Some 11 million unused shipping containers around the world could potentially be used for a variety of purposes. And perhaps the reason many businesses are now considering using modified shipping containers to expand business operations and gain more retail space, at minimum costs. Custom shipping containers are used for a variety of applications, not just for commercial and retail spaces but also for residential housing, indoor gardening, and more creative use like a library, studio or workshop.
Globally, brands like Taco Bells and Starbucks are known to be among the first companies to start using modified shipping containers as stores. They are currently mushrooming almost everywhere as more businesses are gradually embracing the idea.
Taco Bell debuted a 1,080 square foot pop-up store made from a shipping container and opened a permanent shipping container store in California at the beginning of 2017.
Boost Your Marketing Efforts with a Pop-Up Store
In a competitive business environment, you are always looking for ways to stand out from the pack, and having an advantage over competitors. However, this often means having to spend a lot of money on robust marketing campaigns, which some don’t even add significant value. But if you consider opening retail stores close to your target and potential customers, which creates the opportunity for customers to interact with your products more closely, it can help establish a positive brand image.
Pop up containers are usually used for on-site marketing campaigns where products are on flash retailing. The best thing about this type of retail store is that it costs less than renting an office space, and they can be conveniently transported to your target market.
Acquiring Additional Retail Space with Modified Shipping Containers
If you’re looking to expand your business and in search of flexible retail space, pop up containers can help you with that. They are cost-effective compared to the recurrent costs associated with renting commercial space in a building, plus they are durable. Pop up containers can help you expand your business and reach more customers with minimum considerations. For service companies, these stores can be used as offices for consultation and inquiries.
But even as businesses embrace the use of custom shipping containers for pop-up stores, more practical uses are being explored and some of them include:
Modified Shipping Container Greenhouse
Away from the contemporary uses of shipping containers, the need for modern farming techniques has paved the way for the use of shipping container farms which uses vertical farming and hydroponic systems to grow foods. Perhaps why these containers make a good indoor garden is because you can achieve a controlled environment for growing different types of fruits and vegetables. More importantly, is that your farm can be ready within a short time and starting to grow without having to think of renting warehouse space or building a greenhouse, which is often costly.
Modified Shipping Containers Classrooms
From shipping to pop-up stores, there are plenty of ways a recycled shipping container can be turned to a fully-fledged classroom and other educational purposes such as libraries or art studios. In developing countries especially, custom shipping containers are used to construct schools in supporting quality education for children. Schools that have a surplus intake of students can benefit a lot from shipping container classrooms as they can create a sturdy classroom space that takes less time to set up and it’s also durable.
Modified shipping containers can take many designs depending on their applications. They can be tweaked to double up and function as a home office, guest room, retail store or indoor garden. Whatever you decide to use this extra space for whether you are expanding your business with new outlets or building a backyard studio, ensure you work with professional container fabricators to get a job well done.
