StoreLocal Corp., a co-op of private self-storage operators in Canada and the United States, has released a whitepaper discussing technological evolution in the industry and how it has shaped today’s market. “Cabs, Corn and Cubes: What’s Next in the Evolution of the Self Storage Industry?” includes results from a four-year study examining advantages leveraged by real estate investment trusts and venture-capital disruptions, according to a press release.

“Recent technological changes in the self-storage industry have left many operators unprepared to meet new consumer expectations,” company officials said in the release. “StoreLocal's latest whitepaper explores the possible commoditization caused by the new technology, past phases that created today's environment, and strategies operators can use to adapt and differentiate their companies.”

Report topics include adapting to changing consumer expectations, investing in technology, and strategies to compete under current market conditions, among others.

“StoreLocal is a transparent operation, and we wanted to share what we’ve learned during the last four years with the industry,” said Lance Watkins, CEO. “If the whitepaper accomplished only a couple things—getting operators to look at renters as customers and technology as an investment—then ultimately, we were successful.”

The 18-page PDF report can be downloaded from the StoreLocal website.

StoreLocal leverages the combined strength of its membership for services such as customer acquisition, financing, marketing and technology. The co-op acquired online self-storage directories StorageFront.com and SelfStorageHounds.com in January.

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