China's flagship Disney store opens to large crowds despite higher prices
Hong Kong and Japanese stores may be cheaper, but hundreds still queue up for opening of outlet in Shanghai
Walt Disney's flagship store in Shanghai was off to a frenetic start yesterday as hundreds of mainland consumers poured into the outlet to snap up their long-coveted toys and clothes.
The first Disney store on the mainland, the world's largest of its kind, opened its doors at 1.15pm, but latecomers had to spend a few hours queueing outside the entrance.
"We come today for limited-edition Disney products because they are worth buying," said Chen Long, a 21-year-old Shanghai resident.
"I don't mind a long wait; I'm just afraid the items will be sold out by the time I get in."
The store in Lujiazui financial district can accommodate 300 shoppers with its 860 square metres of indoor retail space where more than 2,000 products are available for sale.
In the afternoon, at least 500 people were lined up outside the main gate despite prices of the products in Shanghai being more expensive than those in Disney shops in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
A security guard said several customers arrived at the store at 4am, largely beating company officials' expectations even though they had foreseen a keen interest from mainlanders in Mickey Mouse products.