GOING Places has jumped on to the homeworking bandwagon by launching its own network of retailers.
The retail chain first mooted the idea of homeworking in February, and has started the venture with six homeworkers in Oxford, Essex, Scotland, south Wales, Leeds and Hertfordshire.
All were previously employed in Going Places shops and have more than 10 years’ experience.
The move follows company research showing the public are unaware of the homeworking concept.
Going Places head of marketing Sarah Bottomley said: “Joe Public isn’t aware of homeworking because there isn’t an established brand in the field. Going Places is a nationwide brand with huge awareness.”
She said the operation would not take clients away from the high-street chain, as homeworkers cater for a different clientele. They will deal with bookings over the telephone and visit customers’ homes.
Homeworking has proved a boom growth area of late, with many firms cherry-picking high-street agents who are fed up with commission cuts.
Bottomley said all Going Places’ homeworkers “would have extensive knowledge and be well travelled”. They will start on a salary for the first six months, sharing commission with Going Places. Homeworkers could eventually become self-employed.
But Travel Counsellors founder David Speakman claimed Going Places would struggle to make a success of homeworking. “No organisation has pulled off homeworking and being on the high street. The Co-op has done it under different brands.”
He also questioned the Going Places brand: “What does it stand for? It doesn’t have a brand – just a facility for directional selling for the tour operation.”
First Choice has already moved into homeworking offering it to its call centre and shop staff.
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