Hays Travel will add three new shops to its retail network this summer, and confirmed more acquisitions are in the “pipeline”.
A shop in Moreton, Wirral, opened on Monday and two more will open in Hove and Widnes in July, taking the business’ total number of stores to 150.
The agency chain said it would employ around five staff in each of the new shops.
Hays Travel said its recent acquisitions, including Holiday Travel in Bridlington, which it bought in March, were proving “highly successful”. A foreign exchange bureau will be added in July.
Retail and training director, Jane Schumm, said overall, the retail division was trading “extremely well” having had an “excellent May and a great June”.
“We are trading above targets,” she said. “Other acquisitions are in the pipeline.”
Managing director John Hays said sales between November and April were up 27% compared to last year.
“I am really pleased with trading,” he said. “It’s not just the new stores trading well but we are seeing great results from our older, more mature shops.
“We are on the lookout for acquisitions and continue to look for businesses to buy.”
Meanwhile, Hays Travel Independence Group has welcomed six new members in the last year, with two more due to join in the coming months. Hays said no members had left.
The new members include Seaside Travel, which has opened a new branch in Sacriston, Big Green Mountain and Experience It Now Travel.
The consortium will host its annual conference at the Andalucía Plaza in Marbella from October 27 – 30.
The theme is ‘leadership in a fast changing industry’ with Thomas Cook as the headline sponsor.
More on Hays Travel:
Hays Travel buys Yorkshire agency Holiday Travel