The out-of-town retail sector is booming. With footfall high and space at a premium, retail parks across the UK are seeing new operators of all shapes and sizes pop up in car parks, Portakabins and shipping containers.

Bespoke hairdressers and higher end food offers such as handmade pizzas are two examples of the type of occupier looking for small, self-contained space at retail parks. They require semi-permanent structures, marking a move away from the transient nature of the burger van. Similarly, cash-for-clothes companies and non bricks-and-mortar businesses such as WeBuyAnyCar.com have been keen to get involved. And it’s not unheard of for bigger retailers to occupy these cabins and containers too: examples include Halford’s car shops, Morrison’s flower shops and other special sales linked to calendar activity.

Many of our landlord clients are actively seeking this sort of extra service or offer to include on their retail parks, but what are the benefits for them? While not always a direct footfall generator, the right operator can enhance overall dwell time, attract a broader customer base and improve the overall shopping experience. As they are often located on car parking spaces, such operators are generally only brought to schemes which can accommodate their foot plate without having a detrimental impact on customer parking.

We are seeing more and more opportunities for this type of short-term operation being added to parks at the design stages. On older schemes, where refurbishments are ongoing, kiosk units are being considered more frequently, based upon the location of the scheme, its relative popularity and special availability.

The key for landlords is to ensure that the right balance is struck and new operators must be assessed on their individual merits, including what they can bring to the park from an experiential perspective as well as the aesthetic appearance and income.

Further information

Contact Savills Retail and Leisure.