In the retail industry, reputation relies on a business’s ability to provide customers with precisely what they are looking for, with products, services and amenities available where people expect to find them. 

After all, if a customer travels to a retail location and does not find what they need, the trip can be considered a failure, and the customer experience will be negatively affected. 

The same can be said for EV-driving customers who visit shopping centres and retail parks with the expectation that they can charge their vehicle during their stay with dependable charging hubs. 

Companies such as RAW Charging are experts in destination charging and an essential part of the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, which spans retail, leisure, and hospitality. 

RAW offers both AC charging and DC charging among its options, allowing site owners to choose a technology that best suits the needs of their location and customer base. For instance, a retail park with a cinema or bowling alley typically encounters longer stays and may benefit from AC chargers that accommodate extended dwell times. On the other hand, a site home to coffee shops or retail outlets with a higher traffic volume of customers coming and going would benefit from DC charging stations.

With over 1,500 retail parks in the UK and more than 680 shopping centres, we will examine how EV charging can improve retail customer experience and why you should look to RAW to help future-proof your site. 

Here is how partners like RAW Charging can help improve retail customer experience.

RAW enjoys long-standing and successful partnerships with notable retail powerhouses, including McArthur Glen, abrdn, Hammerson and Brent Cross, to name a few. 

This invaluable experience and first-hand knowledge of implementing EV charging facilities for large retail businesses makes RAW Charging the ideal partner. With seven years of operating as an integral part of the UK’s EV infrastructure, RAW has fine-tuned its operations and technology to offer the very best fully funded ownership options.

Fully-funded ownership offers:

• State-of-the-art charging technology

• Contactless payment solutions

• Zero outlay to your business

• Complete management of charging bay design and operation (meaning no time required from your staff)

• Revenue share

Why are EV charging facilities essential for retail businesses?

The global adoption rate of EVs has exponentially increased in recent years. Over 40 million EVs are now used globally, a significant 35% increase from the 26 million on the roads in 2022. 

With this rise in ownership comes the subsequent need for more EV charging facilities, a factor that retailers can use to make their site a more attractive and convenient destination for EV drivers. By implementing charging bays into their facilities, retail premises can ensure EV owners enjoy a carefree shopping experience and some much-needed retail therapy, knowing their vehicle is charging throughout their visit. 

Of course, this transition requires critical planning and considerations regarding the power supply and the number of charging bays needed. However, companies such as RAW Charging take care of this process within their fully-funded ownership. 

By investing in EV charging facilities, retailers can plug their premises into customer-enhancing amenities that will widen the appeal of their site, help them stand out from the competition and drive the growth of their customer base. 

The facts and figures supporting the need for retail EV charging.

A recent report from SMS that was conducted among EV drivers showed that:

• 45% of EV drivers depend on destination charging.

• 67% of drivers will choose a destination based on whether the site has EV charging facilities. 

• 48% of EV owners would not consider a retail site that does not offer EV charging.

• 68% of drivers surveyed shared that the lack of available public charging stations can be stressful. 

• 88% of EV drivers believe destination charging accessibility needs to be improved.

Retail businesses that have implemented EV charging into their amenities are already doing their bit to ease these concerns, and they are already seeing the benefits of offering these facilities to their customers.

Alongside earning additional revenue and promoting brand image as an eco-conscious and forward-thinking business, these businesses also improve customer experience and satisfaction.

How EV charging can enhance retail customer experience.

1. More convenience: As the survey data from SMS shows, the lack of access to public charging facilities can be stressful for many EV owners. Knowing that a retail site has convenient access to EV charging stations can be an important determinant when choosing a shopping destination. By providing this convenience, you can make your customers feel at ease and stress-free, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

2. Increased customer satisfaction: The needs of EV drivers are apparent, and by catering to these needs with dependable EV charging facilities, your business will undoubtedly increase customer satisfaction.

3. Cost-effective charging solutions: With on-site retail EV charging, your customers will avoid additional charging fees at off-site parking facilities, offering them convenience and value. By providing a cost-effective solution, you can make your customers feel valued and considered, enhancing their satisfaction with your business.

4. Improved customer loyalty: Retailers that offer EV charging facilities will show that catering to their customer’s needs is an essential consideration and part of their business. Doing so will increase brand reputation, return satisfied customers, and the potential to attract a new pool of customers. By highlighting the importance of your customers, you can make them feel appreciated and that they are essential to the future of your business.

5. Environmentally conscious: Climate change remains a hot topic that is not going away. With this in mind, it makes sense that many customers prioritise retail sites with sustainable credentials. By investing in EV charging facilities, you can attract a brand-new eco-conscious demographic.

What do EV drivers look for in EV charging facilities?

Generally speaking, there are three key factors that EV drivers will look for and expect when considering a retail site as their chosen destination. 

• Charge speed: Opting for the correct technology that offers efficient and reliable charging speeds is vital to a successful and dependable EV charging facility. Hosts such as RAW Charging offer turnkey solutions when installing rapid hubs and AC and DC EV charging on-site with minimal disruption to your business operations. With their fully funded ownership, all installation, hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance come at zero cost to the client.

• Availability: With more and more EVs on our roads each year, the competition for EV charge points can be highly contested. Retailers should assess the need for EV charging on their sites, ensuring that a sufficient number of charging stations are installed so that all EV drivers are catered for with stress-free charging.

• Cost: Offering EV charging at an attractive price point will increase your site’s appeal to EV drivers. The ease of contactless payment is also of enormous benefit to EV drivers on the go, a USP offered by RAW Charging that sets them ahead of many competitors yet to offer this technology, instead relying on motorists downloading a dedicated app, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. Consider your demographic (going off the calibre of stores and the affluence of your location is a good start), research your competitors, and study the market before deciding on EV charging fees. Doing so will ensure that customers are satisfied and promote your site as an EV-friendly destination.

Invest in the future of retail with EV charging facilities from RAW Charging.

Retail EV charging is now essential for businesses wishing to future-proof their business. 

RAW Charging is the ideal host partner to aid with this, who will understand your goals and work alongside you and your team to learn the needs of your retail business and deliver EV charging facilities that work for you. With a fully funded ownership model, state-of-the-art technology, and invaluable experience working with notable retail giants, RAW can lead you to a sustainable and secure future.

With their help, you can install the optimal number of rapid charging bays on your site with minimal disruption and zero stress, thanks to the RAW team taking care of all software and hardware installation, plus ongoing maintenance and support. Investing in these facilities will ensure that you are catering to the needs of existing and local customers while drawing in a new pool of EV drivers or environmentally-conscious shoppers from further afield. 

If you would like to improve customer experience and satisfaction, contribute to a greener future, and showcase your commitment to sustainable practices, contact RAW Charging for a free site assessment.