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7 STEPS TO SETTING UP A CONTAINER SELF STORAGE BUSINESS

External container storage is a growing market segment and a hot topic in the self storage industry. There are many reasons for this, including strong customer demand. Furthermore, external, relocatable storage units are perfect for utilising unused land. They can be installed in areas you wouldn’t traditionally build on, allowing storage companies to maximise lettable space and rental income. External storage units can be a great addition to an existing storage facility with outdoor space. And if you’re new to self storage, this is a cost-effective solution to test the waters. We have compiled a list of things to consider to ensure your external units business is a success: 1. Research the local market for suitable sites that fit the criteria of convenience and ease of access. It is also important to survey the competition and assess the demand. If you already have a traditional self storage site, explore whether there is demand for external storage units as well. 2. Check planning permissions in your local area and seek professional advice, if required. 3. Calculate predicted revenue based on the maximum number of storage units you would be able to install. Liaise with an experienced supplier that can advise you on the best design, product and unit mix for the available land. 4. Opt for high-quality, versatile, and relocatable products that will be attractive, durable, and not costly in maintenance to make sure you derive long-term value from your investment. It is essential that the products have sufficient ventilation to prevent condensation. Also, if you have an existing site, external unit doors can be produced in the same brand colours as the rest of the business to ensure a consistent look. 5. Consider environmental sustainability. Whether you’re planning a standalone or add-on external storage site, it is advisable to include recycling points, LED lighting and utilising units made from durable and more eco-friendly coloured steel such as GreenCoat Pural BT. 6. Install the best possible site security and CCTV for peace of mind. Another security factor to consider is sufficient lighting for your site. 7. Draw up a marketing plan that includes a great website with good photography, up-to-date information as well as relevant Search Engine Optimisation to ensure customers find your business. Prominent, professional external signage is also important.   In addition, if you’re an existing container operator interested in updating your shipping containers, we can do that too! The Janus Container Upgrade Kits enable the installation of our roller doors on containers, with the option to include the game-changing NokÄ“ Smart Entry system. For further advice and information about the Janus International range of external storage units and conversion kits, please get in touch on: sales@januseurope.com or +44 (0) 20 8744 9444. CONTACT US DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

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UK Self Storage Industry Report 2024

Introducing the freshly released 2024 UK Self Storage Industry Report, compiled by the SSA UK in collaboration with Cushman & Wakefield. This report offers invaluable insights into industry metrics, sheds light on public perception of self storage, and serves as an essential reference for both investors and operators alike. The research includes a thorough overview of the current market landscape and the most recent trends. Additionally, the report delves into critical factors influencing the industry landscape, offering actionable intelligence to inform strategic decision-making processes.   Key insights: £1.08B annual industry turnover. 60m sq. ft of self storage space in the UK, with an 8.1% increase in storage capacity over the last year. Industry churn rate was 98%, up from 81% last year. Occupancy rates were down 2.5 percentage points in 2023. Average rental returns £26.23 per sq. ft, up 1% to the previous year. Only 4% of customers are not happy with their self storage solution. Internal stores account for 84%, while container-based ones make up the remaining 16% of the market. Additionally, there was a 5% rise in operators showing interest in mixed-use development. 25% of businesses are actively using AI. More development to come with 44% of operators planning to invest in new sites. For further information about the Janus International range of self storage solutions, please get in touch on: sales@januseurope.com or +44 (0) 20 8744 9444. If you are keen to explore further, the full report is available for download here. Source: SSA UK/ CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD CONTACT US DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

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FEDESSA European Annual Industry Report 2023

