Christmas is the busiest time of the year for many retailers. While the increase in business that comes with the festive period is always welcome, it does bring its own unique set of challenges.
Stocking for the Christmas rush is always a problem. The stock has to be brought in, often well in advance. This can put a strain on stock rooms that, in many cases, were already bursting at the seams.
But there is a solution, self-storage units are a cost-effective way of helping to ease the seasonal strain and stop your stock room from turning into a cramped maze of overstacked boxes.
Here are some of the main benefits of letting a self-storage solution take the strain this Christmas.
Carry more stock
The most obvious benefit of self-storage at Christmas is the ability to hold more stock. At Christmas time, any business will want to maximise its profits. A self-storage unit allows room for plenty of stock to be held.
Running out of best-selling items at Christmas is a frustrating experience and amounts to a lost opportunity. Not only will a self-storage unit mean you can hold all the stock you need, but by being able to buy in greater quantities, it is often possible to negotiate a better cost price, which further boosts profit margins.
Whether for a brick-and-mortar store or an online shop, self-storage units can boost your Christmas sales. At U Store It, we have storage units of all sizes, so whatever your storage needs are over the festive period, we have a solution.
Safety in the workplace
Cramming all the extra stock you need into already packed storerooms can be a recipe for disaster. Stacks of precariously balanced boxes are already a danger, but factor in a busy shop with staff scuttling backwards and forwards to keep the shelves full and the dangers are multiplied.
Also, there is clear access to emergency exits and fire doors to be considered. Health and safety regulations mandate that these are kept clear at all times. This can be difficult, if not downright impossible, when trying to store your seasonal stock.
Brings Christmas Cheer to online sellers too!
The rise of eCommerce means that there are loads of sellers now operating successful retail businesses from the comfort of their homes. While this is a great way for maximising profits and works perfectly well for the bulk of the year, it isn’t always quite so perfect at Christmas time.
It’s a time of year for busy households, all enjoying the holiday season in the company of family and friends, not to mention a house full of overexcited kids, and of course, the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happily co-exist with a house full of seasonal stock.
Keeping your stock in a storage unit means the festivities aren’t burdened by spare rooms bulging with boxes (it also makes a great excuse for escaping for some peace and quiet!)
Keeping Organised means Keeping Customers Happy
Cluttered store rooms are difficult to organise, and when it comes to getting orders out in time for Christmas, this can make the logistics a nightmare.
Customers can be impatient at the best of times, and this worsens as Christmas approaches, and the gifts they have ordered are nowhere to be seen. Rightfully, they expect their purchases to be posted quickly, and the increased space that a storage unit provides can make this task so much easier.
At U Store It, we can even provide racking systems that make organising your goods so much easier. This also reduces the chances of goods being damaged or crushed by stacking boxes too high.
It’s a cost-effective solution
Christmas comes but once a year. For the retailer, this means that basing the size of their storage premises on the requirements needed for the festive period just isn’t feasible.
Self-storage means you only need to pay for the space you need when you need it. There is no need to pay expensive rates on property that lies empty for much of the year. Just pay for the exact period you need and no more.
It’s a flexible option
Storage needn’t just be for Christmas; many retailers keep their units on after they discover the benefits of them. January sales stock, unsold items, and even somewhere to store the Christmas decorations until next December rolls around again are just some of the reasons that self-storage can be useful beyond the Christmas period.
Online shops that are run from home addresses often use self-storage units as a year-round virtual warehouse.
Keeps your goods safe and secure
All our units are protected by multi-level security procedures, including 24/7 CCTV, keypad entrance, your own locks on the individual units, and a computerised log of everyone present in the building at all times.
All our units are superbly maintained and cleaned to make sure your goods are kept in a clean and dry environment. We even have climate-controlled units available for more delicate goods.
Conclusion
At U Store It, we can provide the perfect solution to take the stress out of the Christmas rush. Our storage solutions can let you make the most of this crucial period, and by increasing profit margins and improving efficiency can actually save you money this Christmas.
Why not contact us today and speak to us about how a self-storage unit can assure you have a very merry Christmas indeed!
