| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 3 |
| Copyright: Other |
Superstores may lead to closure of traditional high-street agencies
Lunn Poly revamp sets style for future outlets
Report by STEVEJONES
LUNN Poly managing director Nigel David has predicted an end to the traditional travel agency as the multiple prepares to step up its multimillion pound shop revamp.Speaking at the opening of the first superstore, at Fosse Park near Leicester, David said he was looking to develop a network of shops targeted at specific customers and using Internet and digital technologies.
“We are developing the new generation Lunn Poly,” said David. “I believe any travel agencies who stick with the old style face a tough future. They will be the dinosaurs of the industry.
“The one-size-fits-all approach has served the industry well but it is tired.”
The new superstore is likely to be the first of several, although David declined to reveal how many it was planning to open.
“We are looking at other sites,” he said.
He added that superstores could lead to the closure of some traditional high-street shops.
“There is no point cannibalising our customers,” he said. “But I honestly don’t have a set number of shops we are going to close, if any.”
The new store contains five specialist zones focusing on long haul, short breaks, summer sun, families and lates under the Getaway brand.
Lunn Poly has already opened four of its new range of core high-street shops – in Grimsby, Wakefield, Burton and Guildford. A fifth will open shortly.
“We have started segmenting customers, although we don’t want to over complicate the network by having 800 individual trading shops,” David said.
He said dedicated Family shops – which were trialled in Coventry – are unlikely to be rolled out.
“We have other priorities,” he said. “But the concept will appear in other shops, including the superstore.”
He added around a third of the network will be revamped by the end of next year.
Segmented: the new store is divided into five specialist zones
Looking smart: a new uniform is also part of the revamp