posted (HTC_Touch_Pro_T7272 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11))

hagjohn...what does this have to do with apple other than they asking apple store designers about advice? do you really think that these designers design computers or program apps in their spare time?

[slu]

I hate to be this guy, but this is Page 2 material, at best.

[Deefuzz]

Sounds fantastic!

I love Disney and I love Apple. I can't wait to see how this store revamp looks because I am not really crazy about the current Disney store setup.

[zorinlynx]

As a long-time fan of Disney (though some of their more recent stuff leaves much to be desired), I know exactly what's wrong with the Disney stores.

The quality of the product has gone way down hill.

I remember in the early 90s, you'd find lots of quality product at the stores. Even simple things like keychains were well made, artistic, and interesting. There was stuff for all ages, not just the under 10 crowd. Clothing was a lot more tasteful. The horrific invasion of pink hadn't started. (I swear, some Disney stores today look like a can of pink paint exploded in them. Don't they realize half the kids are boys?)

I remember when there were animations cels and other genuine collectibles for sale at Disney Stores. Now you're hard pressed to find anything but kiddie junk there. I've seen beautifully themed Disney Stores remodelled into horrific color-clashing garbage.

If Disney wants to fix their stores, they need to bring back the quality products that made them a special place 15 years ago. They need to hire artists to design the stores, not 4-year olds. I'm all for Disney making a comeback; they seem to be on their way but still have a long way to go to return to the glory of the early 90s.

[ShiftyPig]

Brushed Stainless with a white glowing "Disney D" or Mickey Outline!

Now lets see what Steve can do to help out California Adventures...

The Pixar-related rides are about all that place has going for it.

[blahblah100]

They could start with more reasonable pricing. Every time we went into a Disney store, it felt like we were at a gift shop in one of their theme parks. If I want to get gouged, let me travel to FL or CA for it.

4 more days until the family heads to FL to get gouged. :D

If it's pricing, they are not going to get help from $t€v€ Jobs. That's laughable.

Mickey Mouse stuffed animal: $1499 ($1399 with EDU discount!)

[Brien]

...
I remember when there were animations cels and other genuine collectibles for sale at Disney Stores. Now you're hard pressed to find anything but kiddie junk there. I've seen beautifully themed Disney Stores remodelled into horrific color-clashing garbage.

I know! I recall the old design that had the film ribbons and shelving with models of the Disney characters, and it was lovely. About 3 years ago, the last one in the area closed for 'refurbishment' and when it reopened it adopted the sterile look of all the other stores, with a giant Mickey silhouette entrance, but otherwise bland interior.

And they just threw the old stuff away! If I'd been in charge of that store I'd have fought tooth and nail against a remodel.

[The Samurai]

Retail success is linked very closely to store design and customer experience management. Apple have done a great job in this area.

[freeny]

i don't see the mobile checkout being able to work with a disney store.. with all the various merchandise it might get complicated.. key rings pencils, tshirts.. the checkout would need a table!

Merchandise + kids + long lines = nightmare for parents ;)
mobile checkout cant get here soon enough!

[ChiAppleGuy]

I worked for Disney Retail at the height of their popularity. Remember Plush Mountain, the collectables and selling theme park tickets? The fall of Disney retail happened when Eisner decided to sell off the mall stores to KB Toys. Disney used to have their stores as a showcase of EVERYTHING. We used synergy to the max on the movies, theme parks, collectables, clothing. It was mean to give the entire Disney experience to those locally. It was a great PR arm for the theme parks. You think Apple fans are fanatical with lining up for store openings, Disney fans are almost the exact same way.

I think Disney is very smart by having Jobs as a consultant to freshen up the hunk of crap they bought back from KB. Apple Stores were developed because Apple didn't like how their products were being presented. CompUSA's store within in the store was a failed attempt to being things up to par. Finally, Apple decided that they needed to showcase their products in a controlled and top of the line showcase. People thought the concept would fail. It very well could have if it wasn't not for the teams brought in that worked for GAP Retail. Same clean lines. The Apple store is not unique in its design, its a refinement of what profitable retail is. Disney is now borrowing on the expert advice of the imagination of Jobs. Disney needs that now.

The past 12 years have been a black void of creativity at Disney. Its nice to see the gutting Eisner did is slowly coming back .

[Bubba Satori]

Great... something else to take Apple away from its core business.

iPods and iPhones ? Toys and children's movies fits right in. When Apple announces a LEGO partnership, computers will only be a fond memory. :mad:

[Gasu E.]

The Jobsification of Disney has begun. I am already planning my 2020 vacation around the grand re-opening of "JobsWorld" in Orlando. iPcot, InsanelyGreatLand, PersonalComputerPioneerLand*, Infinite Loop USA, Clarus the Dogcow's Funtown... my only fear is that the lines at the Reality Distortion Ride will be "insanely long."



*featuring the "Hall of Developers" with the talking animatronic Steve Wozniak!

[Porco]

That's nice.

Now could Apple take a hint from Disney and support Blu-ray in OS X properly please? It's embarrassing that Steve Jobs is on the board of Disney and releasing movies on a format that Windows can play fine, but his own company's OS can't.

[blahblah100]

Retail success is linked very closely to store design and customer experience management. Apple have done a great job in this area.

I like the Apple store but I think the experience works for Apple. This doesn't mean that it will work for Disney.

My only complaint with the Apple store is their employees. Their attitude sucks, especially for being retail store employees making $12-15 bucks an hour. Also, from my experience, they are not always knowledgeable when asking questions with any sort of depth, and always resort back to the script. If I'm asking about Exchange integration, I likely know that the iPhone can play music.

[jayducharme]

The Pixar-related rides are about all that place has going for it.

