Extra Space Storage Inc.

10/07/2024 | News release | Archived content

Guide to Seasonal Storage for Businesses

Are you a business owner struggling to manage inventory during peak or off-peak seasons? There are many ways seasonal self storage can benefit your business -whether you're storing excess inventory, equipment, promotional materials, or other business items. Keep reading to learn more about how to use seasonal business storage!

Benefits of Seasonal Business Storage

Whether you're starting a business that will operate seasonally or expanding your current operations, renting a seasonal storage unit can help. Explore the perks of using commercial storage units for your seasonal business storage needs!

Cost-Effective Solution

Renting short-term self-storage during your company's busiest time of year is typically a more affordable solution than expanding your permanent business space. Extra Space Storage offers competitive business storage rates for both warehouse units and typical storage units, helping your business save money!

Improved Inventory Management

Having dedicated storage space makes it easier to keep track of what you have. Seasonal storage in particular allows you to manage your inventory during peak and off-peak seasons to help avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

Package Acceptance

Many storage facilities offer package acceptance, which can be hugely convenient for business owners-especially during busy seasons. With this service, your inventory shipments and other business deliveries can be received at a secure location, giving you more time to focus on running your day-to-day operations.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency

Clearing workspace clutter with a seasonal storage unit is a great way to streamline business operations. Clutter has a documented negative effect on job performance and mood in both major types of workspaces. Whether you're working from a home office or have a small office without much storage space, seasonal storage can help create more room.

Convenient Locations

Whether you run a small or large business, choosing a storage unit near your storefront or office can provide you necessary storage space while saving you valuable time during peak business seasons. Extra Space Storage has conveniently located storage facilities across the U.S.!

Climate-Controlled Units

Climate-controlled storage units are great for both winter businesses and summer businesses needing to protect temperature-sensitive items from extreme heat, humidity, or cold. Extra Space Storage offers seasonal storage units with climate control at affordable rates, so you can help keep your delicate inventory and equipment in good condition during the off season.

Drive-Up Access

Many storage facilities offer drive-up storage, allowing you to pull a vehicle up alongside your unit so you can move items in and out more efficiently. This feature is perfect for business owners who need to quickly load or unload items for short-term storage.

Seasonal Vehicle Storage

Seasonal commercial vehicle storage is an ideal solution for businesses that need to store vehicles during off-peak seasons-whether it's company cars, construction equipment, landscape trailers, or recreational vehicles. With options like enclosed drive-up units to protect against the elements-as well as covered or uncovered outdoor spaces for larger vehicles-you can find the perfect option for storing your business vehicles and equipment during the off-season.

Security & Protection

Utilizing a seasonal storage unit can help protect your inventory from damage, theft, and more. Self storage facilities typically have security features such as video surveillance, electronic gate access, security access to your floor only, on-site resident managers, and individually-alarmed units in place so you can rest easy while your items are in storage.

Flexibility

When you rent self storage for your business, you can find flexible leases that allow you to store business items for as long as needed, and cancel your rental at any time without long-term commitments. Extra Space Storage offers month-to-month rentals, so you can have seasonal storage when it makes sense for your business and save money when it doesn't.

Ease of Access

Business owners have hectic schedules, and Extra Space Storage accommodates that by offering flexible access options. Most locations feature extended access hours from 6am to 10pm, with many facilities even providing 24/7 access self storage near you. For added convenience, our facilities are equipped with options like indoor access, first-floor access, elevator access, and/or drive-up access, so you can quickly and easily reach your seasonal storage unit whenever it works best for you.

Ways to Use Seasonal Business Storage

Depending on what type of business you run, there are many ways to use seasonal business storage, and many types of storage units to choose from. Explore the ideas below to see if a seasonal storage unit is the right option for your business.

Manage Excess Inventory

You can use a seasonal storage unit for retail storage, helping you organize and manage inventory based on demand. This solution helps prevent out-of-season inventory from cluttering your store or office-and helps you prepare for busy periods by building up stock in advance! Seasonal storage is a great idea if you don't have a lot of space in your brick-and-mortar-store, or if you need e-commerce storage solutions for better inventory management.

Protect Equipment

If you work in a seasonal industry that deals with heavy, expensive equipment (e.g., landscaping, lawn care, construction) seasonal storage units are great for helping keep it safe while not in use. Amenities like drive-up access and quality security features make seasonal self storage even more convenient for storing bulky contracting equipment.

Renting a storage unit during the off-season is a great way to keep event supplies, holiday decor, and promotional materials for seasonal deals or campaigns in one place. Whether your business needs to store seasonal cardboard cutouts, display racks, sale signs, banners, tables and chairs, or decorations, a seasonal storage unit helps you keep your items organized, accessible, and in good condition so they can be reused again next year.

Prepping for Seasonal Business Storage

Proper preparation is important when it comes to maximizing the benefits of seasonal storage for businesses. Before putting your items into storage, take these steps to stay organized and prevent damage.

Assess Seasonal Demand

Analyze your business' sales data to identify peak and off-peak seasons. This will help you anticipate inventory needs and plan accordingly. Keep accurate records of items in storage to track inventory levels and prevent overstocking or understocking.

Conduct an Inventory Assessment

To keep your business inventory management process running smoothly, categorize your inventory by season, type, and how often you will need to access it. This can help you identify which items to place in seasonal storage and which should be kept more readily on hand.

Clean & Prepare Items for Storage

Help prevent damage, mold, and pests by properly cleaning and preparing business items before packing your storage unit. Use appropriate packing materials to protect items from dings or dents. If you have items that are sensitive to temperature or humidity, you may want to opt for climate-controlled storage.

Organize & Label Everything

Implement an organization system for your commercial storage unit, labeling boxes and storage bins to help you remember where items are stored. Investing in shelving units allows you to both maximize vertical storage space and place labels on the shelves, making it easier to put items back in their place and keep your seasonal storage unit organized.

Plan for Accessibility

Consider how frequently you will need to access business items in seasonal storage. When organizing your storage unit, make sure the items you'll need most often are easy to get to. Leave room for paths, and create a system for safely and easily retrieving boxes. Additionally, make sure to choose a storage facility that is conveniently located and offers flexible access options that work for your needs.

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Need seasonal storage solutions for your business? Look no further than Extra Space Storage! We have a wide variety of storage options at conveniently located facilities across the country. Find a storage unit near you!