Shopping centres

Transforming shopping centres into places to play and have fun

Faced with competition from e-commerce and new consumer habits that are increasingly focused on reasoned consumption that is more useful than wasteful, shopping centres, retail parks, franchises and outlet centres must find new ways to increase their attractiveness.
Today’s challenge is how to turn retail space into a welcoming place where the whole family has a good reason to come, stay and return. To do this, shopping centres must shift the focus from the pleasure of shopping, which is losing momentum, to the pleasure of taking a stroll. A stroll through the shopping centre should offer guests the opportunity to have a variety of experiences in different areas, such as shopping, restaurants and leisure.

Play areas are a natural extension of shopping centres’ strategic development and are a marketing tool to boost the entertainment factor. Whether it is installed indoors or outdoors, the play area is a focal point for families who need a break from shopping, want to spend time with their children and set off in good spirits towards new consumption habits.

Play areas, a marketing tool for shopping centres

Play areas have become an essential part of the shopping centres’ strategy, whether they are being created or in the process of renovation, which is to offer their clients a welcoming place that encourages well-being.
It is also a promotional tool for retail property owners, who will be able to promote this space and the financial benefits that will result from it to their tenants.

Play areas have become a major part of the multifaceted offer that the next generation of shopping centres provides. It integrates the client experience and naturally transforms the retail experience into a fun shopping adventure.

A comprehensive approach is required to successfully install a play area in the heart of a shopping centre or its outdoor car park.

The environment, use and appearance are factors that must be taken into account in order to provide a coherent and relevant solution.

Good questions to ask yourself

Here are a few key points to keep in mind, which Proludic’s expert teams include in their reflection and proposals for each play and sports area they are asked to design for the retail sector:

Environment

Adapting to the constraints and the complex process of renovation or creation within the framework of the building’s architecture.
In a shopping centre, use transparency so that clients can always see the shop windows of the nearby retailers in their field of vision, and stimulate the desire to enter the shops and buy things.

Use

Adapting the facilities to the age groups and the number of children in the shopping centre.
Diversifying play activities to increase children’s interest in play.
Providing a layout that can accommodate both children and parents.

Aesthetics

Creating a play area specifically for the client: creating a personalised themed space, blending in with the architectural identity of the shopping centre, sticking to the brand’s marketing concept, playing on the local identity, etc.
Leveraging a striking feature, like a large tower, to create surprise.
Standing out from the nearby play areas to attract families and make them want to come and enjoy their play area rather public play areas.

Proludic, your partner for a playful shopping experience

Proludic works with shopping centres, retail parks, franchises and outlet centres to help them increase their appeal by developing play areas and sports facilities.
Orange-les-Vignes shopping centre (Terranae group) in Orange (Vaucluse), Leclerc La Belle Vie shopping centre in Luçon (Vendée) and Saint-Grégoire (Finistère), Quai des Marques (Marques Avenue group) in Talange (Moselle) and Corbeil-Essonnes (Essonne), IKEA in Villiers-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne), Nova Eventis shopping mall (ECE Group) in Leipzig (Germany), Eperia shopping centre in Prešov (Slovakia), Les Rives de l’Ornes (Apsys Group) in Caen (Calvados)… Proludic has been involved in many projects with specific challenges each time.

A beautiful playground in the heart of Orange-les-Vignes shopping centre

An adapted product offer!

With a product offer encompassing more than 1,200 products, many themes, an exclusive Grafic Games personalisation technique and the ability to develop bespoke projects, Proludic offers solutions that are adapted and relevant in terms of atmosphere, aesthetic, size and play value.

Client testimonial – Leclerc “La Belle vie” – Luçon

We wanted to provide activities for children, which were sorely lacking in the city. We are very pleased with the work done this summer on the installation of this beautiful play area. This project was a great success for our shop, especially during July and August.
Romain Tanné, Communications Manager of the Leclerc in Luçon

To make your play area a success, Proludic is here from start to finish!

Proludic’s teams support every one of their clients from start to finish.
In addition to designing, manufacturing at our Vouvray site (in France), and installing the play or sport area, Proludic project-manages each play area project with overall, cross-disciplinary coordination, including installation of games, carrying out layout and landscape integration work, laying safety surfaces, after-sales service, servicing and maintenance.