Kuoni is “open to opportunities” to expand its high street shop network further this year, according to new UK interim chief executive Francis Torrilla.
Torrilla, previously managing director of specialist businesses, has taken over as chief executive of Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK following the “amicable” departure of Derek Jones after more than a decade running the UK arm of the pan-European business.
The company now has 27 Kuoni stores, down from around 50 pre-Covid, including 20 standalone and seven John Lewis concessions. In March, Jones announced plans to open more shops across the UK.
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It opened a branch in Aberdeen in March in new premises following the closure of John Lewis where the company previously had a branch. In the past few weeks, it has reopened its refitted Guildford store, which closed during Covid.
Torrilla said: “We are open to opportunities in John Lewis and standalone stores. We are looking; they have to be in the right place.
“If there is a good opportunity we will take it, but we will not open shops for the sake of it.”
Kuoni’s shops now sell premium third-party operators as well as the group’s inhouse brands.
“It’s early days but sales are good and positive,” added Torrilla.
He reassured the trade it was “business as usual” for the group, which includes Kuoni, Kirker Holidays, Carrier, CV Villas, Journey Latin America and Jules Verne.
Torrilla said his priorities were to “continue driving the business forward” and to communicate with staff, adding: “I’m getting up to speed and looking at market opportunities. Kuoni is a fantastic brand and I want to maximise it.”
He added: “The business is in a good position and to some extent it is a case of following on what Derek and the team had in place.”
Speaking after his departure last week, Jones said: “It’s been a privilege to lead the Kuoni brand over the years. It’s felt like the best job in the world.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team and everything we’ve achieved together and I know the business will continue to thrive.”
Jones, who joined in 2009 and became UK chief executive in 2011, is taking time off with his family before deciding his next career move. He remains chairman of charity Abta LifeLine.
More: Derek Jones to leave Der Touristik UK
Der Touristik interim chief tells trade it’s ‘business as usual’