BAKERS Dolphin is struggling to hit sales targets for Thomson as one of its preferred agents because the operator is driving so much business through Lunn Poly.
Bakers Dolphin managing director Kevin Abbey said despite being up 12% in the post-Christmas period, the retailer has so far failed to qualify for the 13% commission on Thomson products, which the market leader pays to preferred agents that hit targets.
“It is a concern,” said Abbey. “But Lunn Poly tends to take the lion’s share of the early bookings, while others have more opportunity to increase market share in the late-booking market.”
Meanwhile, 52-branch Bakers Dolphin is set to increase its number of outlets to 65 by May, with eight new openings and the undisclosed acquisition of five shops in the WestCountry.
n See Analysis, page 6