Not Just Travel has launched a retail strategy to help homeworkers open retail outlets.
The company has set up a dedicated retail team to support consultants who want to add a physical presence to their existing homeworking business, such as on the high street or in a garden centre. The team will help with finding premises, securing ABTA arrangements and marketing the new store.
The initiative follows what NJT described as strong demand from consultants seeking a face-to-face sales channel alongside their homeworking operation.
It said several consultants have already opened retail outlets and seen significant growth in business. Among them are husband-and-wife teams James and Natasha Oliphant, and Rachael and Colman Coyne, who launched retail units in November 2024.
Consultants choosing the retail option will operate their own ABTA branch and receive business development support, while NJT will contribute towards shop signage and branding costs.
NJT said customers visiting travel shops typically spend more than those booking online or over the phone, with more than a third of retail enquiries involving complex, multi-component trips.
Co-founder Steve Witt said the company had spent time refining the model before rolling it out across the network.
“Retail is a completely different conversation to homeworking,” he said. “When someone walks into a shop, they have already made a decision to talk to you, and that changes the whole dynamic of the sale.
“This is about giving consultants another lucrative route to meet new clients, not asking them to give up what they already do well.”
Steve said several consultants had already achieved ‘phenomenal success’ through retail stores, prompting the company to develop a formal strategy.
“We wanted to get the model right before we launched our retail strategy,” he added. “Now we can support a wider range of consultants with their own ABTA branch, a dedicated team behind them and help with the cost of getting a store looking right.
“It is a serious investment from us, but the retail figures make a strong case for it.”
Pictured, from left: NJT Head of Cruise Sales Duncan Croucher, Rachael Coyne, Steve Witt, Colman Coyne and Head of Trade Emma Holliday
