The self-storage industry is a relatively new business which provides tenants with the opportunity to rent storage space for their needs. They can be either businesses or individuals. The self-storage industry provide containers, rooms or open area space where everyone can store and  reach his or her items any time he need them. What is specific for this kind of space rental is that the companies don't have the option to enter the place or reach any of the content stored there. They also do not dispose or take possession of these contents, unless a bill is unpaid. Another curious fact is that the rented areas are often secure enough because the tenant owns a key and lock. The payment is on a monthly basis and it depends on the square meters used.  It does not matter whether you want to store personal belongings for which you don't have space at home or you are a small business owner who needs to store his goods, the self-storage operators will rent you the space you need for as long as you need it.
As I mentioned, this is a relatively new business niche. Such facilities started to appear in the 1960s.  Despite this late first appearance the business started slowly developing in the next decades. In the 90s with the rush of the modern economy development the self-storage industry began to flourish. In recent years thousands of new modern facilities are built per year.  
The self-storage industry is primarily a United States-based industry. Above 80% of all companies in the world are situated in the States. The reason for this can be found in the large size of the country and in the nature of Americans - they like to migrate throughout the US and therefore they need space to store their possessions when they move to a new place. Of course the variety of small businesses in the United States and the lack of space, especially in the cities, create the need for such facilities. In the rest of the world, self-storage space is less popular. Other countries where it is to some extent developed are Australia, the United Kingdom and France.

Self-storage auctions are another really interesting activity hold by the operators. When a tenant does not pay his rent the company has the right to hold a storage auction or lien to vacate his unit. These auctions are opened to the general public and every one can bid for the items. However, if the tenant pays his unpaid bill before the auction begins he will reclaim his things. Recently a self-storage operator in the US started a new charity initiative - they held a public auction and then donated the proceeds from it to a charity organization. The organizers are trying to establish a new practice where the storage facilities will serve as collection points for donated goods. These goods will be sold along with the other units on auction and the money will be donated to different charity organizations. They also started to encourage all their tenants to donate items. The organizers hope to widely spread their initiative.

Nowadays, self-storage appears to be a very useful service. Anyone can use it and keep any item, for any period in a secure and safe place. It can help your business development, help you when moving to a new home or office, or just store some excess personal belongings that you are not willing to throw out. The self-storage industry is a response to the growing needs for free space in modern society. And it is going to get even more and more popular among people all over the world.