Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Parking Shade Affords Businesses Unique Commercial Benefits

Sarasota, FL—Retail businesses in the US and around the world have found a new way to gain an edge on competitors: Shaded Canopies. Cooling comfort, long sought by shoppers in sunny locations, does more than add to their convenience; it adds to a business’s bottom line.

From Argentina to Brazil, innovative international businesses tout the unique benefits of shaded parking which they strongly feel leads to increased life span of parking lot pavement, increased customer time spent shopping, and resultant increased consumer spending.

“The general feeling in the retail industry is that shaded parking has become a necessity, and many new stores now have shaded parking specified at their planning stage”, says shade structure expert and Apollo affiliate Wally Davey of Multiknit in South Africa. “ When talking to the management at the various retail outlets, they are concerned that if their store did not provide shaded parking, they would lose customers to those stores who did provide shaded parking” adds Davey.

US customers in sun-intensive areas from Arizona to Georgia agree and note other, more personal benefits: “Especially with small children, there is a great deal of time and effort spent starting up my car and letting the air conditioning run before exposing my children to a car that’s been sitting in the sun for an hour or more,” explains Alena Kelly, North Atlanta resident and mother of four. “Shaded parking is just smart business and very appreciated by the customer. Stores with shaded canopies just feel more upscale, like they really care about those who shop there” Kelly adds.

In addition to the pleasing aesthetics and comforts of shaded parking, there are also environmental and health benefits. “Global warming has created a new awareness of the heat island effect caused by converting green fields into parking lots,” states Apollo Sunguard President Kevin Connelly. “Apollo Sunguard is providing a cost effective way of reducing the impact of solar gain,” adds Connelly.

The shaded canopy design merges the wisdom of nature with the science of engineering. The result is a natural, cooling mechanism similar to that of a canopy of trees that turns shopping into a more pleasant experience…and has become the hottest new idea in customer satisfaction and sales.

About Apollo Sunguard

Apollo Sunguard Systems, Inc. of Sarasota, Florida is a privately-held, service disabled, veteran-owned business specializing in pre-engineered and custom designed shade structures. As shade innovators, their mission is to provide superior protection for solar radiation and heat, while promoting cool comfort, sun safety, healthy living and environment preservation.

Apollo proudly supports the sun safety movement by extending a 5% discount to all recipients of sunshade grant money, allowing recipients to stretch their grant awards. For more information on Apollo Sunguard Systems Inc., and its innovative shade solutions, please contact:

Linda Christensen

Vice President of Sales & Marketing

800-319-1010

Lchristensen@apollosunguard.com

www.ApolloSunguard.com

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