The Disney Store’s UK full-year profits and sales slipped in 2013, impacted by store closures as it uses online to serve customers.

In the year to September 28, 2013 the toy retailer’s pre-tax profit slipped to £311,000 from £370,000 in 2012. Sales also fell to £122.8m from £123.6m.

In documents filed at Companies House, the retailer said sales fell because of a reduced store portfolio but that was partly offset by online growth.

Disney said 10 permanent and four temporary standalone stores closed in the year, but it opened a concession in Harrods in November 2013.

Meanwhile, online sales surged 30%.

A Disney spokeswoman told Retail Week: “We constantly evaluate our Disney Store portfolio to ensure we’re in the right sites to be able to provide magical experiences for our guests. This has led to some store closures in locations that no longer met these criteria.  

“We continue to broaden the availability of Disney products through a combination of owned Disney Stores and ecommerce, and through a coordinated presence at a range of general retailers including ‘shop in shops’ such as in Asda and Harrods.”

Disney added that since year-end trading has been “good”, in part because of the “phenomenal” popularity of film Frozen.

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