The United Kingdom is set to experience Disney theme park merchandise like never before.
The story of Disney Stores began on March 28, 1987, at California’s Glendale Galleria. That first location transformed retail into an extension of Disney storytelling, with interactive “magic mirrors” and merchandise inspired by films, television, and theme park attractions. By the mid-1990s, Disney Stores had become familiar sights in malls across the United States, Canada, and beyond, offering fans a way to take Disney magic home.
Ownership changes came in the early 2000s. In 2004, Disney sold its North American stores to The Children’s Place, and after underwhelming performance, the company repurchased the chain in 2008. Two years later, the “Imagination Park” redesign reimagined the shopping experience with interactive spaces, expansive video walls, and play areas for children.
As shopping habits evolved, Disney adapted. In 2021, most standalone stores in North America and Europe closed, with the brand shifting focus to shopDisney and retail partnerships, such as “shop-in-shop” experiences at Target. By 2024, Disney returned to the classic Disney Store name, continuing its legacy while looking ahead.
Now, Disney has announced a major new chapter for the Disney Store brand in the UK. In partnership with Selfridges, Disney has launched a Disney Store destination inside Selfridges London as part of the “A Most Magical Christmas” initiative. Opening on September 22, 2025, the store offers curated merchandise from Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disney Resort, and Tokyo Disney Resort. Exclusive pins, plush toys, and seasonal items are all part of a collection that Disney says has “never been offered” outside the parks.
“Disney Store has just launched a retail destination inside Selfridges London, featuring global Disney Parks merchandise that has never been offered beyond the parks,” Disney Parks Blog reported. “Marking an unprecedented moment for Disney Parks merchandise, Disney and Selfridges will bring the magic of Disney Parks straight to Selfridges London Oxford Street store.”
This collaboration will expand to Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre on September 29, 2025, and to Selfridges Manchester Exchange and Selfridges Birmingham Bullring on October 13, 2025.
Starting November 6, 2025, Selfridges locations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham will host “A Most Magical Christmas,” featuring more than 60 brand collaborations, 18 themed windows, a striking in-store façade, and two special editions of the iconic Selfridges yellow bag. Guests visiting London can preview the celebration beginning September 22, including a Harry Lambert for Zara x Disney residency in The Corner Shop, Selfridges’ signature pop-up space.
This partnership also reconnects with history. In the 1960s and 1970s, Disney characters welcomed guests at Selfridges entrances, making the modern collaboration a bridge between past and present. While standalone Disney Stores remain largely in flagship locations such as Times Square and Oxford Street, the brand continues to thrive through e-commerce and in-park retail.
With “A Most Magical Christmas,” Disney is expanding where its stories are shared, leaving fans eager for announcements about featured characters and films this holiday season.
