Thomas Cook ‘looking at brand new sites’ for stores

Thomas Cook is looking to acquire new sites for retail stores.

Speaking at the Thomas Cook Retail Conference in Turkey, Kathryn Darbandi, director of retail & customer experience, said the tour operator has “just started to look at” locations in towns where it does not have a presence.

“This is really exciting as we haven’t opened new stores for a long time.

“We will be looking at brand new sites. There are some towns where we don’t have a Thomas Cook or a Co-operative Travel.”

Darbandi said if Thomas Cook opens new stores, new jobs will be created in the business.

She also said Thomas Cook will be investing “several million” in the refurbishment of its real estate over the next 12 months.

“We have actually refreshed 450 stores in the last two years,” she said.

She continued: “We named our conference ‘Time to Shine’ because it really is. We believe that we have turned a corner and the opportunity ahead of us is so fantastic.

“We are talking about growth and multiple new initiatives. I think our people feel it’s that time as well. They are desperate for us to do well and the passion is incredible.”

In 2013 Thomas Cook announced it would cut 2,500 jobs, including 900 in retail, and close almost 200 shops.