Waitrose is rolling out the Flowbird mobile parking app at 17 of its stores to make parking faster, touchless and more convenient for the retailer’s growing customer base.
Waitrose launched the Flowbird app in March at stores in Balham, Wallingford and Wells and, following positive customer feedback, is extending the service to 14 additional locations, including Peterborough, Guildford, Sevenoaks, Enfield and Monmouth.
Flowbird terminals are already installed at the stores, but the mobile app is now being offered to speed up the parking process and make payments cashless and more convenient for customers. App users book their parking session on arrival and automatically receive a reminder when it is due to end. They then have the option to extend their stay remotely.
The app also includes functionality that enables Waitrose customers to redeem their parking fee based on an in-store spend threshold.
Louise Pitt, Operations Manager at Waitrose, commented: “We’re pleased to continue working with Flowbird and to launch their app into more of our branches. Over the last year, we’ve listened to feedback from our customers and seen an increase in demand for the option of contactless payments within our own car parks, so we’re delighted to be able to support more of our customers and offer this service in an additional 14 Waitrose shops.”
Steve Jones, Flowbird Digital Solutions Product Manager, added: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Waitrose through the rollout of the Flowbird app in support of the retailer’s cashless parking strategy.
“The app offers parking and payment convenience for users, which enhances the customer experience for Waitrose, while at the same time addressing concerns some consumers may have in touching terminals in the current environment. It is testament to our excellent working relationship that we have been able introduce the app to the stores in such a short space of time.”
About Flowbird
Flowbird is a global leader in parking and transportation systems, operating in over 60 countries. The company is the largest manufacturer of parking systems in the world.
In the UK, Flowbird employs 250 people in six locations, including 50 field engineers, which positions the business as market leaders. This is reflected in the 35,000 Flowbird terminals installed in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Flowbird technology is renowned for its reliability and configuration flexibility, enabling customers to tailor parking services specifically to the needs of end users. This offer is future-proof through advanced digital services in areas such as EV charging and environmental monitoring, and by offering comprehensive payment modules, including contactless bank cards, apps and white labelled online billing. Ninety percent of its terminals are solar powered.
The company’s portfolio also includes web-based back office systems that provide complete estate-wide monitoring and reporting of terminal performance, along with in-depth analytics to inform future parking and transportation ticketing strategies.
Holly brings a wealth of experience in both print and digital publishing. As Modern Retail’s Content Editor, Holly is passionate about helping independent retailers to thrive in today’s ever-changing market.
