How Businesses Can Organize Their Inventory in a Storage Unit

For many companies—especially small retailers, e-commerce vendors, and service providers—storage facilities are a cost-effective solution for inventory management. But if you fail to organize your unit, your storage space can soon get messy—and it becomes difficult to find what you need when you need it. Here's a walk-through on how small businesses can organize their inventory in a commercial storage unit.

1. Choose the Right Storage Unit

Before you pick your storage unit, make sure you're selecting a unit that fits the needs of your business. Think through things like:

• Size: Your unit should comfortably fit all the inventory you need to store. Not only that: make sure the unit provides room for future expansion, just in case your business or storage needs grow in the future.
• Climate Control: If you plan to store temperature-sensitive products—electronics, documents, or perishable goods—a climate-controlled storage unit is absolutely vital.
• Drive-Up Access: If you know that you'll need to frequently access your unit, make that access simple by renting a drive-up unit. This is especially helpful if you're storing bulkier items, like furniture or equipment.

2. Categorize and Label Inventory

Organizing your products into groups lowers the chance that you'll misplace something vital, and makes it quicker and easier to find what you need when you need it. Some common ways for small businesses to organize inventory:

• By Product Type: Group similar items together, such as clothing, electronics, or office supplies.
• By Frequency of Use: Keep high-demand or fast-moving items near the entrance of your storage unit for quick access.
• By Seasonality: Store seasonal products separately and rotate them as needed.

No matter what organizational system you use, you'll want to apply a labeling system with consistent, clear information. Think about tying QR codes or barcodes to a digital inventory system.

3. Use Shelving and Storage Bins

Piling up boxes in your storage units creates a disorganized mess. Instead, use:

• Industrial shelving units. Keep boxes off the ground and easily accessible.
• Clear plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. Make sure you can see the contents of each container.
• Stackable bins or drawers. With these, you can maximize the vertical space in your unit.

Make sure that all the shelves and containers in your commercial storage unit are properly labeled and arranged for the needs of your business.

4. Implement an Inventory Tracking System

Using inventory management software can make it easier for small businesses to organize inventory. Depending on the size of your business and the amount of inventory you're storing, you may have different inventory management needs. Some options include:

• Spreadsheet systems for small businesses.
• Inventory management apps like Sortly, Zoho Inventory, or Fishbowl for real-time tracking.
• Barcode scanners to quickly check inventory in and out.

5. Create a Floor Plan and Map

When retrieving things from your unit, a basic layout map helps you save time and effort. When you're making a map, include:

• Clearly labeled aisles.
• A designated space for new stock.
• Another designated space for items that are damaged or returned.

Post this map close to the storage unit's entrance so any team member accessing the unit can find and use it.

6. Check In Often

Even if you have a robust organizational system in place, your inventory will likely end up a bit scattered over time. Plan regular audits to:

• Make sure all items are accounted for.
• Rotate stock to prevent product expiration and provide access to seasonal goods.
• Identify slow-moving inventory that may need to be discounted or liquidated.

Plan quarterly or monthly inventory checks to maintain order in your commercial storage unit.

7. Optimize Security and Safety

To protect the contents of your unit, be sure to:

• Choose a storage facility with alarms, cameras, and secure access.
• Store any valuables in locked containers.
• To prevent damage, make sure your unit has sufficient ventilation and any needed temperature regulation.
• Keep the aisles in your unit clear.

A well-organized storage unit can make inventory access more efficient, convenient, and safe. By correctly storing and managing your inventory, you can transform your storage unit into an accessible extension of your business.