The European Annual Industry Report 2023, produced by FEDESSA in partnership with CBRE was released this week. Oliver Close, Alice Marwick and Callum Paddock from CBRE presented the findings at the FEDESSA Conference & Trade Show in Rotterdam. The report gives a comprehensive overview of the current state of the market and the latest trends. It contains valuable insights into public perception of self storage and is a great reference point for investors and operators in this dynamic market. Europe’s self storage industry now has 6,929 stores in operation, totalling 13.9 million sqm in gross area. UK dominates by store count with a 32.9% market share, followed by France (13.4%) and Germany (10.9%) 2023 Key Findings: Despite recent economic challenges, the self storage market continues to perform strongly with a healthy level of investor interest. The average rent per sqm in Europe has fallen from €290 last year to €286. Across Europe the average occupancy rate was down from 80.2% last year to 78.5% this year. 45% of the public have not heard of self storage and 31% have heard of self storage, but know nothing about the sector. The UK and Sweden have the highest public awareness and understanding of the self storage market. Signage and Local Marketing enquiries were up by 40%. The industry’s online presence has seen significant improvement with: 81% of stores providing online bookings. 18% of operators planning website improvements. Remote management has grown to 26%. Operators remain optimistic: 68% are expecting occupancy rate to increase. 87% are expecting improvement in profits. 73% of operators think sustainability is an important factor. Source: FEDESSA/CBRE REQUEST A QUOTE READ THE REPORT

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WILL AI TRANSFORM THE SELF STORAGE INDUSTRY?

Everyone is talking about AI, but what exactly is it..?! In a nutshell, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the technology that enables machines to sense, comprehend, act, and learn with human-like levels of intelligence. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision. You have probably come across conversational AI in virtual assistants such as Siri or Alexa. Other commonly used AI include customer service chatbots that can answer customer questions and automate routine tasks. AI technology provides the ability to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and optimise resource allocation and can therefore be a powerful tool for self storage businesses to improve revenue and efficiency. In fact, many experts argue that AI has already started to transform the industry. In this blog post, we will explore how AI can be leveraged to drive growth and maximise profits. 1. Smart Facility Design: AI can help self storage facilities optimise their layout, ensuring that units are used most efficiently and that the facility can accommodate changing customer needs.2. Intelligent Pricing Strategies: One way AI can boost revenue is through intelligent pricing strategies. By analysing market trends, customer demand, and competitor pricing, AI algorithms can determine optimal rates for storage units in real-time. This dynamic pricing approach ensures that units are priced competitively, maximizing occupancy rates and revenue.3. Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide personalised customer support, answer enquiries, and guide customers through the rental process. By offering 24/7 assistance, self storage facilities can enhance the customer experience, improve satisfaction levels, and increase the likelihood of repeat business.4. Demand Forecasting and Inventory Management: AI algorithms can analyse historical data, weather patterns, and other relevant factors to accurately predict demand for storage units. By understanding demand fluctuations, self storage facilities can optimise their inventory management, ensuring the right unit sizes are available at the right time. This proactive approach minimises vacancies and increases revenue potential.5. Security: AI-powered surveillance systems with facial recognition technology can enhance security by detecting unauthorised access and suspicious activities. By promptly alerting staff, these systems can prevent theft or damage, instilling trust in customers and attracting more business. 6. Data-Driven Decision Making: AI algorithms can process and analyse vast amounts of data collected from various sources, such as customer behaviour, market trends, and operational metrics. By extracting valuable insights, self storage facility managers can make data-driven decisions to optimise operations, marketing strategies, and resource allocation. This data-driven approach helps identify areas for improvement, leading to increased revenue and profitability.7. Proactive Maintenance: AI can monitor equipment and systems within the storage facility, such as HVAC and security systems, to detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate potential failures. By proactively addressing maintenance issues, self storage facilities can reduce downtime, prevent costly repairs, and ensure a smooth operation for both customers and staff. So, will AI transform self storage? Implementing AI in self storage facilities has the potential to significantly improve revenue and efficiency. Embracing AI technologies not only positions self storage facilities as cutting-edge and customer-centric but also enables them to stay ahead of the competition in a rapidly evolving industry. Nonetheless, while AI offers numerous benefits, it’s still crucial to strike a balance between automation and human interaction to provide a personalised experience that fosters customer loyalty and trust. By adopting AI where it adds most value, self storage facilities can unlock their full revenue potential and thrive in the digital era. We will no doubt see more ground-breaking innovation and application of AI technology in the very near future. References: https://www.insideselfstorage.com/technology/what-exactly-does-ai-tool-chatgpt-know-about-self-storage-read-qa-find-out https://www.radiusplus.com/post/how-ai-can-be-effective-in-the-self-storage-industry/https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt   For further information about the Janus International range of self storage and access control solutions, please get in touch on: sales@januseurope.com or +44 (0) 20 8744 9444. CONTACT US DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

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