As the world continues to shift away from traditional brick-and-mortar retail and embraces e-commerce, many businesses are finding themselves in need of specialist storage solutions. The rise of online shopping, remote working, and flexible business models has changed the way companies operate—and where they store their goods.
This move away from having a physical shop or office space is further incentivised by the sharp hike in rental fees that companies across the globe have experienced in recent years. According to recent data, commercial rents in the UK have seen a significant increase of around 9.7% annually, marking a rebound from a previous decline during 2021 and 2022; this translates to an average commercial rent being 42% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
At Wilkins Storage, we’ve seen a growing demand from businesses across Reading, Berkshire, and beyond, for secure, flexible storage facilities that support this new way of working. But why is this trend accelerating? And why are specialist storage services such a crucial part of modern business operations?
The Decline of Traditional Retail Spaces
For decades, physical shops and showrooms were the heart of most businesses. Stock was stored on-site, customers visited in person, and storage needs were often tied directly to retail premises. But with the rise of e-commerce, many businesses no longer require a shopfront or even a dedicated office space.
Instead, more companies are operating entirely online—selling products through websites, online marketplaces, and social media channels. This digital shift has reduced the need for expensive retail premises, but it has also created a new challenge: where to store stock.
Running a successful e-commerce business often means managing a large volume of stock, processing orders quickly, and having the flexibility to scale operations up or down. Many entrepreneurs start out storing products at home, but as their business grows, this quickly becomes impractical. That’s where specialist storage facilities like Wilkins Storage come in. Our purpose-built storage units are ideal for businesses that need:
- Secure, clean, and dry spaces for stock
- Pick and pack operations available
- Round-the-clock inventory oversight and management
- Flexible unit sizes to suit changing inventory needs
- Easy access to the M4 for deliveries and collections
- Affordable solutions without the overheads of traditional retail or warehouse space
The Rise in Remote Working Models
It’s not just e-commerce businesses that are changing. Many companies are embracing remote or hybrid working models, reducing the need for office space but increasing the need for secure storage. Whether it’s storing documents, equipment, or stock, businesses still need somewhere safe, accessible, and professional to house their assets.
Wilkins Storage offers a flexible storage alternative to costly long-term leases on office or warehouse premises. Businesses can rent space for as long as they need it and scale their storage up or down without hassle.
The Pressure to Remain Competitive
Businesses, now more than ever, need to remain competitive, constantly needing to adapt and innovate in order to maintain their market share against other businesses offering similar products or services. This includes developing new technologies, improving customer service, and optimising costs to stay ahead of rivals in a dynamic market environment. The most difficult, time-consuming and limiting aspect of a thriving e-commerce business is a lack of space, operational capacity and the fixed overheads that come with fulfilling your orders.
A specialist warehouse storage facility like ours could be the perfect solution to this problem with our 100,000 sq ft purpose-built state-of-the-art secure facility, fully employed & professionally trained teams and powerful technology. Our job is to completely remove the operational concerns and constraints that are holding back your growth.
Specialist Storage Is More Than Just a Space
Choosing a specialist storage provider gives businesses peace of mind. At Wilkins Storage, we understand that our business customers need more than just a place to store goods. That is why we’re committed to providing:
- State-of-the-art security with 24/7 CCTV monitoring
- Flexible contracts with no long-term commitment
- Access 7 days a week so you can run their operations on your schedule
- Friendly, professional service from a family-run business you can trust
Wilkins Storage: Helping Local Businesses Thrive
As more businesses in Reading, Berkshire and nationwide make the move to e-commerce or remote operations, the need for reliable, specialist storage continues to grow. At Wilkins Storage, we’re proud to support businesses by offering secure, flexible, and affordable storage solutions tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re a start-up selling products online, an established company looking to streamline operations, or a business embracing the digital age, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today to find out how we can support your business with specialist storage.
