Parking key to appeal of high street
Parking and range of goods most important factors for shoppers when visiting local high street, survey reveals.
A recent survey conducted by The Leadership Factor on behalf of SME Insurance Services has clarified the importance upon which shoppers place on the price of parking and the range of goods on offer in deciding whether or not they will shop locally.
Two thirds of shoppers would be more likely to visit their local high street if parking was free or less expensive, while 28 percent of those surveyed also said that the local high street would be a more attractive shopping destination if parking was less stressful.
The research posed a range of questions to 2,000 UK adult consumers and elicited a number of results: nearly a third (29 percent) of consumers would be more likely to take to the high street if prices were lower, and more than a third said they would go out if they were guaranteed to get everything they need (37 percent).
A number of the results focused on ease of access with 17 percent saying that they would be more likely to shop on the high street if getting into town was easier, with a further six percent hoping for a more child-friendly experience.
The survey also delved into the most common bad shopping habits, by asking consumers to identify poor behaviours they have witnessed or been guilty of. Putting things back in the wrong place topped the results at 40 percent, closely followed by nipping back for other items when already at the till (32 percent).
Talking on a mobile phone at the till was another common offence committed by shoppers with 24 percent cutting queues, and 23 percent also parking in a disabled space without a relevant badge.
Broken down by gender, women are most likely to be guilty of nipping back to retrieve forgotten items when already at the till, while more men admit to parking in a disabled space when they shouldn’t.
The research also suggests that younger people exhibit worse shopping behaviours than older shoppers, with 45 percent of responding 18-24 year olds admitting to cutting queues, and 29 percent of 25-34 year olds returning items which they have already used or worn.
What would make people more likely to visit their local high street?
If parking was free or less expensive 66%
If they could get everything they need 37%
If prices were lower 29%
If parking was less stressful 28%
If getting into town was easier 17%
If it was easier to navigate 16%
If the shops were less busy 16%
If it took less time 13%
If customer service was better 12%
If it was easier for my children 6%
The UK’s worst shopping habits
Putting things back in the wrong place 40%
Nipping back for other items when already at the till 32%
Talking on a mobile phone at the till 25%
Cutting queues 24%
Parking in a disabled space without the relevant badge 23%
