From high streets to retail parks, parking is the first touchpoint of the shopping journey — and when it runs smoothly, it drives stronger footfall, longer dwell times, and higher revenue. With BRC research showing that every extra 30 minutes on-site can add up to £20 in customer spend, Hozah’s automated, barrier-free solutions are transforming car parks into seamless entryways for shoppers and business assets for operators, with proven results across leading UK destinations.
From busy high streets to destination retail parks, the visitor experience starts long before shoppers step inside a store. For many sites, that first impression begins in the car park, and if it’s slow, frustrating, or unclear, it can put a dent in both footfall and spend.
At Hozah, we’ve helped retail destinations across the UK remove these pain points, turning parking into a seamless, revenue-driving part of the shopping journey.
From friction to flow: the retail parking challenge
Retail and shopping centre car parks face a unique set of challenges:
- High peaks in demand occur at weekends, sales periods, and events.
- Queue build-ups caused by outdated barriers or ticket machines.
- Manual processes for staff and tenant parking discounts.
- Lost revenue from payment avoidance or slow turnover of spaces.
These problems don’t just affect shoppers; they frustrate tenants, drain staff time, and impact a centre’s reputation. Our mission is to replace that friction with a smarter, smoother experience for everyone who uses your site.
Hozah’s retail-ready solution
Hozah’s parking ecosystem is built for the realities of retail. Using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and Autopay technology, we deliver:
- Barrierless entry and exit to keep vehicles moving.
- Automatic billing for registered drivers — no tickets, no payment queues.
- Instant tenant/staff rate application, removing manual admin.
- Custom tariffs and promotions to support events and seasonal campaigns.
- Rich parking data to inform centre management and marketing.
Retail in action: real results from our clients
Wellgate Shopping Centre, Dundee
In 2023, Wellgate was facing unreliable barriers and a complicated user process that frustrated shoppers and staff alike. Within weeks, Hozah delivered a full digital upgrade:
- New ANPR cameras and automated barriers.
- Multiple payment methods, including Autopay.
- Simplified permit sales for local businesses.
The impact: +22% revenue growth in the first quarter, reduced delays, and stronger partnerships with local gyms and educational institutions.
Eagles Meadow, Wrexham
Eagles Meadow needed to shake off a PCN-heavy legacy that was driving customers away. Hozah introduced an app-free, automated system that fairly charged shoppers, staff, and local professionals.
The impact: +21% increase in dwell time, +£200,000 annual parking revenue, fewer complaints, and a smoother customer journey from arrival to departure.
Festival Place, Basingstoke (launching 2025)
With multiple entrances and high weekend footfall, Festival Place wanted to remove congestion and make access faster for shoppers and staff. Hozah’s Autopay will:
- Keep rates the same while removing barriers.
- Introduce Tenant Rate AutoPay for staff.
- Support a local charity with every visit.
A tailored marketing campaign — including on-site promotions, social media, and targeted email — will ensure a smooth transition and high adoption rates.
Ongoing retail support
We know a successful parking system isn’t just about the tech — it’s about engagement. That’s why we partner with retail clients to deliver targeted campaigns, from seasonal promotions to prize draws, ensuring Autopay sign-ups remain high and customers understand the benefits.
Whether it’s aligning with a Halloween market, a Christmas shopping push, or a charity partnership, we make parking part of the story your customers remember.
The takeaway for retail operators
Barrier-free, fully automated parking doesn’t just make life easier for drivers — it boosts revenue, increases dwell time, strengthens tenant relationships, and improves customer satisfaction.
If you manage a shopping centre or retail park, Hozah can help you turn your car park from a bottleneck into a business asset.
Want to explore what Hozah could do for your retail site? Book a meeting now!
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