Kuoni has shortlisted locations for up to five new shops to open by the end of this year.
The operator has already revealed it plans to open no more than 10 stores on the high street. It currently has three shops; its flagship stores in Kensington and Manchester, and a third shop in Bishopsgate.
Distribution director Derek Jones said four or five new Kuoni shops will open this year. Locations on the shortlist are:
- Bluewater shopping centre in Kent
- Milton Keynes
- Bristol
- Cheltenham
They have been chosen because of their footfall and the demographics of the areas.
He said: “They are all prominent locations, and not existing travel shops. Some are major locations with a broad customer base, and not specific locations where you would expect traditional agents.”
The operator is already recruiting staff for the new shops, some of which are larger than the flagship stores.
Jones reassured agents that the aim was not to take business away from them, and said it had taken into account the location of its supportive agents in relation to the new shops. “We are not opening shops to take business away from independent agents. We want customers to experience the Kuoni brand first hand.”