Speaking to TTG at the launch of its 2016 Worldwide Trends report last week, Derek Jones said the UK side of the business could look to emulate the business model of its German counterpart.
“I think we’re reaching maximum density with our own-branded stores and we can look to fill in the gaps with partner stores. But we could even look at considering a franchise model,” he said.
In Germany, DER Touristik – which bought Kuoni last year – has around 500 fully franchised stores.
“We’re studying the model,” said Jones, “it could be something that could work here. We need to look into it further.”
It comes as Kuoni prepares to open its first standalone store in Scotland, with the launch of a Glasgow shop on Gordon Street on March 13.
There is already a store in John Lewis in Aberdeen and a partner store at Barrhead Travel in Glasgow.
Jones said Kuoni would have 40 stores by the end of March and was still on track to have 50 stores open by the end of 2016, but added there was still just as strong a focus on the growth of the independent network.
“Our own big city locations, out of town stores [in shopping malls] and within John Lewis are very different to real local shops that are part of their own community – that’s the difference and where we feel the opportunity still lies. We need our partner stores for that,” he added.
Kuoni stores are due to open soon in John Lewis branches in Cheadle, Leeds and Peterborough, Jones said, while Kuoni shops have just opened in Brighton’s Lanes shopping area and within the Lakeside shopping mall in Essex. A Harrogate store will also open on March 13.
On recruiting employees to staff these stores, Jones said the search had taken Kuoni beyond the travel industry.
“We recruit for customer service and the person – we can then train the product.
“We’ve taken on staff from Ted Baker recently for example,” he said. “Agents are like hairdressers in a sense – if they leave, they take their clients with them and that can be the same with travel agents. We also have to be aware of that.”
Meanwhile, Jones was also keen to stress the operator’s commitment to the trade, following the departure of its head of trade sales Amanda Darrington.
He told TTG her exit was a huge loss, but added that he would use the opportunity to reassess the role.
“We can’t announce anyone new yet, but we absolutely remain very focused on the trade and how we can work together,” he added.
