Disney to sell stores following worldwide losses

The Walt Disney Company aims to sell its stores against the background of challenging trading conditions.

There are 387 US stores and a total of 548 worldwide. Despite an improved performance in the UK, where there are 61 shops, The Disney Store last year made losses worldwide of approximately£30.4 million on sales of£639.2 million.

Disney intends to replicate its strategy in Japan, where the retail chain was licensed to a third party. Disney has already shut some shops internationally and intends to accelerate the closures.

Disney Store president Peter Whitford has resigned and Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products, will run the business on an interim basis.