Media Releases

Flight Centre Unveils The Shop Of The Future

Jun 15, 2006

Flight Centre continues to invest in its multi channel sales network, with an upgrade of its global shop network and an enhanced internet offering on the way.

After recently adding Lonely Planet content to its Australian websites and calling for tenders for an enhanced online booking facility, the company has unveiled an innovative new Shop of the Future design.

The design, which has been developed and refined over the past six months, will serve as the blueprint for the company’s next generation shops and will include a host of special features for customers.

Key features include:

  • An in-store LCD screen with rotating destinational imagery
  • In-store customer terminals for client research
  • An On-sale Now panel featuring current advertising campaigns and specials
  • Swivelling consultant terminals that allow clients to view product and destinational images
  • Improved world maps with feature destinations in brochure format below
  • Dedicated client areas
  • Comprehensive travel library with magazines, essential information and direct access to brochures

The first Shop of the Future opened yesterday (June 26) in Melbourne’s Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre.

Flight Centre Limited Australian EGM Sue Garrett said the new design was fresh and modern and would showcase innovative marketing concepts.

Ms Garrett said signage and other key branding elements, including the popular Flight Centre captain, would also be more visible.

“With the continued popularity of our shops, we felt the time was right to really focus on and enhance the holiday shopping experience for our customers,” she said.

“The new shops will be both interactive and dynamic for customers and will highlight the full range of travel products the company’s expert consultants offer.

“Importantly, we have placed great emphasis on creating a welcoming atmosphere that will give customers a feeling that their holidays have begun from the moment they walk through the door.”

Ms Garrett said the shop and internet upgrades were part of Flight Centre’s ongoing strategy of improving its customer experience across all sales channels.

Flight Centre Limited Completes US Acquisition

Mar 31, 2006

Flight Centre Limited has acquired a Chicago-based corporate travel management business to enhance its global FCm Travel Solutions network.

The company has almost doubled its corporate travel presence in North America by acquiring Bannockburn Travel Management (BTM), a profitable business with a healthy growth record.

BTM was launched in 1987 and generated $US93million in total transaction value in 2005. The business employs 80 people in Chicago and in its Arizona reservation centre.

Flight Centre Limited managing director Graham Turner said BTM would operate alongside the FCm network’s profitable operations in Canada, Chicago and Los Angeles.

“BTM is a growing business with strong leadership, headed by Joe Mazza Sr, who has a personal commitment to customer service,” he said. “Importantly, the business’s base values are consistent with those of FCm Travel Solutions.

“This acquisition means the network will have a solid presence in Los Angeles and Chicago and a footprint for future expansion in other key United States locations.”

FCm Travel Solutions global executive general manager Anthony Grigson said the company would investigate other strategic acquisition opportunities in the United States as it continued to expand the FCm Travel Solutions network.

“We continue to seek the right opportunity on the East Coast in particular,” he said.

“Future acquisitions will complement the successful organic growth strategy that is already in place in our established FCm Travel Solutions businesses in North America.”

The BTM deal includes an upfront payment and further consideration that is payable if the business achieves prescribed growth-related targets in the future.

Flight Centre Limited’s total investment is expected to be in the vicinity of $AUD13million.

As part of the deal, Mr Mazza has agreed to run the business for at least three years. Mr Mazza founded BTM and has been instrumental to its success over the past 19 years.

The acquisition is Flight Centre Limited’s 11th in the corporate travel sector and its first in the United States.

The company has previously acquired corporate businesses in Australia and New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China (joint venture) and India.

About FCm Travel Solutions: FCm Travel Solutions is the first Asia-Pacific based, global corporate travel and expense management specialist, delivering personalized solutions to companies of all sizes around the world. The network services some of the world’s best-known companies and delivers measurable savings through its worldwide network of local expertise, state-of-the-art technologies, a flexible approach to service and the continuous development of its 3000 people. Visit www.fcmtravel.com for further information.

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