Which company operated Disney’s North American stores after acquiring them in 2004?

The Children’s Place operated Disney’s North American stores after acquiring them in 2004.

The agreement transferred operation of Disney Stores in the United States and Canada to The Children’s Place, while Disney continued to own and control its brand and merchandise licensing interests. This arrangement changed who managed the retail chain in North America.

The Children’s Place later ended the relationship, and Disney resumed operation of the stores in 2008. That return is why accounts of Disney Store ownership can appear contradictory: the brand, real-estate portfolio and operating responsibilities changed over time.

The deal did not mean that The Children’s Place owned Disney characters. Disney’s intellectual property remained Disney’s; the other company operated the retail locations under an agreement.