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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports