Canadian Self Storage Industry Has Room To Improve

There is a great difference in the self storage industry of the United States versus the self storage industry of Canada. While the United States has seen growth in this industry over the past few decades, Canada is comparatively in its infancy and just beginning to see the growth that the U.S. has already experienced.

The positive influences of American business persons who are offering advice about what they have seen work and what they have seen fail, is, in some parts, creating a more rapid growth in the Canadian self storage industry . The growing pains of the American market can certainly be a lesson to the Canadian, and other markets beginning to develop the storing market.

The supply and demand ratio in the United States has caught up in many rural and urban markets. Storing facilities are typically anywhere from 75 to 90 percent full, depending on the region and the season. Whereas, the demand still largely outweighs the supply in Canada and rural and urban facilities alike are commonly enjoying the luxury of having their facilities 85 to 95 percent or more full.

Perhaps the difference in occupancy is a contributing factor to the vast difference in customer service between the American and Canadian industries.

In a study conducted in May, 2008 by a self storage industry call center in Columbia, Missouri, an astonishing 94 percent of Canadian store room facilities did not ask the customer for a phone number and only 18 out of 63 facilities asked the customer for his or her name. This is either indicative that the Canadian market is doing a very poor job or a very great job. Perhaps a very poor job because the lack of asking fundamental and imperative questions such as this could indicate a deeper sales and service problem rooted in complacency or inexperience.

Perhaps a very great job because asking for a name and phone number is unimportant, for now, to the Canadian market because they are experiencing great success with the occupancy of their businesses. Why ask for a name and number when you know the unit will be rented out within the week? This may be their mind frame. However, they should take a cue from their neighbors to the south and keep a close eye on how the market is changing.

The self storage industry is no secret to business owners looking for property in Canada. Like the American industry, soon enough, Canadian owners will find themselves battling with competition and looking at their sales and customer service practices to get an edge over their competitor.

Already, in cities like Okotoks, Alberta the market has a cluster of storing facilities within a short radius of one another. And while larger cities like Toronto can easily host a handful of storing facilities, the guarantee of filling up after the first few weeks of your grand opening is narrowing as likeminded business men and women are opening their own facility.

Competition is what morphed the American storing industry from a few metal sheds crafted from wobbly aluminum and chicken wire to top notch steel constructions equipped with individual alarms and video surveillance. It would benefit a new business owner in Canada or the States to learn under the wings of well established storing associations and business persons.

Columbia Storage

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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