Are there plans for more LEGO stores?

[Drock]

Any chance of us getting a LEGO store in Columbus, Ohio?

I was kind of surprised (and jelous!) that the first store here in Ohio is in Cincinnati. I know that companies should be hesitant to keep opening more stores in this economy, but it just seems that it would make sense, due to population and projected growth, and people still doing relatively well.

Does LEGO try to stay with places where there might be tourism and out-of-town family visitors?

Ah, well, I can dream. I'm sure I'll visit the new Cincy store when it opens, just to see some of the built sets in person (Dropship/AT-OT, I'm looking at you). At least not having a store close by keeps me out of trouble with my accountant.

[Jabba the Taff]

I don't know how the LEGO stores in Britain do, but we definitely need some more! And if they open one in Cardiff they've got the first applicant for manager here.

But seriously, the four we have got are pretty distant from many people (and yes, I can imagine how far some people in America have to travel!)

[Joedward]

Four? I thought it was three now.
All I want is a new LEGO shop in London. I don't think I'd care where in London, I don't mind the travel, I do care about shipping costs though. (even though they might be less than the costs to travel to and from) (it's the principle of it.....)

But anyhow. I don't suppose someone could say why the ones that closed did? Not performing well enough? Something else?

[donneyboy]

We need some stores in wisconsin, badly.

[Andi]

We really could need one in Frankfurt or Rhein-Main-Gebiet.

[bluemoose]

I don't suppose someone could say why the ones that closed did? Not performing well enough? Something else?

The Kingston & Birmingham stores weren't making enough money according to the overall manager of the UK stores. They've been looking for other opportunities in the UK, but nothing has come to fruition yet. I suspect they are very interested in opening a store in the north of the UK - somewhere like the trafford centre or metro centre must be high on their list.

I was genuinely surprised the big new shopping centres in London & Bristol didn't open with Lego store each - I guess the rent is too high.

Ian

[liquidcross]

I want to know why there isn't one in Connecticut. There's a corporate headquarters here! It makes no sense!

[Joedward]

I was genuinely surprised the big new shopping centres in London & Bristol didn't open with Lego store each

Same, I was so PO'd when I visited Westfield and found there was to be no LEGO store. I hope one turns up eventually, if it does I am so going to try and get a job there.

[ThinkingImpaired]

if it does I am so going to try and get a job there.

Pfft good luck. Trying to get a job at a lego store is easy. Succeeding is not. I tried for months down here but everything seemed to go wrong and you can only apply online.

[infallible]

Not sure if this helps you guys any, but I'll say what I've heard. It certainly does seem like LEGO is opening a lot of new retail stores lately. It looks like they're making a push to expand their company-owned retail presence, since stores seem to be opening up pretty regularly.

At the opening in Houston last year, I was lucky enough to meet a gentleman that was in charge of LEGO retail operations for North America. (Needless to say, everyone that worked for the company was pretty nervous when he showed up.) We got to chat a bit about if they opened up a second store in Texas. It sounds like they're going for pretty big areas for now. So take a look at your state or region and think about the largest city in that area.

What I've noticed is that they're also looking for areas that are growing. They seem to focus on suburbs of cities that have growing family populations. In both Houston and Dallas, they opted for an area that's pretty far from the main part of the city. So don't expect them to open a store downtown or in a busy, high-end shopping mall.

It also looks like they're monitoring the success of these new stores VERY closely. It's a new venture for them, so don't expect them to take any big gambles at this point. I mean, I wish there were a store here in Austin, but if I were LEGO, I wouldn't open one up here yet, either.

[Andi]

So don't expect them to open a store downtown or in a busy, high-end shopping mall.

Well, but they do exactly this in Frankfurt.

[GIR3691]

I want to know why there isn't one in Connecticut. There's a corporate headquarters here! It makes no sense!

Yeah... that's always bothered me. Let's get one in southwest CT, please.

[infallible]

So don't expect them to open a store downtown or in a busy, high-end shopping mall.

Well, but they do exactly this in Frankfurt.

Ha ha. Germany's a little different, since Germans buy the most LEGO per capita. I guess I should have prefaced what I was saying was that it was for the US (maybe N. America as a whole).

[chawan_cut]

there's rumors that they'll be opening one at Ala Moana Center here in Hawai'i. Gotta wait and see!

[dakdogba]

i want an irish one. matbe in dublin or cork where the zavvi store used to be. and in cardiff i visit there a lot any have never been in a lego store. anyway, lego is supposed to be a europran company but america gets most of the stores

[lego-method]

Just wondering if Lego plans on opening any store in Canada. Is there a reason they can't have one up here?

[dWhisper]

Well, no, based on the following irrefutable logic:

1) It's Canada
2) See point 1

[legodeathstrike]

Well, no, based on the following irrefutable logic:

1) It's Canada
2) See point 1

I'm from Canada too, can you please state your reasons...I curious to know.

[hatcher]

Well, no, based on the following irrefutable logic:

1) It's Canada
2) See point 1

I'm from Canada too, can you please state your reasons...I curious to know.

Hmm let me think. Oh I know - It's a joke.

[dWhisper]

Please go ask Daz Hoo to explain it to you...