Burnaby’s biggest mall is set to lose another major retailer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Disney store at Metropolis at Metrotown is set to close in the coming months as the company dramatically reduces its number of stores in North America, according to a report by Retail Insider, which said all 18 Canadian stores, including in Vancouver and Surrey, will be shuttered.
The move isn’t entirely surprising as Disney announced multiple store closures were coming in a statement on March 3.
“Today Disney announced plans to focus on its ecommerce business and significantly reduce its brick-and-mortar footprint, beginning with the closure of at least 60 stores in North America this year,” read the statement. “Over the next year Disney will focus on providing a more seamless, personalized and franchise-focused ecommerce experience through its shopDisney platform which will be complemented by greater integration with Disney Parks apps and social media platforms. This will be coupled with an assortment of new and elevated merchandise from the Company’s full range of brands, including adult apparel collections and artist collaborations, trend-forward streetwear, premium home products and collectibles.”
The statement mentioned about how more shopping has shifted to e-commerce platforms.
“While consumer behavior has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer,” said Stephanie Young, president, Consumer Products Games and Publishing. “Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on meeting consumers where they are already spending their time, such as the expansion of Disney store shop-in-shops around the world. We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected ecommerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high-quality products across all our franchises.”
Metropolis has lost multiple retailers in the past year, including the big Microsoft store, as well as Davids Tea, Frank & Oak, Pink and others.
But other retailers are starting to fill those empty spaces, with new arrivals that include Hugo Boss, Meeku, Brow Bar and Forever 21 – which is moving back in after closing its store in 2019 during bankruptcy proceedings.