This would be a great opportunity for the Disney stores to bring in some quality Pixar collectibles. It seemed like the old Disney stores had Buzz Lightyear figures you could get a WalMart, but little else.

[twoodcc]

hey why not use Jobs? i would if i was at disney

[Bonte]

Why -- in mind, even with small children in my house, this would be a welcomed result. Quality over quantity.

i bet you he was being sarcastic, Bolt was the best animated picture in a long while but only with the help of some Pixar guys.

[M!M!C]

I applaud Disney for looking towards Apple for technology and design. I just hope that Disney really pushes Apple, and I mean really pushes Apple to go far and beyond current thinking. This is when Apple really shines. :D

[velocityg4]

This is the store front that came to mind for me.

198692

Hope this doesn't mean Disney is going to start releasing only one or two movies a year.

It would be better if they moved to one movie every few years and no more sequels. They used to be well made.

Perhaps even another hand drawn film. The CGI was neat when it was a novelty. But it has been over used.

Sure a movie like Walle is a great use of CGI. But, could you imagine a 3D remake of Sleeping Beauty or Dumbo.:eek:

[sanPietro98]

Brilliant idea. I love Disney, but their stores are such ****. I don't ever go in them anymore.

They aren't organized at all and theres just stuff everywhere. I'd love to see what Steve and his crew can do to Disney stores.

I believe I read somewhere that "The Children's Place" chain is currently running the Disney stores and that Disney regains control over their retail outlets very soon. This must be why the sudden push to revamp their image.

[sanPietro98]

The Jobsification of Disney has begun. I am already planning my 2020 vacation around the grand re-opening of "JobsWorld" in Orlando. iPcot, InsanelyGreatLand, PersonalComputerPioneerLand*, Infinite Loop USA, Clarus the Dogcow's Funtown... my only fear is that the lines at the Reality Distortion Ride will be "insanely long."



*featuring the "Hall of Developers" with the talking animatronic Steve Wozniak!

Brilliant post.

[mshepp]

They have also updated their online store (well in the UK atleast) today and its a nice improvment.

[MrBean]

Now lets see what Steve can do to help out California Adventures...

You haven't been there lately have you? California Adventures is doing just fine with huge revamping going on.

[Minimoose 360]

Disney has retail stores? XD

Mild sarcasm. I know they do, but all the ones I remember went out of business years ago. Maybe Apple can save them, and then come out with Disney themed MouseBook Pro!

[blackpond]

The once ruling power in all things imagination is asking a computer company how to build an imaginative store??... :rolleyes: Where are the Disney Imagineers? On a smoke break?

[celtikmind]

I don't see what Disney's stores would benefit from the overly sterile and modernistic* look that applies to Apple Retail Stores? I'm just imagining bored kids with sad faces... :confused:

*Especially since most design fields consider themselves to be post-modernistic... :rolleyes:

[RazHyena]

This article can mean only one thing:

New iMacs with Mickey Mouse ears!!

[flottenheimer]

Looking forward to sitting down on a bar stool asking questions at the Gyro Gearloose Bar.

[celtikmind]

This article can mean only one thing:

New iMacs with Mickey Mouse ears!!

It's the Mickey Mighty Mouse and the iMac! :D

[redkamel]

As basically one of the top two or three recognizable brands in the worlds (if not THE most recognizable) and with an outstanding history, a proper Disney store could be very well done. I am glad someone with vision and talent is actually getting involved. I doubt the stores will look anything like apple stores, and will hopefully be oriented to adults AND kids.

I hope they bring back their good items (like collectables, art pieces, and memoriabilia) as well as the hard to find stuff (like movie soundtracks and posters) along with the usual kid stuff. And please, get someone to design some clothes one can actually wear in public, like the employees get.

And my only complaint (because I can't resist) about the apple stores, is the people who are there. It used to be I could walk into an apple store and get someone knowledgable pretty quick. Now the place is full of old people, busy professionals, and "cool" people all with some problem they didn't even bother googling. And all the employees are kids and are trained to explain iphones and ipods, not understand that I have an actual OS malfunction (or whatever). It drives me nuts that I have to wait two days for a "Genius" appointment becuase all the people in front of me "accidentally deleted their photos" or their "playlists are gone".

[iphones4evry1]

If Disney actually wants to make this work, they will need to start selling iPhones, iPods, and Macs. :apple:

[blybug]

It drives me nuts that I have to wait two days for a "Genius" appointment becuase all the people in front of me "accidentally deleted their photos" or their "playlists are gone".

tru dat

[ThunderRobot]

That's nice.

Now could Apple take a hint from Disney and support Blu-ray in OS X properly please? It's embarrassing that Steve Jobs is on the board of Disney and releasing movies on a format that Windows can play fine, but his own company's OS can't.

Disney will go back to DVD only releases having realised that the Blu-ray licence is just a big bag of hurt.

[AidenShaw]

Disney will go back to DVD only releases having realised that the Blu-ray licence is just a big bag of hurt.

</sarcasm> tags obviously unnecessary... ;)


http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20081010235709_Disney_Expects_Blu_Ray_Sales_to_Surpass_DVD_in_Two_Years.html

Disney Expects Blu-Ray Sales to Surpass DVD in Two Years.

[10/10/2008 11:56 PM]
by Anton Shilov


The Walt Disney Company said that even despite of the fact that sales of Blu-ray discs (BDs) represent only a fraction among sales of movies, the new-generation high-definition media will overtake conventional DVDs in just two years from now.

“Consumers will adopt the new technology much sooner than we think. It's right on the verge of becoming really big in the U.S., where in two years Blu-ray will eclipse DVDs,” said David Jessen, Disney vice-president of Blu-ray and DVD creative production, in an interview with the Toronto Star news-paper.