Shop of the Future is Here

Media Release 18 September 2006

Shop of the Future is Here

Flight Centre continues to invest in its multi-channel sales network, with a major upgrade of its New Zealand shop network.

Flight Centre opened the first example of its innovative new ‘Shop of the Future’ design in its new Havelock North site today, with a second shop opening in Auckland's Devonport later in the week.

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

Flight Centre (NZ) Ltd general manager Rick Hamilton said it was an extremely positive step forward for the future of the New Zealand business.

‘Shop of the Future’ will be progressively rolled out through New Zealand, complementing the development of the company's online offering, which now includes Lonely Planet destinational information.

“While we continue to develop our online presence, we also want to offer the best in-store experience possible for the clients that prefer to buy their travel face to face. The new stores have a very different look and feel.”

New features include:

- Swivelling consultant terminals that allow clients to view product and destinational images

- An in-store LCD screen with rotating destinational imagery

- An On-sale Now panel featuring current advertising campaigns and specials

- Updated instore and shopfront design

The first Shop of the Future opened in Melbourne’s Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, and aims to create a feeling that their holidays have begun from the moment they walk through the door.

Mr Hamilton said signage and other key branding elements, including the Flight Centre captain, would also be more visible.

“With our shop network continuing to be a major part our operation, we felt the time was right to enhance the holiday shopping experience for our customers,” he said.

Mr Hamilton 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 has 116 stores throughout New Zealand.

ENDS

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