European Self Storage Industry Report 2025

18 European Self Storage Industry Report 2025

19 European Self Storage Annual Industry Report 2025

02

Potential for growth in usage

Awareness and Usage

Across Europe, an average of around 4% of the population currently use self storage, 10% have used it in the past, and 12% have considered it but have yet to become customers. While these figures may seem low, particularly when compared with the USA, where usage is roughly five times higher, the European market operates under very different conditions. Land and property suitable for self storage development are scarcer, and planning restrictions are often more stringent. As a result, even if demand were to rise sharply, the available supply would be insufficient to meet it. Historically, European markets have grown at a relatively steady, linear pace, with supply and demand kept in balance through careful pricing. On a like-for-like basis, self storage in Europe is

typically more expensive than in the USA, largely due to this limited supply and the difficulty of adding new space quickly. The data also reveals a substantial pool of potential customers. People who have considered self storage but ultimately chosen not to use it. Understanding why these individuals fail to convert is key. Do they opt for free alternatives, such as storing goods with relatives? Do their circumstances change, removing the need for storage? Or does price remain the main barrier? Converting even a quarter of this group into active customers would have a significant impact on market dynamics, influencing both supply demand balance and the prices operators could command.

Usage

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Don't know / can't recall

I have not considered or used self storage I have considered using self storage but I have not used it yet I have used self storage previously but not in the last 12 months I have used self storage in the last 12 months but am no longer using it I am currently using self storage

UK

Italy Netherlands

Spain

France

Ireland

Poland

Austria

Sweden

Portugal

Germany

Denmark

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