TUI is to restructure the management system for its 850 retail shops next month in a bid to make it more efficient.
Rather than having separate regional sales managers for Thomson and for First Choice shops, it will reshuffle its regions so that managers will be responsible for both brands.
From March, each region will contain both Thomson and First Choice retail shops.
“Across both brands we had 29 regional sales managers managing separate Thomson and First Choice regions,” said a spokeswoman.
“We basically mixed them together and recounted them. We have also harmonised the size of the regions to give an average of 27 shops.
“The end result is that we have an additional three regions and needed an additional three regional sales managers.”
As a result of the reshuffle, there will be less distance between shops in each region, so regional sales managers will spend less time travelling.
Instead, they will be able to spend more time in each retail shop and take a more ‘hands on’ approach.
“This is seen as being critical in terms of developing the shop teams and helping them to provide their customers with the best service possible,†said the spokeswoman.
The reorganisation will also see the introduction of the new role of deputy regional sales manager across the entire retail network.
These will be responsible for delivering the sales and profit targets in the absence of the regional sales managers, as well as assisting in developing and coaching the shop teams.
TUI is introducing a ‘Retail Career Ladder’, which will enable retail staff to clearly identify available roles in the team, and help them better map out a career path within the company.
Every member of staff will be given a leaflet which outlines the new structure and all roles available in the retail sector as well as the responsibilities of each role.
By Bev Fearis
