Sea Container Rentals: UK vs the USA
We all know sea container rentals are a big thing in the US, but how does that compare to the UK? In this blog, the Store That team take a dive into the storage industry at home and across the pond.
The US
In the US, sea container rentals are a very common thing. With over 45,000 facilities across the country, each state has its own self storage association. To give you an idea on the sheer size of the industry, there are 7 sqft of storage space for every American and about one in 10 US households rent a unit at some point in their life!
US Military
Some facilities in the US cater to just the US military alone and over 700,000 units across the country are rented by military personnel. There are even storage units that are built on military bases for ease of access.
Pop Culture
Even if you don’t live in America, you’re probably aware of the TV show ‘Storage Wars’. Starting in 2010, it follows what happens to storage units when the rent is not paid for 3 months. The contents of the unit can be sold off to the highest bidder. Usually, the person bidding has zero idea what is inside, having only been given 5 minutes to inspect the inside from the doorway prior to the bidding. This TV shows successful 13 seasons prove how much of an impact self storage has had on America.
The UK
Despite not having been established for as long, the UK self storage industry, and the use of sea container rentals, have continued to grow year after year. It is one of the few industries that has not seen a halt in its growth due to economic climate, and especially in the last year, has flourished. The amount of storage sites within the UK doesn’t match up to the sheer size of the US industry, however, as a country it is much smaller and therefore has no need for such a volume of sites.
Retirement
A report published in 2019 found that 69% of people using sea container rentals in the UK range between the ages of 40-79 years old. As we age, we accumulate more and more things, this age range will have a greater need to store possessions they can no longer fit in their home. It is also possible that, after reaching retirement age, many people choose to downsize their houses, meaning less storage space.
Contact Us
The US might have more storage facilities, but they don’t have Store That! We have a wide range of storge units available to you, including sea container rentals and drive-up units, with 24-hour security cameras and in house security team to ensure your belongings are safely stored.
Whether you’re off to university, downsizing your house or just need to shift some bits and bobs, we have a storage solution for you. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more, or call us on 020 7515 1300.