Virgin Holidays is opening four new concessions in Next in as many weeks as it continues to build its high street presence within larger stores.
The agency opened in Basildon’s Next store on Friday August 30, its first site in Essex, having opened in Swansea’s branch of the fashion retailer on August 23.
Two more concessions are due to open in Next branches in Basingstoke on September 6, and in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, on September 13.
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The four openings will take the number of Virgin Holidays branches in Next stores across the UK to 31, in addition to its 15 concessions within Debenhams department stores and 14 standalone v-rooms.
Rach Wilton, head of retail at Virgin Holidays, said: “The expansion of our V-Room concession concept, as part of our partnership with Next, provides us with the opportunity to reach a broader network of customers throughout the length and breadth of the UK, where they can meet with our fantastic team of holiday experts.
“We’re delighted that we can bring the very latest in our retail offering and our unique holiday store concept to the shoppers of Basildon. We know holidays are evolving and our customers want more than the traditional, travel one-stop-shop.”
Virgin Holidays announced late last year that it would open 20 Next Concessions in 2019 – doubling its number in the fashion retailer with which it first partnered earlier in 2018.
As of August last year, it had six concessions in struggling department store chain House of Fraser, which have all now been closed.
The new Basildon branch has a green ‘living wall’, a champagne bar and kids area, and will employ eight staff.
Divisional manager Aimie Teader said: “The store concept is relaxed and informal. The team and I can’t wait to create some perfect holiday packages for our customers.”
More: Tui opens first travel agency concession in Next store
Virgin Holidays to open 20 more Next concessions
Virgin Holidays teams up with Next to open 20 new concessions
