TUI has announced plans to set up 120 ‘TUI Stores’ at travel agencies across Europe while converting nearly all its 450 company-owned agencies into these ultra-modern travel shops as part of its unified international branding. So far the company has created 13 TUI Stores in various German cities as well as in the first Swiss outlet in Zurich.

The TUI Stores are designed to be welcoming, “inspiring” open-plan shops, with lounge-style fittings and state-of-the-art technology such as iPads and interactive devices for customers to use. The company aims to sell about 70-80% own products in these outlets, a higher proportion than in its traditional partner and franchise travel agencies.

“Our TUI Stores are very well received by our customers,” said Erik Friemuth, Chief Marketing Officer of the TUI Group. “Internationalising the concept is therefore a consistent move and a further pillar of our strategy of building TUI as a unified, strong brand in Europe – not just online, but also offline in our retail stores.”