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Boost your shopping centre’s ROI with superior car park shade
The modern shopping experience is a far cry from days past.
Consumers are spoilt for choice and they are prepared to vote with their feet if they don’t like the shopping centre’s atmosphere or retail environment. First impressions count, so centre owners and managers must respond to shoppers’ needs – starting with car parks. Have you ever considered if your car park is actually losing business for you and your retailers because it is too hot or uncomfortable for families and their children? Your return on investment could be adversely affected if your car park shade structures are not up to the mark.
Providing quality car park shade sends a message to your shoppers that you care about their welfare. It is also likely to increase their stay time in the centre while contributing to a superior overall retail experience that attracts even more shoppers and premium retailers.
Installing car park shade at your shopping centre can increase your revenue in five key ways:
- Attracting new shoppers who appreciate that their cars will be protected from a harsh climate
- Maintaining shopper loyalty
- Keeping shoppers at the centre longer
- Increasing the street appeal of the centre
- Decreasing tenant vacancies
Conversely, a shopping centre with no shade for car parking – or a shabby structure – creates a negative feeling as soon as consumers drive into your outlet. Their likely response will be to limit their time in the shopping centre or, worse still, switch their loyalty to another centre that offers protection for their vehicle. The equation is simple – poor car parking shade structures result in lower shopper satisfaction, fewer consumers and less retail income for the centre. In today’s competitive markets, centre owners can’t allow that to happen.
Of course, not any old shaded car parking will do. Erecting quality shade structures that are designed to suit the particular needs of your shopping centre is essential. That means insisting on car parking shade structures that match your budget while delivering safety and longevity; it also means avoiding shade structures that are less resistant to vandalism and do not have an appropriate warranty.
Centre owners and managers who are considering erecting car park shade structures should factor in some important considerations when assessing designs and car parking shades suppliers:
- Will the structure truly meet your needs, such as targeting shade over an area at certain times of the day or year?
- Is the proposed structure secure and does it have the necessary safety clearances to ensure it cannot be accessed by unauthorised people?
- Have you received a vandalism risk assessment from your car parking shade supplier that includes issues such as anti-climbing devices and fire-retardant fabrics?
- Do you know how long your structure is likely to last and whether it will have features such as sealed caps and welded lugs that decrease the risk of rust damage?
- Is it structurally sound and properly engineered by a qualified and licensed shade company that provides you with site-specific drawings and a certificate of design for your structure?
- Have you checked that your shade supplier is suitably insured and will issue a proper warranty on your structure?
- Has the supplier outlined its design and construction process?
All of these issues are crucial to ensure that your car parking shades maximise the benefits for your shoppers and retailers while delivering the highest possible return on investment for the centre.
Greenline designs leading commercial shade structures that are within your budget and deliver the best possible outcomes. Our focus is on finding out what customers want and designing car park shade structures that suit their requirements, rather than just selling a standard product.
Contact us and find out how we can help your shopping centre get great car park shade sails that enhance your business results.
