Online retail is no longer a side trend; it is a core part of how people shop in the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics, online sales accounted for 26.6% of total retail sales in 2023. Closer to home, data from Store Leads shows there are 131 live Shopify stores based in Perth as of August 2025. That does not count eBay or Amazon sellers, meaning the actual number of local online retailers is likely far higher.

Perth and Kinross has also been named the UK’s top local authority for business growth potential, with over 12% of local businesses expected to achieve 20% growth in the next year, well above the national average. For online sellers in Perth, from Etsy makers to Shopify entrepreneurs, this is fertile ground. What many of these businesses lack, however, is the right space to manage stock effectively.

On Strathtay Road, with a prominent frontage onto Crieff Road (A85), a new modular self-storage park is being planned. Using Strongholds™, purpose-built drive-up storage units, this development will offer online retailers in Perth the secure and flexible space they need to organise stock, fulfil orders, and grow with confidence.

The Role of Business Storage for Online Retailers

Optimising Space
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stock levels can fluctuate throughout the year. Business storage offers scalable solutions, providing space that can be increased or decreased as needed. This flexibility means retailers avoid being locked into oversized warehouses or struggling with limited space at home.

Enhancing Organisation
Efficient storage supports efficient work. With proper shelving, labelling, and planning, stock can be kept in order and easily found. Strongholds units are insulated, dry, and secure, creating the ideal environment for storing inventory and packaging supplies.

Separating Work and Home Life
Running a business from home can quickly lead to clutter. By moving inventory into a dedicated storage space, retailers free up personal space, creating a healthier balance between home life and work. For many small business owners, this separation also brings improved focus and productivity.

Ensuring Security
Online retailers often deal with valuable stock. That is why Strongholds™ are designed with reinforced steel, aerogel insulation, and digital access control. Combined with CCTV coverage across the Strathtay Road site, this creates peace of mind that products are safe at all times.

Supporting Growth
As businesses expand, storage needs change. Flexible business storage allows companies to scale up during peak seasons, such as Christmas or sale events, and then reduce space afterwards. This adaptability supports growth without the commitment of larger, permanent premises.

Benefits of Business Storage for Online Retailers

– Cost-effective: Renting a Stronghold™ is often cheaper than leasing warehouse space, especially for SMEs.
– Accessible: Drive-up access means loading stock straight from a car or van, saving time on every order cycle.
– Efficient inventory management: Clear organisation reduces overstocking, stock-outs, and delays in fulfilment.
– Seasonal flexibility: Extra space makes it easy to store seasonal stock safely and access it when demand peaks.

Case Studies: How Storage Helps Different Retailers

Creative and Independent Sellers
Independent sellers on platforms like Etsy or Shopify benefit from clear, organised storage. Using shelving, labelled boxes, and a dedicated space for shipping supplies allows them to fulfil orders quickly and present a professional service to customers. Strongholds™ offer the space and convenience to achieve this without overwhelming a home environment.

Growing Online Retailers
For larger online retailers, the challenge is often handling bulk stock and seasonal demand. Strongholds™ provide the capacity to store larger volumes securely, with drive-up convenience that makes collections and deliveries more efficient. This flexibility allows businesses to adapt to demand without being tied to expensive long-term warehouse contracts.

Why Strongholds™ in Perth are Different

Small businesses have long relied on traditional container storage, but it comes with issues such as condensation, poor insulation, and limited security. Strongholds™ solve these problems by being purpose-built for storage, not shipping.

At the new Strathtay Road site in Perth, online retailers will have access to:
– Insulated, weather-resistant storage units.
– Wide drive-up aisles for easy loading.
– Digital access systems for secure entry.
– Transparent, published pricing with no hidden fees.

This makes Strongholds™ a more intelligent choice for businesses that need reliability and flexibility.

Conclusion

Perth already has more than 130 independent Shopify stores, and hundreds more locals are likely selling through Amazon, eBay, and other platforms. With 35% of Scottish businesses now selling online, the trend is only moving in one direction.

For Perth’s online retailers, the new Strongholds™ site at Strathtay Road offers more than storage. It provides a professional, secure, and cost-effective platform to manage stock and meet customer demand.

Planning is in progress, and once approved, the site will open bookings for early reservations. In the meantime, you can follow updates on the Perth Storage Units website to see how this development could support your business growth.