Marcus & Millichap Research Brief: Self-Storage
June 7, 2022 | Marcus & Millichap
Some pandemic-era demand drivers exhibit staying power. An abrupt switch by most traditionally office-using employers to remote schedules in 2020 translated to a sharp increase in demand for self-storage space as workers created their home offices. Though most major metros have since rescinded lockdown restrictions, the return to the office has made slow progress, with many firms continuing to operate with a significant remote component. As 74 percent of domestically-based companies profess plans to employ some form of hybrid work strategy, many temporary home offices will become permanent workspaces, likely cementing needs for self-storage units. While vacancy has shifted upwards in recent winter months, these trends could keep long-term availability below pre-pandemic levels.
Sector well-positioned to withstand inflationary headwinds. While ongoing supply chain pressures indicate that the elevated inflation environment could extend into 2023, core retail sales still picked up 3.2 percent year-over-year in April on an inflation-adjusted basis. Both home furnishings and clothing retailers observed record sales volume and elevated foot traffic in April, maintaining consumption well above pre-pandemic norms, despite higher prices weighing on consumer sentiment. With these two categories cited among the most commonly found items in storage units, purchasing in these segments should support rental usage as some older goods are placed away for safekeeping.
Asset resiliency could be a hedge in uncertain times. Although consumer activity is still upward trending, inflation has generated some concern in the near-term economic outlook. Self-storage has weathered past downturns supported by unique counter-cyclical demand factors, including use stemming from household contraction and necessity-based relocations. Because most self-storage units are leased on a monthly basis, asset operators have greater flexibility to adjust rents according to market trends, including inflation. Following the financial crisis, nationwide vacancy returned to the pre-2008 rate in 2011, well ahead of other property types.
