Dubai's strategic location - a prime spot between the East and West - and its extensive investment in infrastructure and transport have made the city a global logistics hub.
Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai South, and Meydan Free Zone are free trade zones that have increased the attractiveness of the emirate for starting a business. As a result, there has been an inflow of investments from different sectors, leading to high demand for logistics solutions, warehouse storage services, and fulfilment centres.
Read More: Dubai South emerges as a premium hub boosting global trade
Suppose you are running an eCommerce store or a general trading business with a substantial footprint in the UAE. You are considering renting a warehouse space in Dubai.
Finding the right warehouse to rent in Dubai can be quite a challenge. It's not only a big financial commitment but also a logistical one. Luckily, short-term rentals can be a viable solution to address your storage requirements. This way, you have the flexibility to choose the location, space, and payment options that work best for you.
Businesses opting for flexible warehousing don't have to commit to long-term warehouse contracts. It is also possible to get smaller storage services at multiple locations instead of the conventional method of renting a warehouse.
It is for these reasons this trend is catching up rapidly in the warehousing industry.
Read More: Leasing vs. On-Demand Warehousing
Choosing a warehouse rental in Dubai presents a significant financial and logistical undertaking.
Short-term rentals are more practical solutions to storage requirements as they do not tie you down like the regular rental options. The flexibility of the warehouses in terms of location, space, and payments is making it more popular by the day among businesses.
We have outlined some factors you need to know to select the right warehouse for a short-term rental in Dubai.
1. Choose the right Warehouse Type for your business
The type of warehouse suitable for your business in Dubai depends on different factors, such as the nature of your business, the products you deal with, and the amount of storage space you require.
Some common types of warehouses in Dubai are General Cargo, A/C-Non A/C warehouses, food grade warehouses, chemical/ dangerous goods warehouses etc.
Read More: Different types of storage spaces available in Dubai
2. Location and Accessibility
With same-day and next-day deliveries being the way forward, it makes sense to choose a location close to your business, target customers, employees, and major transportation hubs. This will make your inventory movement fast and seamless.
Ensure a decently large parking area nearby to facilitate smooth loading, unloading, entry, and exit of delivery vehicles.
Warehouses located close to highways with exit ramps can minimize your fuel consumption, save shipping costs and time, and avoid delayed deliveries.
Read More: Find the best locations for storage in Dubai
3. Size of The Warehouse
The size of your warehouse will depend on the volume and scale of your business operations. On-demand storage services allow you to choose space to meet your current requirements. You can scale up your storage space whenever needed and pay only on the actuals.
To determine the appropriate warehouse size, consider answering the following questions:
1. What type of business do you have?
2. What is the volume of your business operations - small/ medium/ large?
3. How much inventory do you need to store?
4. What kind of products do you need to store?
5. Does the warehouse offer the essential amenities to store your inventory appropriately, such as the right temperature, racks and containers, safety measures, etc.?
6. What are your packaging requirements - whether you need small or large packaging facilities?
Read More: Warehousing space - How much do you really need?
4. Cost Considerations
Warehousing involves a significant amount of your capital. In the case of an annual lease, the amount is huge, and you are bound to the space for the lease duration.
Short-term warehouse rentals or flexible warehousing is a game-changer in this aspect. The whole concept is paying only for what you use, with the flexibility to increase or decrease the space as required.
The cost of storage services differs significantly based on location (nearness to the airport, seaport, and transportation centres), warehouse size, and available facilities. Check out multiple warehousing facilities if you must.
Factor in the following points when considering the price of a short-term warehouse rental:
1. Tour the facilities of the options that fit your budget and needs.
2. Are there any value-added services that are provided?
3. Cost of any additional services, such as security, utilities, and maintenance.
5. Warehouse Amenities
Before renting a warehouse space for short in Dubai, explore the provider's amenities.
Check for:
1. Common warehouse conveniences other than storage provisions include restrooms, break rooms, and office space.
2. Additional amenities include on-site security, designated parking areas for employees, customers, delivery trucks, etc.
3. Ensure that the property's security features (CCTVs, biometric scanning, etc.) meet your needs.
4. Is the warehouse fully/ partially equipped? Check if they provide storage, picking, and packing equipment for short-term rentals.
5. Check whether you can safely stack your items vertically, leaving enough space to move around the warehouse safely.
6. You also have to consider whether there will be enough space for future growth without having to relocate to a new facility.
6. Review The Storage Service Terms
When you've found the right warehouse that fits your bill, take some time to read and understand the storage terms before signing your rental agreement. You'll have an opportunity to discuss the terms and potentially negotiate them.
It is always a good idea to review the main terms to ensure you're comfortable with them before signing the deal. This includes the service period, the exact rent amount, and any restrictions on what you can and can't do with the property.
Understand the municipality regulations that may apply to your business when using the warehouse facility.
Final Thoughts
Working with a professional On-demand warehousing specialist can assist you in understanding intricate service agreements of short-term rentals and ensure you get a fair deal. They'll also assist you in obtaining the necessary permissions and completing any required paperwork, which can help you avoid financial or legal issues ahead.
If you are searching for a short-term or a long-term warehouse storage facility in Dubai, look no further than us. Cargoz helps businesses - small and large - to get access to quality warehousing space anywhere in the UAE, of any type and any size.
To know more about our services and offers, feel free to get in touch with us.