Thomson today opened its first new next generation store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent. 

Set over 2,187 square feet, the store integrates the latest technology combined with great service to enhance the experience of choosing and booking a holiday.

Marketed to consumers as the Holiday Design Store, it features some of the latest retail innovations with an immersive video wall ‘shop window’ showcasing evocative content.

Customers can explore the world on an 84”touch screen interactive map and interactive table designed to inspire and entertain customers as they research their holiday.

The modern look and feel is continued with high definition screens and projections around the store featuring changing images and videos.

Here customers can view top ten lists and live weather information, read reviews and view videos of destinations. 

Social media feeds will be streamed onto the screens to educate and inform customers and give them a feel of what to expect from their holiday before they book.

The store is zoned so customers can choose from browsing on their own devices using free Wi-fi in the pool area, self-serving on customer computers at the Advice Bar where staff will be on hand to answer questions or have a more personalised experience in the large booths where relevant holiday images and video content will be projected on the wall.

Kathryn Ward, director of retail for TUI UK & Ireland said: “The opening of our first next generation store today is very exciting for the business as it showcases the future for our retail network. Central to the concept is the designing of unique holiday experiences customers cannot find elsewhere.

“We’re combining the knowledge and expertise of our people with a range of technology that will really bring choosing and booking a holiday to life and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first customers to the store.”

The Thomson store is located on Thames Walk on the Upper Mall.