Staff shortages are still a major issue for businesses in a post-pandemic world, but product delays and supply chain issues also top the list. Experts suggest that stockpiling your supplies is the way to go. By managing to secure and store extra supplies, you’ll be ahead of the game – and your competition.

Should you be able to score a surplus, where would you store it? A New York Times article from the beginning of the year predicted that companies would be scrambling to secure warehouse space to tackle this issue, causing a shortage in commercial and warehouse space.

Can’t find or can’t afford more storage? Here are five tips to better manage your inventory, maximize storage, and stay on top of customer demand with the space you already have:

1. Leverage your vertical space, while keeping the same footprint. Find a way to add shelving from floor to ceiling, to add a loft or extra shelving above your bay door. Use every vertical inch to store products or supplies.
2. Upgrade your racking. If your system is out of date, you may benefit from some tweaks or even from a full upgrade to get the most out of your space. Some companies have gone to a double-deep rack but beware of the FIFO (first in/first out) challenge that this may present.
3. Reduce aisle width. Is there an opportunity to narrow your aisles for wider storage space? If traffic is heavy or you use large equipment, this may not be feasible, but every foot counts, so make the most of what you have.
4. It’s time to consolidate locations. Is the same item located in two places? Combine these to make space for something else and to add efficiency to your flow. Similarly, if you have separate shipping and receiving docks, consider combining these to maximize your available floor space for storage.
5. Try something new! If you can swing it, consider storing supplies in an external storage container. This could give you a significant amount of extra space without disrupting your existing system.

With rising costs and hiring shortages being top-of-mind these days, try these tips to maximize your storage space, allowing you to stockpile supplies to better your business and your bottom line.