One thing to understand as someone in the know with everything Co-Op Group, can tell you each segment and arm of Co-Op Travel has different managers and decision makers.
Co-Op Travel RETAIL has basically been sold off and franchised to Cooks. Cooks own the co-op Travel retail branding franchise and operate the stores on behalf on representation of co-op travel, just like any TC branch but in co-op travel orange. The bmibaby tie-in is to allow the outsourcing of the other arrangements. If bmibaby did their own holidays like Jet2, it'd instantly become a need for more staff, training and infrastructure investment. This is basically bmibaby flights and hotels etc arranged by co-op. Like when you visit the Thomas cook website and book a trip like I do with a different airline but accommodation from the large TC selection. Also means baby don't need to litigate in ATOL, which co-op is already covered by and deals with.
Also, Co-op Travel is the big brand under the main co-operative group. The Co-op Holidys was created by the Midlands Co-operative as their own income umbrella to the core co-op travel.
Last edited by JSCL; 17th Aug 2011 at 20:04.