Overview
- Josh D’Amaro is exploring a return to standalone Disney Stores, according to reports Monday from three Disney fan outlets, while the company says it has no announcement.
- D’Amaro became CEO on March 18 after running Disney Experiences, which brought in about $36 billion in 2025 and emphasizes physical, guest-facing spaces.
- Recent signals include a Disney Wonders flagship slated for summer 2026 at Disneyland Paris, a new pop-up in Perth, and strong results at Times Square and resort flagships.
- Reported concepts for a Store 2.0 include interactive mirrors, VR Imagineering kiosks, limited in-person merchandise drops, community events, MagicBand+ tie-ins, and in-store trip booking.
- Supporters argue the move could lift margins and yield richer customer data, restoring a local touchpoint that many families lost when most Disney Stores closed in 2021 in favor of Target shop-in-shops and online sales.