Redefining the relationship between parking technology and retail

Leading parking solutions provider Parkeon is transforming the relationship between parking technology and retail to enhance the experience of consumers and help drive footfall in towns and cities.

The company is using Parkex 2015 to showcase systems capable of delivering functionality way beyond the collection and management of parking revenues – with terminals configured to provide special offer retail couponing to consumers, information to visitors and event ticketing options.

By harnessing cloud and app technology, Parkeon’s Strada PAL terminals are able to operate as multi-service kiosks to enhance the relationship between parking and retail brands.

“The worlds of retail, public information and parking are converging at a rapid pace,” says David Lloyd, Parkeon Marketing Manager. “The capability of our technology to enhance the parking service experience through point of sale promotion and information is almost limitless. New services can be developed and introduced using this technology platform, in areas such as brand offers, transport information, local authority announcements and visitor guides.”

This functionality is being well received by parking operators and scheme owners because of the opportunities it opens up in the retail environment, with local businesses and shops able to offer product discounts and special promotions through parking terminal-printed coupons.

The couponing service provides all P&D users (pedestrians and motorists) with the ability to print and use discount vouchers redeemable immediately within easy distance of the parking terminal, offering good deals for consumers and a new marketing channel for retailers and other businesses.

“And when a database of subscribers is added to these scenarios, we open up a world in which parking, retail and membership/loyalty programmes are inextricably linked – enabling personalised offers to be ‘pushed’ through our Whoosh! MPP app or at the parking point-of-sale,” says David Lloyd.

Shanaaz Carroll, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Town and City Management, commented: “Car parking in and around town centres has been widely recognised as a key factor in the vibrancy of town centres and high streets. It is vital that we align car parking strategies closer to rapidly changing consumer trends shaping our town and city centres and take account of more local shopping patterns and accessibility. New, creative and technology-led solutions that meet the needs of consumers and retailers, such as those being developed by Parkeon, are to be welcomed.”

About Parkeon

Parkeon is a key player in the sector of urban mobility. By providing a single offer encompassing parking management solutions and ticketing solutions for public transport, Parkeon is now present in 55 countries and is accelerating its growth in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, Latin America and North Africa. Parkeon’s capacity for continuous innovation is demonstrated every day. Systems and equipment provided by Parkeon facilitate management and mobility in more than 3,500 cities. Parkeon employs over 1,000 employees worldwide and achieved revenues of $240 million in 2013.