Way Side Amenities (WSA)

Where there is a highWAY,

There will be a WSA !

Recently, when Beyond Squarefeet? Advisory Pvt. Ltd. , was appointed to handhold a national oil conglomerate to Conceptualize, Design & Plan WSA’s across various geographies, spread over 90+ acres of lands, we were amused to understand the importance of WSA, as a new trend in the Indian Market. We are confident that this new trend will impact the way people spend time on the highways !!!

Way Side Amenities (WSA), play a crucial role in offering a respite for travelers along highways. These rest stops serve as a haven for travelers looking to take a break from their journeys. A research conducted by "Beyond Squarefeet" states that the top three reasons for these pit stops usually being,

1. To avail themselves of restroom facilities
2. Satisfy hunger
3. Refuel their vehicles.

A significant transformation has occurred in India's highway landscape since 2013 when the total length of highways measured approximately 90,000 kilometers. Fast forward to 2023, and this network has expanded to a substantial 150,000 kilometers, driven by the concerted efforts of the current government to bolster the country's road infrastructure, and this shall continue to grow in the next one decade. As the network of highways continues to expand, so does the potential for the WSA sector to thrive, aligning itself with this road expansion. Essentially, more highways translate into more opportunities for WSAs to flourish.

Another pivotal factor contributing to the growth of the WSA sector is the surge in personal and public transportation on the roads, particularly the proliferation of cars and buses, outpacing the growth of commercial vehicles like trucks. This trend can be attributed to the increased affordability and accessibility of cars for the Indian population. Consequently, the influx of vehicles and the expansion of road networks are expected to further stimulate the establishment of WSAs in the foreseeable future. As a result, consumers gain yet another destination to spend their time and money, while also witnessing the organic growth of dining options along these expansive highways. This influx of consumers naturally attracts other businesses, including retail outlets and impulse purchase stores, to set up shop in these areas.

As the WSA sector continues to expand, these strategically designed facilities, equipped with essential amenities like fuel stations, food courts, restrooms, play areas, dormitories, first-aid stations, salons, sleeping pods, rest areas, and travel-related services such as tire shops, music stores, and clothing boutiques, will become increasingly prevalent at these new rest stops.

The proliferation of WSAs, however, poses a unique challenge for retailers. With WSAs becoming nearly ubiquitous, spaced at intervals of approximately 25-30 kilometers along highways, choosing the right WSA to engage with as a retailer can become a complex and time-consuming endeavor. As consumers increasingly flock to highways, retailers across various sectors, especially those in the food services industry, will encounter heightened competition. Recent research suggests that the average Indian car owner covers approximately 7,500 kilometers on highways each year, a figure that is poised to increase significantly with the ongoing development of improved road networks.

In summary, as India's highway network continues to expand, so does the reach of the WSA network, ushering in a wave of promising retail opportunities along these bustling thoroughfares especially for F&B and allied businesses.

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