Dubai Gets Smarter Parking at Select Spinneys and Waitrose with Parkin

Parkin brings smart parking tech to six Spinneys and Waitrose Dubai locations—2 hours free parking, digital access, and app integration for shoppers.

Parkin, Dubai's main public parking operator, is rolling out smart parking systems at six Spinneys and Waitrose locations. The setup went live in June 2024. You get two hours free, then hourly charges apply.

This is Dubai's biggest supermarket parking upgrade so far. If it works, expect more chains to follow.

What Changes for Shoppers

Parkin is installing tech at six branches (exact locations not disclosed yet). Here's what's different:

Automated gates — no more tickets to lose
Digital enforcement — cameras catch rule-breakers
Parkin app integration — check your time, pay fees, get reminders

First two hours are free. After that, you pay by the hour. Parkin hasn't announced exact rates, but expect something close to standard Dubai mall parking (typically Dhs 5-10 per hour).

The goal? Stop people camping in bays all day while actual shoppers circle the car park.

Why This Matters in UAE

Anyone who's tried parking at a Dubai supermarket during evening rush knows the chaos. Limited spots, people blocking lanes, cars parked across two spaces.

Parkin's betting that tech and time limits fix this. If congestion drops and turnover improves, more retailers will shift to managed parking.

The bigger picture: Dubai's pushing smart city tech beyond government services. Private companies like Parkin are taking on daily frustrations — parking, traffic, queues — with digital fixes.

We're likely to see similar deals across MENA. Public-private partnerships solving urban problems with tech and enforcement.

Who's Behind This

Parkin Company PJSC runs most of Dubai's paid public parking — street spots, multi-storey lots, now retail. The government backs them. They've been pushing digital-first with their app and cashless systems.

Spinneys and Waitrose are two of Dubai's busiest supermarket chains. Expats and Emiratis both shop there. Their car parks are packed, especially evenings and weekends. Makes sense as a test case.

What Happens Next

All six locations should have the system running by end of 2024. Parkin will install automated gates and enforcement cameras. App features roll out alongside.

Two hours free starts immediately. Paid rates kick in after that (exact tariff TBC).

If this works — less congestion, faster turnover — expect announcements from other chains. Carrefour, Lulu, Choithrams could be next. Free parking at Dubai supermarkets might become a thing of the past, even if the first two hours stay gratis.

UAE pricing and availability confirmed. Parkin app available on iOS and Android.