Hyundai Dept. Store to open first Disney Store in Korea

South Korea's Hyundai Department Store Co. said on Thursday that it has acquired the operating rights of Disney Store, a retail brand of Walt Disney Company, and is set to open the first official store in Korea at the Pangyo location in July.

Prior to the grand opening, a Disney pop-up store will be showcased in Pangyo on April 18, featuring figures and clothing of representative characters.

In addition to the Pangyo store, Hyundai Department Store plans to add Disney stores to The Hyundai Seoul, Cheonho and Hyundai Premium Outlet Gimpo later this year. The company also plans to launch a Disney store on the official online mall, The Hyundai Dotcom, in July, and conduct a large-scale marketing campaign themed on Disney at 16 stores nationwide.

Furthermore, Hyundai Department Store aims to develop products using Disney intellectual properties through collaboration between affiliates such as Handsome Corp., Hyundai Green Food Co. and Hyundai Livart Furniture.

"Hyundai Department Store's intention to provide new experiences that have never existed before matches Walt Disney Company Korea's needs to increase contact with Korean customers," said Kim Hyung-jong, CEO of Hyundai Department Store. "Through this collaboration, we will present the direction of future-oriented retail."

Write to Ji-Yoon Yang at yang@hankyung.com