The Walt Disney Company has just announced a major new expansion for the Disney Store brand.Credit: DisneyA Beloved Disney LegacyThe Disney Store first opened its doors on March 28, 1987, at the Glendale Galleria in California, marking Disney’s bold move into dedicated retail outside of its theme parks. The concept quickly grew in popularity, and throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Disney Stores expanded across the United States, Canada, and eventually to international markets.Guests were drawn to the immersive designs and themed displays that turned shopping into a distinctly Disney experience, with elements like the famous “magic mirror,” animated features, and merchandise tied directly to films, television shows, and park attractions. By the mid-1990s, the chain had become a staple of mall culture and a leader in branded retail, offering fans a taste of Disney magic beyond the parks.Credit: DisneyThe early 2000s saw a shift in ownership when Disney sold the North American chain to The Children’s Place in 2004. However, quality and performance dipped during this period, leading Disney to repurchase the stores in 2008 and reimagine the brand’s retail presence. In 2010, the company unveiled its “Imagination Park” redesign, a fresh approach that incorporated interactive spaces, large video screens, and kid-friendly areas designed to bring Disney stories to life in a more dynamic way.As retail trends evolved and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online shopping, Disney announced in 2021 that most standalone Disney Stores in North America and Europe would close, moving the focus toward the shopDisney online platform and retail partnerships. Only last year, the Mouse House moved away from the shopDisney name and replaced it with the more iconic Disney Store branding.Credit: Inside the MagicOne of the most notable collaborations has been with Target, which introduced “Disney shop-in-shop” sections inside select stores, keeping the brand accessible to families nationwide. Today, while standalone Disney Stores are far less common—limited mostly to flagship locations like New York’s Times Square or London’s Oxford Street—the Disney Store legacy lives on through e-commerce and in-park experiences, continuing to bring beloved characters and storytelling into the retail space.Now, that retail space is about to grow even more.Credit: DisneyDisney Announces Historic Expansion ProjectDisney Parks Blog has shared a new retail experience coming to Selfridges in the United Kingdom and across its online presence.“Starting November 6, 2025, a limited-time and first of its kind Disney celebration will be taking place across Selfridges London, Manchester, and Birmingham stores alongside globally on Selfridges.com which will feature more than 60 brand collaborations, 18 decorated Disney windows, an unmissable in-store façade, and two iterations of the iconic Selfridges yellow bag,” Disney Parks Blog shared this week.Credit: DisneyWhile there is no confirmation about what movies and characters will be the focus of this collaboration–titled “A Most Magical Christmas”–Disney fans won’t have long to wait to find out.“Can’t wait until November 6? Starting September 22, 2025 visitors to Selfridges London will have access to a dedicated Disney Store destination and Harry Lambert for Zara x Disney residency in The Corner Shop, Selfridges very-own pop-up space,” the blog post added.This is not the first time that Disney and Selfridges have collaborated. In the 1960s and 1970s, Disney characters adorned the entrances to Selfridges, meaning this 2025 partnership is a magical kind of homecoming.How do you feel about this new Disney Store activation? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below! The post Disney Announce Historic Disney Store Expansion After Widespread Shutdown appeared first on Inside the Magic.