Lunn Poly tests store format tailored for the ‘well-travelled’

TUI UK-owned travel retail chain Lunn Poly is to test a new store format targeting experienced holidaymakers, in a move away from a “one size fits all” model.

The store opens in Farnborough, Hampshire, this week and has been developed as part of an initiative to segment the Lunn Poly network by customer profile. The stores will include commission-free foreign exchange bureaux.

The products on offer include Thomson Holidays lifestyle brochures such as gold, platinum and à la carte, alongside brochures from specialist operators such as Crystal and Magic. TUI UK is the parent company of Thomson Holidays.

The company says the format will aim to “reflect the values of the more discerning travel customer” and features include a different colour scheme, natural daylight lighting and private sales desks made of oak.

TUI marketing director Hugh Edwards says the initiative is being developed to “provide the most effective retail solution for a wide range of Thomson Holidays. After looking at an area’s population make-up, a shop may need to cater for more ‘sun fun’ customers, city travellers or, in this case, well-travelled customers.”

Rival travel retailer Thomas Cook opened a store dedicated to skiing and sporting activity holidays under the Active banner within the Milton Keynes Xscape leisure centre in June last year (MW June 7, 2002). The format has not been rolled out further.