With a click of a button, we can restock our pantry, purchase new clothes, snag that perfect birthday present for our mom, and even replace our printer cartridges – all from the comfort of our couch. And while it seems that we can purchase almost anything online these days, smart retailers know there are times when there’s no substitute for that in-person experience. To compete with online juggernauts like Amazon, many brick-and-mortar stores have started to capitalize on the factors that encourage customers to leave their computer behind and visit their location – human interaction, sensory experiences, and social engagement.
Wine tasting, food samples, and even a “happy hour” have been used by grocery stores to turn the weekly chore of food shopping into a pleasant leisure activity. Home improvement retailers offer instructional workshops to lure in customers. And leaders in the restaurant industry entice diners with live music, themed dining, occasional freebies, and meet-and-greet events with the chef. That takes care of the inside, but what about the outside?
YOUR PARKING LOT IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE
As retailers seek to add value with their in-store offerings, it’s crucial to make sure a customer’s experience is enjoyable from start to finish. When shoppers decide to leave their couch and venture out to your store, you want to make sure their overall impression is a great one.
Your parking lot is the first area encountered, and creating that memorable experience starts the moment a customer drives onto your lot. A parking lot exhibiting signs of neglect will have a profound negative impact on guests before they walk through the door – and may even prompt them to take their business elsewhere.
On the other hand, a store or restaurant with a well-maintained parking lot is typically perceived as being better managed, cleaner, and more trusted. These positive associations extend across the brand, especially if there are multiple locations.
The asphalt in your parking lot, however, takes a beating even under the best of conditions. Without regular maintenance, a pavement’s foundation will break down and result in potholes or alligator cracking — eventually reaching a point where it must be completely replaced. Hiring a professional to routinely repair cracks, apply sealer, and perform re-striping can help prolong your parking lot’s lifespan — and improve the curb appeal of your business.
When more and more of our lives are lived online, it is increasingly important to attract and retain customers who make the effort to visit in person. If your parking lot is in need of a facelift, our team can help. Although the struggle between online and brick-and-mortar is an ongoing battle, together we can win over customers and keep driving business to your door. Ready? Let’s Pave!
