Why we should
embrace the
sharing economy
in warehousing
The sharing economy is now well-known. We all share our meals via Thuisafgehaald.nl, our homes via Airbnb.com, our cars via Snappcar.nl and everything that is in the way or threatens to dust in the attic via Peerby.com. After all, you don’t have to own what someone else has in order to be able to use it.
The Sharing Economy for Warehousing
The sharing economy enables us to convert all inactive existing assets and overcapacity, individually or professionally, into active revenue and profit by offering their use for sale or rental. Let’s compare this to the capital-intensive warehouse market.
We believe that the traditional warehouse market has two losers. Namely the logistics service provider that cannot use its full capacity and the manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler that cannot find a quick and sustainable solution for its (temporary) overflow. Both the logistics service provider and the shipper want more freedom in where, when and for how long goods are stored.
No more lost warehouse capacity for the logistics service provider
The warehouse market often has overcapacity and available facilities that are not used. These are deliberately saved for when they will be needed in the (near) future. Imagine managing warehouses with an average capacity of 80% used and 20% unused. In the traditional market, this overcapacity does not pay for anything and costs a lot. Especially in the long term. All storage capacity for which nothing is earned. What a pity, isn’t it?
What if you can convert your overcapacity into a lasting source of income?
Your empty warehouse can be used by companies that need warehouse space. Fortunately, we are not the only ones who think so. In America Flexe, OLIMP, Flowspace and Stord are trying to disrupt the warehouse market and in Dubai, Findwarehouse.space is the platform where you need to be. Stockspots is happy to fulfil your warehousing needs within Europe.
Fast solutions for the overflow of your warehouse
As soon as you have outgrown your own warehouse space, you will traditionally have to focus on buying or building new facilities. Often you have to deal with high prices and long-term contracts. This can and especially needs to be done differently.
The market is continuously changing. External factors can cause your new facilities to become unrealistic in a few decades’ time. You generally loose a lot of time in the purchasing or construction process of a warehouse. Do all the costs outweigh this? By using (temporary) residual capacity from existing warehouses you no longer have to worry about this. All warehousing (fulfillment services included) will be pay-per-use and based on your flexible needs.
Shared warehouses are particularly interesting for seasonal products with a high storage capacity for short periods. After all, what do you do with unused square metres as soon as the peak is over? Where can you get rid of your overflow at peak times, for example? Through on-demand warehousing platforms, you can enter into short-term warehouse agreements with existing facilities with overcapacity outside your own network.
Strategic and long-term advantages for the consumer and the environment
Sharing capacity can also have many strategic advantages. For instance, by contributing to a ‘micro-logistics network’ where the tactical use of smaller, localized warehouses allows you to position your stock closer to the customer, accelerate your speed and reduce your CO2 emissions. This not only prevents a waste of space and money, but also of time and the environment. With this in mind, we offer logistics service providers a market in which they can generate revenue from their (inter)nationally placed warehouses. At the same time, we offer manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers a modern network to better manage their storage space.