Thomson welcomes first customers to its ‘next generation’ store
Thomson has opened its first new ‘next generation’ store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent.
Set over 2,187 square feet, the Holiday Design Store includes a video wall ‘shop window’ and an 84-inch touch-screen interactive map and interactive table to help customers research their holiday.
High definition screens and projections around the store feature changing images and videos, where customers can view top-10 lists and live weather information, read reviews and view videos of destinations.
The store is zoned so customers can choose from browsing on their own devices using free wifi in the pool area; self-serving on customer computers at the ‘advice bar’, or getting a more personalised service in a booth, where relevant holiday images and video content will be projected on the wall.
TUI UK and Ireland director of retail Kathryn Ward said: "The opening of our first next generation store today is very exciting for the business as it showcases the future for our retail network.
"Central to the concept is the designing of unique holiday experiences customers cannot find elsewhere.
"We’re combining the knowledge and expertise of our people with a range of technology that will really bring choosing and booking a holiday to life."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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