Kuoni has opened a concession within John Lewis’ flagship Oxford Street shop as part of its tie-up with the department store.
The opening follows the launch of Kuoni in John Lewis Southampton last Monday, with a further two planned for Reading and Cardiff.
Speaking to Travel Weekly at the launch of the Oxford Street store, Kuoni managing director Derek Jones said initial feedback had been very positive.
“We have had brilliant feedback – the customers who have come across the stores have been delighted. The two brands are such a good match – we have the same customer base.
“Having said that, the customers so far have been non-Kuoni customers. It may take a little time for our existing customers to find us here.”
The operator has taken on 19 staff to work across the shops. All have been on a nine week training course and travelled to the Maldives or Sri Lanka.
“We have taken staff from the multiples, independent agencies and from outside travel – we are mostly looking for people with the right attitude and personality,” said Jones.
The shops, which range in size from 444 sq ft to 821 sq ft, have a similar look and feel to Kuoni’s high street shops with John Lewis furniture, plasma screens and iPads.
Customers who book a Kuoni honeymoon will be able to feature it on their gift lists so that wedding guests can contribute towards the couple’s holiday.
The performance of the in-store concessions will be reviewed after 12 months and could ultimately result in the roll out of Kuoni stores across John Lewis’ entire estate of department stores.