The Hays Travel branch in Sutton is gaining traction through its feature in a national television advert. This strategic move aims to bolster its local and regional presence, drawing in more customers from southwest London and beyond.
The 30-second commercial, which runs on ITV until August, highlights the Sutton location and showcases staff engaging in travel-related activities. This heightened visibility is expected to drive footfall and inquiries at the Sutton branch.
Boosting Local Presence Through TV Exposure
The Hays Travel branch in Sutton is leveraging its appearance in a national TV advert to enhance its local and regional profile. The advert, which is currently running on ITV until August, showcases the shop as a backdrop and features eleven agents and staff from Hays Travel engaging in various holiday activities.
Manager Mike Fox, who observed the filming process, plans to capitalize on the advert’s reach by promoting the Sutton location on social media. He aims to extend awareness to areas like Twickenham, noting the absence of other Hays shops in southwest London and between Sutton and Harrow in north London.
Grand Reopening and Community Engagement
The Sutton branch, which reopened in October 2023 after a two-year hiatus and an official reopening in May, has already garnered nearly 600 enquiries. These initiatives have helped the branch build a new customer database from scratch.
Fox highlighted the success of their open day, which featured the mayor, champagne, and music, describing it as a significant event that elevated the store’s profile. “There was such a buzz,” he remarked. “We’ve now got connections with the local community and are establishing ourselves on social media.”
Innovative Marketing Strategies
The Sutton branch is actively employing innovative marketing strategies to engage the local community. These efforts include placing details of the TV advert on Facebook and organizing activities in collaboration with a local charity.
In one such initiative, the shop has hidden ten books within the store for children to find, aiming to attract more families. Such creative tactics are crucial for generating interest and increasing footfall.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaborations with local entities have been pivotal in enhancing the branch’s visibility. The shop teamed up with a local charity to organise family-centric activities, thereby fostering community relations and drawing more families into the store.
Mike Fox believes these partnerships are instrumental in not only raising the store’s profile but also in diversifying their customer base. This approach has already shown promising results in customer engagement.
Expansion Plans and Future Prospects
The Sutton branch employs a team of six, including a new-to-travel employee, and there are plans to recruit another consultant and an apprentice this summer. These additions will bolster the branch’s capacity to handle an increasing number of enquiries and bookings.
Fox is optimistic about the branch’s potential to increase its cruise bookings, which currently account for less than 10% of sales. With a dedicated push towards this segment, the store aims to significantly enhance its market share.
Social Media and Direct Marketing
Promoting the branch through social media and direct marketing efforts has been a key focus. Utilizing platforms such as Facebook to share details of the TV advert, and engaging in maildrops to reach potential customers, has proven effective.
These strategies have helped generate footfall, and as Fox notes, customers have expressed surprise at the presence of a high-street travel agent. Such feedback indicates the success of these marketing efforts in raising the branch’s profile.
Customer Engagement and Feedback
Creating an inviting and engaging environment for customers is central to the branch’s strategy. Ensuring a positive customer experience not only encourages repeat business but also fosters word-of-mouth referrals.
Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many customers expressing delight at discovering a local travel agent. This reinforces the importance of maintaining high levels of customer service.
The Hays Travel branch in Sutton is strategically utilizing its TV advert feature to enhance its profile and attract customers. With innovative marketing strategies and strong community engagement, the branch is poised for significant growth.
By leveraging social media, direct marketing, and local partnerships, the Sutton branch is establishing itself as a key player in the region’s travel industry. The ongoing efforts to increase cruise bookings and expand the team further underscore their commitment to growth and customer service.
