Barrhead bosses return to shop floor on record-breaking Saturday
James ChappleBarrhead Travel’s bosses rolled back the years at the weekend, returning to the shop floor on Saturday (28 January) on what proved to be the Scottish independent’s best-ever sales day.
President Jacqueline Dobson and sales and marketing director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell were among 18 head office colleagues – including directors, heads of department and other head office employees – who got a reminder of life on the shop floor where some started their careers.
In anticipation of another busy peaks Saturday, a pay-day Saturday no less, the team were on hand to provide additional sales resource, manage waiting areas and meet and greet excited clients.
The day got under way with a company-wide briefing from Dobson and Tempest-Mitchell, with Saturday’s business eventually topping Barrhead’s previous record day – set earlier this month. It also contributed to what will be the independent’s strongest monthly performance in its history.
Dobson spent her Saturday at Barrhead’s Livingston branch, situated in a busy shopping centre. "What a day," she said. "The atmosphere in the branch was phenomenal, and I know this was echoed in our stores across the country.
“What struck me most was how committed people are to booking holidays right now – they are determined to get trips locked in as quickly as possible. We had queues of people almost all day with a mix of loyal and new-to-brand customers."
Dobson added: "Days like Saturday remind me how hard our teams work and how much our customers value their knowledge. I forgot just how high the energy can be in branch, particularly on a payday weekend in January. There’s something really special about seeing how the team comes together to support each other and celebrate a successful day."
Branches were also challenged to a TikTok "Clap Clap" dance-off, made famous by Glasgow TikToker Gary Paterson, and shared across Barrhead social media. Paterson spotted the teams’ efforts and made a surprise appearance at Barrhead’s Oswald Street store in Glasgow to film the dance, with his video already racking up almost 400,000 views.
Tempest-Mitchell, who spent the day in Burnley and got a family summer holiday to Florida and a Lapland trip over the line, added: "It was incredible being back on the shop floor, putting myself in the shoes of one of our travel consultants. I spent many years working in retail, so it was good to get back to my routes and I even sold a few holidays.
"We’re at a pivotal point in travel industry recovery. Sales have been fantastic and I can’t remember a time where appetite for travel was so high. For me, that’s why it was so important to get back to branch now and understand exactly what a day looks like for our agents so we can see what’s working well and what learnings we can take away."
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