EV chargers are driving a retail park renaissance

Elizabeth Warren of Mer explains how installing EV chargers can create value for customers, tenants, and landlords

The changing face of retail parks is helping them stay relevant for end-customers who are increasingly looking for destination experiences. 

There’s a strong and growing demand for out-of-town retail park spaces, with new occupiers looking to rent locations away from their traditional in-town sites and capitalise on the demand seen at these shopping destinations. At just 6.2%, vacancy rates for retail parks are low alongside strong tenant demand and increased sales volumes.

As a consequence, and with all of these retailers to satisfy, it’s important for commercial landlords to do all they can to increase end-customer dwell times while also finding new ways to generate revenue at their sites. 

With retail parks traditionally most accessible by car, electric vehicle (EV) charging is an ideal way to encourage more – and longer – visits.  

The growth and relevance of retail parks and charging demand

Retail parks have undergone quite a shift over the last several years. Many have transformed from being places solely focused on DIY and sofa shops, toward full leisure destinations. It’s not uncommon to see travel agents, gyms and hairdressers alongside retailers and supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, both of which have started renting more retail park space too.

The change in retail park makeup has led to customers spending more time there. And because of this, some brands have shifted their strategies to focus only on retail park locations. The luxury chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat is a prime example. Between 2024 and 2026 it will have launched 32 new stores, all of them in retail parks. 

Last year, head of customer marketing at Hotel Chocolat, Amy Harman, said: “That’s where we’re seeing footfall and demand. There’s more intent with consumers. They’re going for a day out and going for an experience.”

While retail parks have undergone this change, there’s been an increasing number of drivers switching to electric vehicles for private transport. And this trend will continue to grow, as to achieve its legally binding commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, the UK must decarbonise domestic transport, which at 29.1% is currently its largest source of emissions.

Road transport accounts for 89% of that share; successive governments have been committed to tackling this through legislation such as the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

Ultimately, this means EVs are here to stay, presenting both an opportunity and an obligation for commercial landlords. Within the next 25 years it’s estimated the UK will reach 37 million EVs. Retail parks need infrastructure to attract and support this growing customer base, and retailers want to be located where those customers go. Their parking needs to be relevant to the lives of future consumers.

The challenge of charging 

EV charging at retail parks has great potential, offering customers, retailers, and commercial landlords significant benefits. Customers can charge, retailers get more footfall, and commercial landlords can receive revenue from their chargers while preparing their sites for the near future of fully electrified transport.

Adding EV chargers is perceived to be complex, but most landlords don’t install or manage their own chargers, instead working with an experienced EV charging solution provider. However, there are still some things that landlords will need to consider.

EV chargers – especially rapid and ultra-rapid points – demand significant power. A site’s existing grid connections might not be sufficient, in which case landlords will need to work with the distribution network operator (DNO) to upgrade. This can be time-consuming and expensive without the right support, and electrical designs can be pushed back multiple times, further delaying the process.

Likewise, the location, number and type of chargers should suit both user demand and the site’s grid connection. Too few chargers and you won’t meet end-customer needs, while too many can lead to bay wastage – and unnecessary carbon emissions from the installation process. As a result, a detailed analysis of dwell-times and driver behaviour is recommended, as it can help determine; how many chargers are needed, and what speed, whether they need load-management technology, and even whether they would benefit from co-located solar panels and batteries.  

Case study: Success at Maybird Shopping Park 

Despite the layers of complexity, many charge point operators offer turnkey solutions for commercial landlords, helping them to build future-fit infrastructure while avoiding the headaches. 

The Maybird Shopping Park in Stratford-Upon-Avon is one recent example of this approach in action. Managed by Federated Hermes, and home to a mix of new and old retail park tenants, this site needed EV charging points to support its customers and meet their ESG commitments. 

Mer installed five ultra-rapid charge points at the site, providing up to 10 drivers with the ability to charge while they shop. The project was end-to-end managed by Mer, including the planning, grid connection, and installation. Mer is also responsible for the ongoing charger and customer management.

The chargepoints help to attract EV customers to the Maybird Shopping Park and increase dwell times for the EV customers there. On top of this, they generate steady, passive revenue for the site as drivers charge. 

What works at one retail park is not strictly replicable at another. Each site differs due to the layout of the site, the electrical grid infrastructure available, and the estimated demand from EV drivers. Yet the right partner can help landlords systematically roll-out charge points across many of their sites. Federated Hermes  is installing charging infrastructure at sites within its retail park portfolio, and Mer is providing a turnkey solution for each. 

The Maybird Shopping Park case shows how EV charging can future-proof retail spaces and attract customers. As EV adoption rises, retail parks that invest in charging infrastructure will stay relevant and competitive, meeting both tenant and consumer needs while creating long-term value for site owners and local communities alike.

Elizabeth Warren is director of public charging at Mer