Singapore is a nation of the technologically savvy. With 91% connected online (Infocomm Media Development Authority), it is now possible for small entrepreneurs to compete in the market.

According to Statista, the expected revenue generated will amount to US $4.9 billion by the end of 2019, and is expected to show an annual growth rate of 14.7%, resulting in a market volume of US $8.6 billion by 2023.

That said, e-commerce is a whole lot more than simply displaying your products up on a webpage. There are other factors to consider as well – yes, you guessed it. Logistical issues. Let’s take a look at some of the challenges that you might face and how self-storage can assist you in overcoming them.

Storage space for your inventory

Let’s face it, if you are running a product based e-commerce business, you will need to stock your inventory somewhere. And often, it will clutter up your working and living environment.

This is where Self-storage comes in; with all your inventory stored away in a secured facility, your working and living area would be significantly less cluttered. Now you can fully focus on your e-commerce business!

Of course, you can also take a look at Extra Space Executive Storage where you can store, work and collaborate all in one space.

Cost Effective Solution

Cash flow is essential to a small business, as many entrepreneurs struggle with their bills. One reason might be the high expenses from renting a warehouse for inventory storage. Think about this: Does it make sense to rent a 900 sqft warehouse for a year, only to use less than ½ the space and time?

It will be more cost effective to rent a self-storage unit. Most self-storage facility allows you to rent a storage space from as small as 14 sqft to as large as over 200 sqft. Plus, the freedom to upsize and downsize at any given point. Self-storage users can also enjoy flexible rental duration, starting from as short as 14 days to as long as required.

Now, you have the option to pay for only what you require. Say goodbye to the days of costly long-term contracts and large redundant spaces!

Click here to find out how much you can save with self-storage.

Fulfilling Orders

On paper, this sounds fairly simple. You have done your job and have gotten a sale. Now, all you need to do is to get your product to the customers, right?

In Singapore, you can choose from a wide range of courier options for delivery: SingPost, NinjaVan, HonestBee, etc. You can also opt to meet the customers at a specific location to pass them their parcel.

However, parcel delivery services cost money and meeting your customers for every delivery takes up your time. At Extra Space Asia, you can make use of our e-station that lets your customers collect their parcels, anytime, 24/7! Save on delivery costs while automating your processes. That’s the smarter way to go.

Congratulations, you just received keys to your new home! Before you go on creating interior design mood boards on Pinterest, have you got a storage solution to store all your personal items and furniture during the moving and renovating period yet?

No? Fret not. Self-Storage is here!

By storing your items at a self-storage facility, you not only protect them from dust but also unexpected damages that may occur during the moving and renovation period. That’s not all: Here are 3 more benefits of why you should use a self storage!

1. Flexible storage options

Self-storage companies like Extra Space Asia offer flexible storage options in terms of storage period and storage unit size! By storing with Extra Space Asia Self Storage, you can enjoy storing from as short as 14 days to as long as you need. You can rent a Locker or Walk-in storage space base on your current storage needs during the renovation period. Choose to upgrade or downsize your Locker storage unit after the renovation – it is all up to you and your storage needs. Your storage unit also comes with 24/7 access, enabling you to store and retrieve items any time, any day.

2. Clean and climate-controlled environment

Here at Extra Space Asia, you can ensure that your furniture and personal belongings are dust-free; our cleaners work hard to keep the facilities and surrounding premises spotless and sanitary. Storing your items with us presents a huge difference and advantage compared to keeping them at home in the middle of chaotic renovation works.

The air-conditioned storage unit at Extra Space Asia is climate-controlled with temperatures that range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, keeping all your items in optimal conditions.

3. Safe and secure environment

Safety comes first: Here, you will receive a personalised pin code and key just for you and no one else – so that ONLY YOU can access your storage unit. What’s more, our facilities are staffed with security guards who will patrol the premises round-the-clock. CCTVs are also well-positioned to monitor activities 24/7. All equipped, to give you peace of mind.

Try Extra Space Asia Self-Storage today. This solution will definitely help relieve stress while you focus on completing your new home. Now, you can safely keep your belongings in a secured facility; no more worrying about losing items during your moving and renovation period. Start now and start here, at Extra Space Asia.

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and while we are excited about the long holiday, we should also look forward to expelling ‘negative energy’ by spring cleaning our homes thoroughly. Time to rid the bad, and welcome another year of good fortune!

Here are a few hacks to make spring cleaning less painful:

Hatching a Master Plan

Rome was not built in a day; the same theory applies to spring cleaning.

To reduce stress from the fact that Chinese New Year is just days away, it helps to start an organised routine.

Make a checklist of cleaning tasks

You will be surprised that having a clear task list will make your spring cleaning a lot easier and less stressful.

Set a specific time for spring cleaning

Set aside 30 – 45-minute intervals for cleaning. Focus on cleaning and treat yourself to a well-deserved break after.

