By Drew Case
Storage Authority Franchise
A variety of moving and storage supplies are available from providers for your storage facility. There are several questions surrounding retail items. I have worked with retail showrooms of all sizes for 30 years. Many times I have had people tell me "I have no space for that!" or "No way I can fit that in my showroom!" Well, many of those people ultimately carried sales items and did well selling them. Sometimes they moved a chair, plant, gumball machine, etc... to make space. Repositioning the counter as needed takes more work, but a valuable move in the end.
Storage customers have a direct need for boxes and moving supplies. Locations that carry truck rental or do shipping services will sell even more boxes. Of course, locations with larger showrooms have less concern on space. Retail items are an additional revenue stream that should be captured and also adds convenience to the customer. The more one stop shopping....the better.
Here a few questions surrounding Sales/Retail Items and some answers!!
"What should I carry/stock in my showroom/office?"
Simple answer is...."carry what sells". Here is a great "starter kit" for any showroom/office. Note, in my experience, these items sold the best. There are plenty of specialty boxes, but I would not invest too much into them. The choice is yours and depends on what your customer is requesting. The following are the most popular and are great for a start. Hopefully, you will determine you need higher stock levels as you sell more!
Locks
40- Discus Style Locks
Boxes
50- Small
60-Medium
30-Large
Tape
8- Rolls of Paper Tape
8- Rolls of Polyester Tape
4- Tape Guns w/Roll
Wardrobe Boxes (bulky, bet sell)
10-15- Wardrobe Boxes w/ bar
Mattress Bags/Covers
12- Queen
6- King
6- Full
Other items to consider
6- Box of sheets of Wrapping Paper
8- Boxes of Bubble Wrap or smaller rolls (Small/Large Bubble)
10- Marker/ Box Cutter combo pack
6- Dish/Glass Kits
"How should I display the retail Items?"
Display hanging items on pegboard or slat-board on pegs. (2+ items on each peg)
Often, metal displays come with side pieces that can hold pegs for these items.
Boxes can be held vertical in a slotted rack or a two shelved rack (one above another)
Pallet option can stack boxes on pallet. (cut pallet to fit if needed)
Showrooms with limited space can assemble the three core boxes and mount along the ceiling (drop ceiling). Store the bulk of sales items in another area. Minimal stock in the office/showroom.
There are retail displays that can be purchased online that vary in size and use. Select one that works best for your space.
Display the items along a customer walking path or near the counter for the customer to easily see the items. Display is a subtle reminder to the customer. Price cards and various signage can also grab attention and feature the price of the item.
Click here for a sample of a Storage Authority Showroom
"Where do I buy them?"
There are a number of suppliers that offer boxes and moving supplies. I suggest you shop around. Prices and shipping will vary. Make sure you set a "re-order" point when you get to a certain level of quantity. This way you don't run out of a particular size. Also, check with your supplier if you place individual larger orders for customers if needed.
Definitely be creative on display and consider utilizing space for making money. I understand that neat collectibles and fun pieces can be a conversation piece, but the customer needs retail items, so be sure you have a decent stock available. You can never fail by better serving the customer and having what they need on site.
Storage Authority's guidance in self-storage development underscores the intricate balance between meeting storage demands and environmental sustainability. By aligning with Storage Authority's principles and leveraging our team's expertise, along with your engineer, architect, and general contractor we can navigate the complexities of impervious coverage with confidence, ensuring the creation of self-storage facilities that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
Storage Authority Franchising is all about owning your own local self-storage business, supported by professional systems and expertise. We like to say, "You're in business for yourself but not by yourself." If self-storage is on your mind, don't hesitate to reach out to Drew Case at Direct: 513-582-0125 or Drew@StorageAuthority.com to learn more about the Storage Authority Franchise opportunity. Your self-storage journey awaits!
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