| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 1 |
| Copyright: Other |
Lastminute ponders shop move
LASTMINUTE.COM is considering opening high-street shops to further boost its profile.City sources claim the Internet company has held meetings to discuss setting up lastminute.com branches to extend the brand.
The company’s founder Martha Lane-Fox said there was nothing to announce at this stage but various possibilities are being considered.
“Lots of brand extensions are possible,” she said.
“We could do magazines, shops or have little slots on TV channels. But there’s nothing to announce right now.
“Companies have come and pitched to us about buying retail outlets but our focus is on the Web site.”
Lane-Fox denied rumours that it would also buy a tour operator to secure content, following the major operators’ decision not to work with third-party Web sites.
“We don’t take inventory risks,” she said. “It’s not our business.”
Lane-Fox: several brandextensions are being considered