The classification of parks
Our previous research has lead us to conclude that Planning User, (as shown in the definition of Types of Retail Parks) and the generation of footfall to Retail Parks is a major determinate of running costs.
Last year, contributors were able to provide enough information to enable a detailed analysis and this year all Parks in the research have been classified.
This allows us to determine the dominant classification of a given Park, namely:
- Bulky Goods Parks (65%+ of unit users in 'Bulky Goods').
- Retail Parks (under 30% unit users in 'fashion' and clothing and not above 65% of unit users in 'Bulky Goods').
- Shopping Parks (30%+ of unit users in 'fashion' and clothing or usually found in high street locations, but not more than 65% in 'Bulky Goods').
The change in the size and makeup of the database has made revision of the Shopping Park classification appropriate this year. At the 'top end', Shopping Parks have many of the characteristics of shopping centres although they do not align directly with any of that market's categories. This is an area for research in future years.
CHART 1
Classification of parks - reconciled costs
CHART 2
Classification of parks - budgeted costs
