A growing trend has recently emerged: small and medium-sized businesses have started relying on business self-storage units. Why? To streamline operations, cut logistics costs, boost efficiency, maximise customer satisfaction, and make more profits.
If the trend has you wondering, “Can you run a business out of a storage unit?”, keep reading to get more insights.
What types of businesses can operate from a storage unit?
Online retailers, small-to-medium business owners, and manufacturers facing inventory storage and management challenges can do business out of storage units.
- Online retailers (selling manufactured or imported products on various online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and Myntra)
- Small business owners (designing, manufacturing, and selling products like custom apparel, personalised journals, home decor, handcrafted jewellery, and pet supplies under their brand)
- Manufacturers (textile, electronics, footwear, or stationery supplies manufacturers making bulk shipments to distributors selling to wholesale and retail stores)
Additionally, service-based businesses and freelancers can rent a business self-storage unit to safeguard their business materials.
- Service-based businesses (IT and law firms, event planners, sports club or gym operators, estate agents, and photo studio owners with bulky equipment, props, documents, and more)
- Freelancers (Painters, sculptors, ceramic artists, architects, videographers, content creators, and musicians with WIP and finished pieces, materials, tools, and gear)
Remember that the above list is not exhaustive. If your business is not mentioned and you wonder whether it can benefit from renting a storage unit, discuss it with our space experts!
Legal and facility restrictions of running a business out of a storage unit
Self-storage facilities are designed solely for storing and managing your business inventory, assets, documents, and marketing materials. It’s important to understand that specific restrictions exist on how these spaces can be used. To give you a better idea, here are some key limitations you must be aware of:
- It’s not an office: One of the most common customer queries is, “Can I work out of a storage unit?” The short answer is no, it is not possible to use your storage unit as an office space.
- It’s not a storefront: You cannot treat the storage facility as a shop for customers to visit and pick up their orders.
- Storage of hazardous, living, and perishable goods is prohibited: You cannot store fireworks, chemicals, fresh food, plants, or related items.
Benefits of using business self-storage units
Why operate your business out of storage units? Here are three excellent reasons you should know:
- Flexible storage options: Self-storage facilities can meet all your needs, whether you need a small or large storage space for a short or long period.
- Complete safety and security of goods: You can be at complete peace of mind knowing your goods are protected in facilities with 24/7 CCTV, biometric access control, pest control, and modern safety systems.
- Affordable inventory management and order fulfilment solution: Safe and organised inventory storage can be a real challenge if you operate your business out of your home, a small office, or a co-working space. As a result, you may have to rent extra space, hire additional staff, and partner with a fulfillment service to manage customer orders. It takes time and energy and, most importantly, increases operational costs. On the other hand, renting a business self-storage unit typically involves a fixed, reasonable monthly fee. Many self-storage facilities, such as Space Valet, help streamline your operations by supporting packing, labelling, and delivery services.
Practical tips for using self-storage for business operations
Running a business out of a storage unit may seem intimidating, but the following tips can help you get started:
- Research multiple storage facilities and review parameters such as safety and security features, storage flexibility, packaging quality, pick-up and drop-off services, customer service, and client reviews.
- Choose the right unit size that comfortably accommodates your business inventory, equipment, and other supplies.
- Review your inventory regularly to keep track of your raw materials and finished products to avoid understocking or overstocking.
- Visit the storage unit regularly to ensure everything is in good condition.
- Coordinate with the storage facility staff for quick and efficient order fulfillment.
Ready for business out of storage units? Space Valet can help!
Business owners seeking secure, smart self-storage solutions trust Space Valet in Mumbai and Bangalore. And if you, too, choose to partner with us, we’ll ensure complete support throughout all stages of your business storage journey!
In short, we will help you book the right business self-storage unit, pick up your inventory and any other goods from your place, inventory everything digitally, receive your orders, pack and label them, and deliver them to the correct location with our courier partners. Need more information? Contact our space experts today!
