Americans don’t always have the best of reputations in other countries. Many of them see us as consumer driven people that are all about the amount of stuff that we can buy and call ours. To them it is not too surprising that the United States is a place where businesses like the self storage industry, where people are simply renting space to store all their stuff, thrive.
Little did they realize when they were looking down their collective nose at Americans and their self storage units that just like in many others ways the United States is simply ahead of the curve.
Countries around the world are finding that they have a need for the self storage industry. The fact that self storage companies are thriving in places like England, Scotland, and other industrial nations is not too surprising, but there is actually a growing market in countries that you might not expect like the United Arab Emirates.
The Box, a self storage company in Dubai, has done well for itself. While many people there still do not know what a self storage facility is, but with a commitment to putting the customer first they have done well at getting established in an emerging market.
The reason that people have for using self storage in Dubai may be a bit different then in the United States though. An article found on Online PRNews says that many people are starting to look to self storage because they find that their belongings are actually safer there then at home.
Another company in the UAE has found a way for Americans living there to find them real easy. When they search for Storage in Abu Dhabi they will likely find first on the list none other than a company by just that name, Storage in Abu Dhabi. Just like self storage companies in the United States it offers all the same perks, units of various sizes, climate controlled units, vehicle storage, and so much more.
The self storage business has grown competitive enough in Canada that companies are forced to pay extra-care to ensure that their facility is aesthetically pleasing or face losing customers to a place that looks better.
With the increase in condominiums in cities like Montreal the demand has definitely increased so to ensure that their facility gets approved by urban planning boards companies have no choice but to make them as visibly pleasing as possible or risk being shut down before they even open up.
Sources Used:
“Industry Growth in Canada Demands More Attractive Self Storage Facilities.” Inside Self Storage; 21 January 2011.
“What is the Box?” Online PR Media; 19 February 2011.
“Storage in Abu Dhabi solves Storage Problems” Zawya.com; 21 February 2011.