B&S captures Thomson Cruises supplier award and builds cruise market presence

EUROPE. Dutch travel retailer and distributor B&S has won a key supplier award from Thomson Cruises. The award (for Individual Contribution to Thomson Cruises’ business) was made to B&S for delivering revenue above target through innovation and new product selection, challenging existing performance levels and driving new ideas and incentives.

B&S has recently signalled its ambition to enter new travel retail markets, including cruise. Earlier this year B&S opened five stores on the newest vessel in the Thomson Cruises fleet: TUI Discovery. B&S has also been awarded the concession for TUI Discovery II.

Of the supplier award, Thomson Cruises Managing Director Richard Sofer said: “Thanks to the successful partnership with B&S we’ve been able to continuously improve the offer, service and events. The shops have been designed for relaxed and comfortable shopping, which suits the demands of modern customers and fits our modernisation and transformation strategy. By using attractive visuals, creating dynamic areas with gifting tables and adding more shop-in-shop concepts B&S has created an exciting shopping experience which enables us to grow our business together.”

B&S Managing Director Maurice Riegel said: “B&S is much more than just a retailer: we’re a full service partner. Our fast learning curve and high understanding of the cruise market enables us to provide the best solutions and enhance the world-class shopping experience. At B&S we believe our partnership with Thomson Cruises goes beyond doing just business, it is being part of a family. With our eyes focused on the future, we are anxious to broaden our presence within cruise retail.”

bs-wins-thomson-supplier-award
Maritime milestone: B&S Managing Director Maurice Riegel (left) and Business Unit Manager Retail Sjoerd van Hout (right) accept the award from Thomson Cruises Managing Director Richard Sofer (left centre) and Director for Distribution and Cruise Helen Caron (right centre)

In recent years Thomson Cruises and B&S have established a strategic partnership built on “exceptional customer service and supply chain network”, according to B&S. B&S has helped “professionalise and optimise” the offer and shopping experience onboard Thomson Cruises ships, said the partners.

Thomson Cruises is a division of TUI UK Ltd, a member of TUI Group, one of the world’s leading leisure travel companies.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine