Independent agents have given a mixed reaction to news that Thomas Cook and The Co-operative Travel are to merge their retail operations.
Most have broadly welcomed the move which will see Cook’s 803 shops and The Co-operative’s 401 outlets brought together.
Both the Cook and Co-operative brands will be maintained although Going Places shops will be rebranded under The Co-operative Travel.
Agents have raised concerns on the impact the move will have on independent tour operators and what the deal says about the state of the traditional high street retail model.
Sandy Murray, owner of Murray Travel, said: “It is fantastic news as it means independent agents have more of a chance to demonstrate their service, although we’ve got to support the independent operators.”
Michelle Pereira, Kinver Travel director, questioned whether the deal will make a great deal of difference due to the nature of The Co-operative’s sales model.
“Co-operative shops still had certain structures where they had to book so many Cosmos or Airtours breaks; they were still governed by someone else and their sales were quite directional,” she said.
“As independents they should book what’s best for the customer, not what’s best for them. They weren’t as independent as they should have been.”
Oliver Broad, chairman of the Aito Specialist Travel Agents division, agreed the deal should give independent agents more of a chance to shine as the current largest independent retailer in the UK joins with Thomas Cook.
“It is another example of how Aito STA members can push their consumer message and it is an opportunity for all independent agents whether they’re in Aito or not to show consumers what they can do,” he said.
“The Co-operative has always pushed itself as an independent agency and it will be interesting to see how they handle this on the shop floor with their product range and their promotions.
“I wonder what the Co-operative agents will sell. Will Thomas Cook really want a Co-operative agent to sell a Classic Collection holiday?
“This may cause problems for some of the smaller operators who have a good relationship with the Co-operative Travel.”
Chris Bailey, Bailey’s Travel owner, agreed the merger could spell disaster for some independent operators who rely heavily on The Co-operative Travel for their distribution.
“Where does it leave the independent tour operators? Will they be thinking is this a chance to get into Cooks or will the Co-operative no longer need them?
“I’d like to think this is a great opportunity for the independent sector and it might well be but I am reading more into the fact that these two companies have done a deal and thinking why on earth they did this?
“Is it a reflection of the state of the retail industry?”