[lopo]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.
(NasdaqNM:PLCE - News) on Thursday said it was in talks with Walt
Disney Co (NYSE:DIS - News) to buy the Disney Store chain.

The Secaucus, New Jersey-based retailer said it was in talks to
acquire and operate the Disney Store retail chain in the United
States and Canada under a long-term license arrangement, though no
formal deal or letter of intent has been reached.
Children's Place, which also reported a 9 percent rise in May same-
store sales on Thursday, is the first company to publicly confirm
negotiations with Disney about its money-losing retail operation
since the entertainment conglomerate put the unit up for sale a year
ago.

A potential transaction would "bring together The Children's Place's
retail expertise with the unique 'Disney' brand and creative
engine," Children's Place said in a statement.

"For Disney it makes a lot of sense. They get out of the hassle of
managing real estate and retail stores and will just continue with a
high-margin revenue stream," said Kathleen Heaney, a retail analyst
with Maxim Group. The Disney stores "deliver higher revenue per
store than Children's Place."

A Disney spokesman was not immediately available for comment. The
company had originally said it would announce a buyer for the chain
by May.

The 335-store chain has been a drag on Disney's earnings in recent
quarters. Analysts, who estimate the stores lose as much as $50
million a year, said the stores have suffered because Disney sold
hundreds of licenses for its famed characters, flooding the market
with merchandise that other retailers will often sell at a cheaper
price than the company's own stores.

Disney has been running separate auctions for its North American and
European stores. The Times of London recently reported that talks
for the European stores, which are profitable, recently broke down
with the lone bidder for the unit.

Disney's Fifth Avenue store in midtown Manhattan and its stores at
the Disney theme parks and on its studio lot in Burbank, California,
are excluded from the auction.

For the four week period ended May 29, Children's Place posted total
sales of $57.2 million, up 18 percent. Total sales for the 17-week
period ended on the same date rose 23 percent to $283 million, while
comparable store sales rose 14 percent.

The company said it remains comfortable with its inventory position.

[tragic312]

oh my! my mom told me about this news today. will this have any effect on the disney company if the children's place buys the disney stores? what will this do for business for both places? what is happening to disney itself?

[Ghostrider002]

I doubt anything major will come out of this..Maybe a few minor changes...thats about it.

[Disney6]

The managers of the stores got e-mails stating that the Children's Place looks like they will go ahead with their plans to buy the stores. They will keep the same format and not much will change in the operations. I just hope the CM'S still get their free tix, 50% rooms and other perks. That is why the wife works there.

[tiggerfan74]

Our Disney Store in our mall closed about 2 months ago, and we din't even know it was happening. One I went to the mall and it was just gone. I was very saddened by this. What is the latest on this situation?

[anaheimboy]

No, this cant happen . I cant believe Disney would possibly selltheir stores. Like a few others said, I hope nothing major comes out of this. If some one does buy out the store chains they will be added to my most hated list.

[MickeyRon]

Originally Posted by anaheimboy15

No, this cant happen . I cant believe Disney would possibly selltheir stores. Like a few others said, I hope nothing major comes out of this. If some one does buy out the store chains they will be added to my most hated list.

Hey this may not be a bad thing... it could be a good thing if they bring back some the adults clothes and continue with the same great themeing... You know Disney is not just going to hand over the keys and let them have their way with the Disney Name!

[anaheimboy]

Yea, thats true. And I was just reading some things why its good that this might be happening and now that I had read what I read I think it may be a good thing. :-)

[Gloey]

I was told this a couple of weeks ago when I called the DS about an item I saw at the Disney store web site. They told me they don't carry the same things because they were owned by the Children's Place. Then I asked if they would take the Children's Place coupons and they said no. Bummer. I really want to get the life size Ariel doll but I can't see spending 129 on it. :(

[lopo]

Gloey, is the life-size Ariel doll only sold at the brick and mortar Disney Stores? I checked the online site and didn't see it. If it is a new item, perhaps it will be available eventually online, too.

And, TDS often has discounts and free shipping offers available for online purchases, so you may be able to purchase one of the dolls at a bargain price.

[floridaorange19]

this is poopy

[lopo]

Clarification: This is an old thread. TDS were sold a couple of years ago to The Children's Place.

I was told that the only "Disney" store outside of those located on Disney properties still owned by Disney is TDS in New York City. All others are already owned by TCP and have been for over two years.

[wdwspider]

We have even gone from Disneyshopping.com to DisneyDirect.com in that time frame.

[Gloey]

Originally Posted by lopo

Gloey, is the life-size Ariel doll only sold at the brick and mortar Disney Stores? I checked the online site and didn't see it. If it is a new item, perhaps it will be available eventually online, too.

And, TDS often has discounts and free shipping offers available for online purchases, so you may be able to purchase one of the dolls at a bargain price.

As far as I can find, only in the Disney brick and mortar stores. I would really love to find it for less!

[FireAngel]

WARNING!!!! OLD THREAD!!!