Need to Store Retail Products? These Are the 4 Top Options
Cartons block the aisles, the stockroom door barely closes and a holiday shipment lands tomorrow. If you need to store retail products without sacrificing floor space, you have several options.
Portable containers, mobile shelving, racking and automated carousels each tackle a different version of the problem. The strongest providers in each category can help you regain control of your inventory and keep your business running smoothly.
Top Retail Product Storage Solution Providers
These providers take four distinct approaches — portable containers, mobile shelving, racking and automated carousels. Your best fit depends on whether you need more space, better organization or faster picking.
1. Pro Box Portable Storage
Pro Box Portable Storage is known for delivering portable containers and mobile offices. It serves retail, construction, institutions and government agencies. Delivery and pickup can take one to three days, with emergency delivery available.
The patented Pro Vault Locking System® comes with rentals and can be added to purchases for an extra cost.
Key Features
- Locked monthly rate: Your price stays locked in for predictable budgeting and carries no random fees.
- Adaptable sizes and layouts: Rentals come in seven sizes and layouts from 10 to 40 feet, while purchases include only 20- and 40-foot containers and high cubes.
- Personalized experience: One point of contact handles your account.
2. Bruynzeel Mobile Shelving Systems
If your storage challenge lives inside the building, Bruynzeel offers a different approach. The company has more than 70 years of experience in mobile shelving, and it helps retailers streamline operations and improve their bottom line by optimizing in-store and backroom space.
Key Features
- Customizable features: Adjustable shelves, locking mechanisms and integrated lighting let you tailor the system to your stock.
- Lower overhead costs: Fitting more inventory into the same footprint may help reduce overhead.
- Easier access and layout: Easy access and greater visibility can make your space simpler to navigate.
3. UNEX Retail Storage Solutions
Retail storage specialist UNEX supports both fulfillment operations and brick-and-mortar retailers looking to improve efficiency. Its modular racking and shelving suit retailers that stock many products and run omnichannel fulfillment.
Key Features
- Ergonomic storage options: SpeedCell is designed to reduce deep bending and stretching, potentially easing strain during picking.
- Omnichannel fulfillment: Backroom racking can be optimized for rapid order picking, packing and shipping.
- Higher storage density: SpeedCell may increase storage density by up to 60% within existing pallet racking.
4. Summit Storage Solutions
Retailers focused on retrieval speed and floor space can look to Summit Storage, which manufactures American-made vertical carousels for backrooms and fulfillment centers. These automated systems bring inventory to employees and may cut retrieval times from minutes to seconds in some cases.
Key Features
- Enhanced picking accuracy: Pairing carousels with pick-to-light technology may help reduce picking errors.
- Seasonal inventory management: Peak seasons call for more SKUs, and carousels add room without temporary warehouse space.
- Responsive customer service: Technicians install each system, and a repair team can head to your location if technical issues arise.
Criteria for Selecting the Top Storage Options
Four factors guided this roundup — security, pricing, flexibility and delivery speed. Each one shapes how safely and quickly you can get inventory off your floor.
1. Security and Protection Features
Security matters because lost inventory cuts straight into your margins. Retail shrink hit $112.1 billion in 2022, and the average shrink rate rose to 1.6% from 1.4% the year before. Locking features, such as the Pro Vault Locking System® on Pro Box Portable Storage rentals, can help protect your stock.
2. Pricing and Value Transparency
Predictable costs make budgeting easier when seasonal surges push storage needs up and down. When you compare the other options, ask each provider for a full cost breakdown up front.
3. Flexibility and Customization Options
Retailers rarely stock the same way twice. Custom containers, adjustable shelving and modular configurations help you adapt storage as your product mix changes. Industry research on self-storage demand and usage trends tracks unit sizes and rental lengths, which can show how much flexibility renters expect.
4. Delivery Speed and Availability
Setup time affects how soon you can use new space, and containers can add space quickly. Installed systems like shelving, racking and carousels may take longer but keep inventory inside.
Good Options for Storing Retail Products at a Glance
This side-by-side view compares the four providers on the factors that matter most. Details reflect each provider’s published information.
| Provider | Storage Type | Best For | Security Features | Delivery Speed and Setup | Customization Options |
| Pro Box Portable Storage | Portable containers and mobile offices | Overflow inventory and seasonal surges | Pro Vault Locking System® included on rentals and optional on purchases | Delivery and pickup in one to three days | Seven rental sizes and layouts plus custom containers |
| Bruynzeel | Mobile shelving | In-store and backroom space optimization | Locking mechanisms | Not specified | Adjustable shelves, locking mechanisms and integrated lighting |
| UNEX | Racking and high-density shelving | High SKU counts and omnichannel fulfillment | Not specified | Not specified | Modular, scalable storage systems |
| Summit Storage | Automated vertical carousels | Fast retrieval and floor space recovery | Not specified | Professional installation | Custom racks and adjustable carrier configurations |
Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Retail Products
Retail owners comparing providers often start with the same few questions. These answers cover security, speed and alternatives to containers.
Q: Are shipping containers a good option for storing retail products?
A: Shipping containers can be a good option for storing retail products when you need extra space quickly and strong security. Pro Box Portable Storage can deliver in one to three days and includes the Pro Vault Locking System® on rentals.
Q: What security features do retail storage providers offer?
A: Features vary by provider. Pro Box rentals include the Pro Vault Locking System® for vault-like security, while Bruynzeel shelving offers locking mechanisms. Strong security can help protect your inventory from costly loss.
Q: How fast can retailers get a storage unit delivered?
A: Timelines can also vary by provider and storage type. Pro Box can deliver and pick up in one to three days, while shelving, racking and carousel systems need installation and may take longer to set up.
Q: What storage options exist besides shipping containers?
A: Beyond containers, you can choose mobile shelving from Bruynzeel, racking from UNEX or automated vertical carousels from Summit Storage. Each one tackles space differently.
Pick the Storage Solution That Fits Your Retail Business
The right storage solution depends on your biggest pain point. If security comes first, look for strong locking features. If speed matters most, favor fast delivery. If floor space is tight, shelving or carousels may help you reclaim room. Good options for storing retail products exist for each need, so choose a reputable partner with clear pricing.
*Please note that this list includes sponsored content. Some of the companies, products, or services featured have entered into commercial agreements for placement. Sponsored placements do not necessarily reflect an endorsement and should be considered alongside other options in the marketplace.