So, today is the day that sees the Co-op and Thomas Cook merger approved. A sad day in the industry in my opinion.
What does everyone else think?
This fantastic industry is one in which change keeps it alive...there have been bigger mergers between operators and retailers which have gone before this one which have secured jobs plus a better deal for the customer... As as co-operative travel employee of a number of years I have to say that whilst it is a sad time and we will say goodbye to lots of things -including colleagues in our Burslem Head Office... I have to believe that the future is bright and hopefully the future is 'ORANGE'... Tinged with blue :-) good luck to all involved....
I know it has already been mentioned widely on other forums, but I just cant see how a company with an ethic like the co-op can merge with an operator like Cooks. While I hope that this is a good move for all those involved, I cant help feel company ethics may have been pushed aside for financial gain.
I have always liked what the Co-op has been about and hope they can retain that within the Thomas Cook structure!
Thanks Dave...The Co-operative Travel breeds proud people, so I trust that what it stands for will be safe for quite sometime... I also trust the management team - on both sides - to take the best of both businesses and make it even better... only time will tell hey... but to have no faith at this stage would be the wrong approach for all...
Myself personally working for Thomas Cook am not overly pleased with the merge as being in a small town that already has enough competition in it just gives the Co-op the oppertunity to use our branded name which actually means less sales for the staff at Thomas Cook- Obviously this matter is about financial gain for Thomas Cook and NOT the well being of thier employees.
As a company of such a high turnover of staff anyway, I do not think on a senior level that this was the best option for us to merge with the Co-op as many Thomas Cook staff are not going to be happy with the change as thier personal sales targets will remain high and less customer business coming into store- I can just see it now, having to be undercutting the prices for those who are shopping around in the high street on the same product as there will be two shops selling the same products under the same name?- SHOCKING- may have to consider my options on actually staying with the company.
Tilly87.... The Co-operative Travel have had a successful relationship with Cooks for a long time and we have supported the brand to good effect.... contributing heavily to the overall distribution of your employers product... in terms of us piggybacking your brand and pinching your sales - The Co-operative Travel Brand is rated highly on the high street and it will remain that way under the terms of the JV for 5 years - so nothing will change there... and as for sales, currently we focus heavily on Gross Margin, which get's seriously dented when faced with a Cooks product being heavily discounted by their own retailer, this JV may at least bring some long awaited price parity to the high street which will be better for everyone as it will be service which will be the deciding factor...
Tilly87 - There has always been competition on the high street. Least now there will be a level playing field!
If your shop manager has any sense they would be building a rapport with Co-Op Managers to agree that no silly price wars ensue between the two shops. Just takes the profit away from the company. This way it falls on Service, which in the good old days was how an agency got a booking..
I think this can only be good. It will ensure that TC shops have the high customer service levels that TC demand from their staff as they won't be able to say "Well you won't find it cheaper" if a customer isn't impressed with the service.
Service in the town where I work is NOT the selling factor- The selling factor is the price and I can guarantee that to you- in this town its the be all and end all as a FACT.
I can only speaks in regards to my town where we have ourselves (Thomas Cook), Thomson, Hayes Travel & Co-op. Along with FEW other stores and a million charity shops!
Its easly to have tunnel vision and just look at this from a shop perspective but its much bigger than that.
In this instance its not just shops that are affected but call centres, marketing, HR, IT etc
With a vertically integrated company decisions are made that may benefit some business areas and not others.
I remember a senior manager telling a group of high street agents a few years ago that she didn't really care where the bookings came from - thats business. However if looks could kill she wouldn't be here now.
I work for the co-op and I am in two minds about this, I love working for the co-op becuase what they belive in and how the company runs and im now scared when we join we will loose what we are known for
I work for the Co-op now abut I did work with Thomson when they merged with First Choice, I can't say i noticed any major differences and the once i did see i think were for the better... apart from a few but i think that was more down to my regional manager who i can't say i was fond of! I think that the co-op are going to find it difficult going down the route of thomas cook and being such a hard sell hopefully it doesnt change too much and they try to keep each companies personal brands and ethos.
As a Thomas Cook Employee, Im quite happy about the merger. I went through this when I worked for MyTravel and the 2 groups merged. We all thought the worse and it turned out to be the best thing for most MyTravel staff, I can understand co-op staff being nervours or worried about the merge, but you needn't worry. We are a happy family with good core values, and I want you all to feel good about the relationship we have had in the past, and the relationship going forward.
I truly understand that job losses will take place, but in the grand scheme of things, a hell of a lot more will be saved. As we come together to unite and become the UKs largest retailer, Its a time we should be proud, and work closely to ensure we make a good team.
I hate the fact that a lot of independants feel this is a bad move, but can see it from their point of view. However, it seems that the Big 2, Thomas Cook and Thomson are always under fire from independants criticising everything we do. I get really fed up hearing Cooks doing this, Tui doing that blah blah blah. To the people out there who sell our products, that really do despise us and our business ethics, why not Stop selling our products / holidays, see how long you last without us!!
To all Thomas Cook & Co-op staff, I am looking forward to us coming together and working together. We have had a close relationship for many years, and Im looking forward to the years to come!!
Co-op, Welcome to the Thomas Cook Family, Im sure you will be very happy working with us!!
Bring it on..........
@katy1...Same as I worked for thomson when the whole thing with first choice came about and same as I saw no difference at first...i just hope we carry on to be what we are known for
@Pheelinphunki I also work for Thomas Cook and could agree more, I think the merger will bring great things
The Tesco of Travel is born. Independents must unite, consider AITO Specialist Travel Agents because your consortia will still want deals from Thomas Cook.
@Pheelinphunki - to be fair, our agency has survived since 1939 not selling Cooks products so I think we will be ok!
@Dave
My comment was... "To those that DO sell our products"... If you dont sell us, then that doesn't concern you... Does it ?
Yawn....
@Pheelinphunki - Your actual comment was 'why not stop selling our products and see how long you last.'
I was meerly illustrating that in order to run a successful travel agency you dont need to sell Thomas Cook products.
@ Dave...
Ill reiterate what i actually said shall i? To make its easier for you to understand:
"To the people out there who sell our products, that really do despise us and our business ethics, why not stop selling our products / holidays, see how long you last"
It was a sentence, not just a comment... I feel your trying to twist what I actually said to make it something to do with you.
You dont sell us, therefore, it doesnt concern you...
Yawn again...
Regardless, my point remains the same.... You do not need to sell Thomas Cook products to run a successful travel agency.
That point is relevant to every independent agent (myself included). We do not sell your products out of choice, not because we physically cant book them.
Its time independent agents backed the independent operators!!
The independents do need each other as so many are going bust.
The weekend Goldtrail went bust last year was a massive selling weekend for my agency but people only really wanted Thomson or TC because of the security & protection.
Even though TC issued a profit warning they are still doing well and can rely so much on their brand name.
As for the merger, its a merger not a take over which can make a big difference, especially for staff.
everyone is allowed their own opinion - like i said i work for the co-op and im 50/50 about joining up with thomas cook
Thomas Cook will be merging with both Co-Op Travel - which has its headquarters in Burslem, near Stoke - and the Midlands Co-Op, based in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Out of a total of 1,240 shops, Thomas Cook has 780, while 360 are currently run by Co-Op Travel, with the Midlands Co-Op owning a further 100.
Thomas Cook said the merger would save the company £35m a year.
The company will own 70% of the new group.
Its a big if that Cook will survive now, it might have just got £20 Million to get through winter but there is now £1.2 Billion of debt.