Kuoni to open in John Lewis stories – see picture
Kuoni is to open travel agencies in four John Lewis stores as part of its retail strategy, but says the move won’t affect its relationship with independent agents.
The Kuoni ‘concessions’ will open in the autumn at John Lewis shops in Oxford Street, Reading, Southampton and Cardiff, and will offer the full range of holidays available from Kuoni shops.
But Kuoni MD Derek Jones said the operator was also committed to developing relationships with independent agents.
At present, Kuoni has jointly branded shops with five independent agents and has dedicated wall space within another 25 shops across the UK.
Jones said it would be happy to talk to any other independents who would like to forge a closer partnership.
"If agents want to work with us in that way we’re happy to engage with anybody. We see this John Lewis move very much as complimentary to our partnerships with the trade," he said.
"We are very neutral when it comes to distribution and are open to any relationships that would increase our brand visibility in the market."
The operator is now recruiting for the new John Lewis concessions, which will create 19 new full time jobs.
The concessions will range from 444 sq ft – 821 sq ft and combine the look and feel of the two brands, with John Lewis furniture and Kuoni fittings.
They will be in the customer service area, next to John Lewis’s Gift List departments, and will feature interactive technology such as iPads and plasma screens.
Kuoni will also introduce John Lewis Travel Insurance to its customers and become the travel partner for John Lewis Gift List.
This service allows customers to ask their guests to contribute to their Kuoni honeymoon through a John Lewis Gift List.
Rob Martin, new business manager at John Lewis, said: "We already have a strong customer base in our travel insurance services, so opening travel concessions in our shops feels like a natural step for John Lewis.
"People will be able to take time out from speaking to a personal travel expert to shop or have a coffee, and choose their holiday in a relaxed and inspiring environment."
John Lewis currently has a deal with Cox and Kings but this will be replaced by the Kuoni concessions.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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