The growth of the self storage market in Europe
The European self storage market has been growing steadily for years. While self storage has been a mature industry in the United States for decades, Europe is still at the beginning of an enormous growth curve. This presents opportunities for operators who invest in the right technology now.
Numbers that speak
According to FEDESSA (Federation of European Self Storage Associations), the European self storage market has grown by an average of 7–8% per year over the past five years. There are now more than 6,000 self storage locations across Europe, with a total lettable area of over 12 million square metres.
The Netherlands: a growth market
The Netherlands currently has more than 400 self storage locations. The penetration rate — the number of square metres of self storage per capita — is still considerably lower in the Netherlands than in the United Kingdom or Scandinavia. This means there is ample room for further growth.
Driving forces behind the growth
Several factors are fuelling the growth of self storage in Europe:
- Urbanisation – More and more people are living in smaller homes in cities, increasing the need for extra storage space.
- E-commerce – Small entrepreneurs and online shops need flexible storage solutions for their inventory.
- Moves and life events – Divorce, renovation and bereavement are constant drivers of temporary storage demand.
- Growing awareness – Consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with the concept of self storage.
Technology as a differentiator
In a growing market, technology is the key to success. Operators who invest in modern management systems like MyYounit set themselves apart through a better customer experience, lower operational costs and higher occupancy rates. Automation enables you to scale efficiently without proportionally increasing headcount.
The future
Experts expect the European market to double over the next ten years. The greatest opportunities lie with operators who invest in technology and automation now. MyYounit helps you seize those opportunities with a system that grows alongside your ambitions.