Shurgard
Shurgard Self Storage is Europe's largest self-storage operator, offering flexible monthly storage unit rentals across seven European countries (UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands) to individual consumers and small businesses.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersThames Ditton, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Shurgard does
Shurgard Self Storage is Europe's largest self-storage operator, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Thames Ditton, United Kingdom. The company is publicly listed on Euronext under the ticker SHUR and operates a network of physical self-storage facilities across seven European countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Within the UK, Shurgard maintains an extensive regional footprint with storage clusters in London, the East Midlands, East of England, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, and Wales, accessed via self-serve online rental, a mobile app (gate access, invoicing, account management), and phone-based sales support.
The core product is monthly subscription rental of physical storage units in multiple sizes, with no minimum stay, 15-day cancellation notice, extended 7-day access hours, and security infrastructure including surveillance cameras, perimeter fencing, alarms, and individual access codes. Ancillary revenue streams include lock sales, optional SHURProtect goods protection coverage, administration fees, and moving boxes/packing supplies. Two customer segments are addressed: individual/residential customers (moving, renovating, decluttering, student, seasonal tyre storage) and business customers (archive, equipment, last-mile delivery, multi-site, office move, and stock storage).
The business model is asset-heavy real estate with recurring subscription revenue at unit level, complemented by ancillary fees. GTM is primarily product-led growth via a direct-to-consumer online reservation platform with inside sales backup, supported by content marketing, social media, SEO, and promotional pricing (£1 first month, 50% first month, Online Special). Distribution is governed by physical location density (described as Europe's largest network), supplemented by the mobile app and phone channel. Shurgard acquired UK operator Lok'nStore in 2024, and holds ESG credentials including BEL ESG membership, GRESB Sector Leader (2023), and EPRA Gold (2021).
Shurgard firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shurgard
- Legal name
- Shurgard Self Storage
- Website
- https://shurgard.co.uk
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Shurgard Self Storage is Europe's largest self-storage operator, offering flexible monthly storage unit rentals across seven European countries (UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands) to individual consumers and small businesses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shurgard industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Storage Services
- NAICS
- Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage Units (53113), Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage Units (531130), General Warehousing and Storage (493110)
- SIC
- Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Real Estate Investment Trusts (6798)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage (HSAKAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business & Commercial Self-Storage (Inventory/Records) (HSAKAGAD)
Keywords
Where Shurgard is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Thames Ditton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices18 records
Markets served
Shurgard business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Storage Unit Rental: Monthly recurring rental revenue from storage unit leases. Customers pay monthly rent with flexible 15-day notice cancellation terms. No minimum stay required. Revenue is subscription-based and predictable, driven by occupancy rates and rental pricing across the facility network.
- Ancillary Services: Additional revenue streams including lock sales, optional SHURProtect insurance/add-on coverage, and administration fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Online Special pricing for online reservations |
| Subscription | Monthly | £1 First Month promotion |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Monthly Rental |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Shurgard product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shurgard operates a network of self-storage facilities across seven European countries (UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands), renting storage units of varying sizes to individuals and small/medium businesses on flexible monthly contracts. The company supplements its core rental offering with ancillary services and products including a mobile app, online booking platform, SHURProtect goods protection insurance, locks, and moving boxes.
Product overview
Shurgard operates as a self-storage operator offering a unified platform of storage solutions. The core product consists of self-storage units available in various sizes for both personal and business use, with flexible month-to-month contracts. The company also provides complementary services including the Shurgard mobile app for account management, SHURProtect goods protection insurance, and moving boxes as ancillary products. Business customers can access specialized storage services including archive, equipment, stock, and last-mile delivery storage, while personal customers have options for furniture, seasonal tyre, and student storage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Storage Units
- Business Storage Units
- SHURProtect
- Storage Accessories (Locks and Moving Boxes)
Companies that use Shurgard
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Shurgard technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Shurgard partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Teenage Cancer TrustminorShurgard has a charitable partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK cancer charity supporting young people with cancer.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shurgard competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Big Yellow Group: Big Yellow is the largest dedicated self-storage operator in the UK with a similar business model offering flexible monthly self-storage units to consumer and business customers. Its UK focus, listed status, and operational approach closely parallel Shurgard's UK operations.
- Safestore Holdings: Safestore is a UK-listed self-storage group with operations spanning the UK and major European markets including France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Its multi-country platform, listed REIT structure, and consumer/business segmentation directly overlap with Shurgard's footprint and operating model.
- Public Storage: Public Storage is the largest self-storage operator in the United States and is explicitly linked to Shurgard's UK website, signaling a historic corporate relationship. Its model of operating owned self-storage facilities on monthly recurring rentals is the direct reference point for Shurgard's strategy.
- Access Self Storage: Access Self Storage is a UK-based self-storage operator offering flexible rental units and business storage to residential and SME customers. Its UK-focused facility network and similar service portfolio make it a like-for-like competitor to Shurgard's UK operations.
Broad incumbents
- Extra Space Storage: Extra Space Storage is one of the largest US self-storage REITs with a primarily American footprint and brand. While non-overlapping geographically with Shurgard, it is highly comparable in model, REIT structure, and customer segmentation.
- CubeSmart: CubeSmart operates a national US self-storage REIT portfolio targeting both residential and business customers. Its scale, REIT-financed growth strategy, and product offering closely mirror Shurgard's European platform even though its footprint is US-only.
- Life Storage: Life Storage is a publicly traded US self-storage REIT operating hundreds of facilities across the United States. Now part of Extra Space Storage, it remains a relevant comparable for the scale, branding, and recurring rental economics Shurgard targets in Europe.
- National Storage Affiliates Trust: National Storage Affiliates Trust is a US-listed self-storage REIT with an affiliate-driven operating model spanning thousands of facilities. Its REIT structure and franchise-like operating approach inform the way Shurgard's pan-European platform is evaluated by investors.
Emerging players
- PODS Enterprises: PODS provides portable storage containers and full-service moving and storage solutions in the US, Canada, UK, and other markets. While not a fixed-facility self-storage operator like Shurgard, it competes for the same residential and small-business moving and storage demand.
Regional players
- Storebox: Storebox is a self-storage operator with a strong footprint in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As a regional DACH-focused competitor, it overlaps with Shurgard's German operations and competes for the same urban storage demand.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shurgard social profiles
Digital presenceShurgard compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Shurgard financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shurgard leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Shurgard subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Shurgard funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shurgard M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shurgard
What does Shurgard do?
Shurgard operates a network of self-storage facilities across seven European countries (UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands), renting storage units of varying sizes to individuals and small/medium businesses on flexible monthly contracts. The company supplements its core rental offering with ancillary services and products including a mobile app, online booking platform, SHURProtect goods protection insurance, locks, and moving boxes.
Is Shurgard a public or private company?
Shurgard is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Shurgard founded?
Shurgard was founded in 1994. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Shurgard based?
Shurgard is headquartered in Thames Ditton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Shurgard make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Storage Unit Rental is the primary driver. The others are ancillary Services.
Who are Shurgard's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Big Yellow Group, Safestore Holdings, Public Storage and Access Self Storage. Broad incumbents are Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, Life Storage and National Storage Affiliates Trust. PODS Enterprises is listed as an emerging player. Storebox is listed as a regional player.
Does Shurgard have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shurgard.
What industry is Shurgard in?
Shurgard's product category is Self-Storage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAKAGAB, Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage, with a secondary code of HSAKAGAD, Business & Commercial Self-Storage (Inventory/Records). Its NAICS code is 53113 and its SIC code is 4220.