Disney to Build Largest Store Ever in Shanghai

Oct. 25, 2013— -- It's not such a small world, after all.

The Walt Disney Co., the parent company of ABC News, will build its largest store on the planet in the Lujiazui district of Shanghai, the company announced Friday. The 53,000-square-foot retail destination will be the first to open in China and the only store in the world to include an outdoor plaza with Disney-themed landscaping.

"We are enormously proud to be building Disney's largest store in the world in China," said Stanley Cheung, executive vice president and managing director at the Walt Disney Co., Greater China. "Disney has combined the retail concept with storytelling, fun and innovation, and will provide families with a uniquely immersive entertainment destination featuring our best-loved stories and characters."

Targeted to open in early 2015, the store will offer the largest collection of Disney products by local and international designers, said Cheung, including favorite characters from across Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories and concepts.

The opening of the store is also notable for its location in Lujiazui, a financial hub of the Asian city.

"The addition of the store, the innovative design, and product and entertainment offerings will provide the Lujiazui area with a family-friendly destination focus point and will contribute to Shanghai's reputation and leadership as a family, business, cultural, entertainment and tourism destination," said Yang Xiao Ming, general manager of Shanghai Lujiazui (Group) Company Ltd., a developer of the district.

With the expansion of a plaza, the Disney Store Shanghai plans to host outdoor events and entertainment, the company announced. It will also provide updates on the progress of Shanghai Disney Resort, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2015.