Kuoni is ending its partner store programme following a strategic review of its distribution and sales.
The operator said it will instead build stronger relationships with the wider travel trade ‘to better support future business objectives and growth plans’, citing the ‘dramatic’ growth in home-based businesses.
It said it remains ‘fully committed to the trade’ and will focus on supporting ‘high-performing agent partners across all sectors of the trade’.
Kuoni will work with its four existing partner stores – Travel Bureau, Peter Goord Travel, Bailey’s Travel and Feherty Travel – ‘to ensure a smooth transition’.
Sarah Weetman, Head of Retail, Personal Travel Managers and Trade Partnerships, said: “We would like to thank all our partner stores, past and present, for their valued support and for the contribution they have made over many years to our shared success.
“As our business, and customer behaviours, have evolved over recent years, it was time to review how we best invest our resources across all sales channels to support our long-term ambitions.
“We are excited to be launching a new high-performing agents initiative soon, which will include team members from all four partner stores.”
The move follows Kuoni’s decision in May to close its nine John Lewis concessions and one pop-up store at the end of September, also as part of its strategic review.