Prioritise cleaning tasks

If you do not have enough time, it will be better to prioritise where to start. The best place to start is usually the main living space where your guest will spend the most time!

Gear up!

What is spring cleaning without the proper gear? Ensure that you are well-equipped with your broom, dustpan, gloves and others. Having your cleaning tools on standby will save you lots of time and energy. Less time spent searching for tools, and more time for actual cleaning!

Be completely MERCILESS

Identify belongings that you have not used in the last six months. Then clear them out and make space for the new stuff in 2019!

Remember, there’s only so much space you have at home. Make sure these spaces #sparkjoy.

Bonus tip: if you cannot bear to part with your old and precious items, why not store them with us at Extra Space Asia?

Think co-working spaces are for freelancers only? Think again!

According to a 2017 report (Source: Cushman & Wakefield), co-working spaces are also widely used by SME organisations, growing 10 – 15% per year across the Asia-Pacific region.

So what exactly is Executive Storage and how does it relate to co-working spaces? While both have their similarities, Executive Storage spaces offer you a shared workspace with the added feature of having a nearby storage unit.

Here are 3 top reasons why spaces like these are the future for entrepreneurs and all professionals alike!

Store, work and collaborate. All, in one space.

A survey conducted in 2016 showed that Singaporeans spent an average of 9 hours weekly commuting (Source: The Straits Time). Imagine how much more you can get done if you spent this time on your business.

One great feature of Executive Storage is that it reduces your need to travel to and from the warehouse to your office – both now literally steps away!

What’s more, sharing workspace with other business owners can put you on a fast track for more networking opportunities.

Flexible Business Solution

Did you know: With the Executive Storage, the use of workspace is FREE! All you need to do is rent a office and storage space, and you’re good to start.

This option has proven to be one of the most affordable solutions; storage starts from $168 per month with sizes ranging from 11 sqft all the way up to 100 sqft. You can also take advantage of great storage period flexibility (starting from as short as 14 days).

Now, compare this deal to renting a private office space with a minimum contract period of 1 year. Imagine how much you’ll be saving in the long run with Executive Storage!

Convenience

The globalisation of businesses means you now have to work within varying timezones with vendors, suppliers and even customers. Thanks to 24/7 accessibility to Executive Storage, you can be in your office working whenever best suits your business needs.

And there are more benefits to that: you’ll no longer have the hassle of managing day-to-day administrative matters that come with a typical office space. Executive Storage handles everything from utility bills to facility management, so you can better devote all your attention to growing your business.

Rising cost of retail warehousing means more businesses in Singapore will be turning to self-storage as the go-to solution. Whether you need additional storage for your expanding business, or if you are looking to make more room in your office space, using self-storage will help increase your competitive edge.

Now, let’s look at 3 top benefits of business self-storage.

#1 – Affordability

With a forecast of a 6% growth in office rental (Source: Colliers International – Singapore), you will start to realise that it is increasingly more difficult to find additional cost-effective space for your business.

As discussed previously in 5 reasons why SMEs should use self-storage, renting a self-storage unit is more affordable than renting a big office space. Just take a look at Extra Space Asia’s Executive Storage below for a quick cost comparison.

Sources: Commercial Guru 

Our Executive Storage offers you both the office and storage space you need at an affordable rate! It is the perfect solution for small, dynamic business environments.

#2 – Make Extra Space

Every business will expand and eventually require more storage space. But what happens when warehouse rentals are so high, they become too big an expense for your business? What happens if when you decide to store inventories in your office?

Just imagine working side by side with unsightly clutter. Won’t you feel flustered? We would! By keeping unused items that take up too much space in a self-storage facility, you gain back your valuable space.

#3 – Relocating Business

Great news: Your business is expanding, and you are required to move into a bigger office. Here’s the not-so-good news: Moving is HECTIC…

Here’s a solution. Why not get everything out of the way first? Simply keep non-essential items into a self-storage unit. Decluttering lets you better tidy up your inventory.

To sum up, in one line, using self-storage helps lower overhead costs for your business. Are you ready to reap all these benefits and more with self-storage? Contact us today!

Many of us live in a HDB flat with really small bedrooms. But! There are also people who live in bigger houses who just want to downsize to a new HDB BTO. The choice of downsizing could also be due to other practical or personal reasons.

Regardless of why, once you start living in a smaller HDB flat, you’ll definitely have to do some space planning and compromises to your home décor to fit everything perfectly! There are, of course, some simple methods to make a small space look bigger! #lifehacks

Keep scrolling to find out 5 simple ways to make a small HDB BTO look more spacious.

1. Leaving empty spaces around

The first hack is really considering a suitable placement of furniture or big home décor pieces in your new home. #Didyouknow that you don’t have to place all of your items near the wall or squeeze them near to one another even though the space is small? Try setting your furniture at an angle with some surrounding space. This can quickly help create an illusion that you have a spacious home – a definitely must-try home décor hack if you have a small living room area.