See preview photos of Thomson’s first ‘next generation’ store
Thomson will open its first next generation store at Bluewater in late summer.
The new 2,187 sq ft store will serve customers Italian-style coffee while they search for holidays on laptops in the pool area or with the help of Thomson staff.
They can sit at a ‘self-service’ Advice Bar where staff will be on hand to answer questions or can choose to "have a more personalised experience" in booths where holiday images and video content will be projected on the wall.
The high-tech store will have an immersive video wall ‘shop window’ showcasing evocative content, sounds and aromas and an interactive map and table.
High definition screens and projections around the store will feature changing images, videos and social media commentary in a bid to inspire customers.
"We chose Bluewater for our first next generation shop due to its prime position as the number one retail destination in the UK, said Kathryn Ward, director of retail for TUI UK & Ireland.
"Work will start fitting out the store very shortly and we’re very exciting about welcoming our first customers later this summer."
The Thomson store will be located on Thames Walk on the Upper Mall.
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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