UniGroup - Competitors

UniGroup Competition

Now Viewing UniGroup's competition in: Moving and Storage (primary)

Recent Developments

U-Haul Helps Storm Victims - U-Haul is reaching out to storm victims over a wide portion of the US, from hurricane victims in Florida and Houston, to severe weather victims in Phoenix. The company offers free limited-range storage in advance of the storms where possible. In addition, U-Haul runs the U-Haul Box Exchange, which gives free storage and moving boxes.

Housing News Hopeful by 2009 - Home sales, a traditionally strong indicator for the moving and storage industry, should return to growth in 2009, rising nearly 7 percent from 2008, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Additionally, prices, which have been falling in many areas, should resume growth in 2009. For 2008, NAR expects the housing market won't change much, despite continual shifts in local real estate markets.

Gas, Diesel Prices Continue Rise - Moving and storage companies are spending more on fuel in 2008 than in 2007, and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts further increases in 2009. As of early September 2008, average diesel prices were up 39 percent and average gas prices were up 29 percent compared to the same period in 2007. In 2009, the EIA predicts a 4.1 percent increase in the average diesel price, and a 7.5 percent increase in the average gas price compared to 2008.

Competitive Landscape

Home sales, residential rental turnover, and corporate relocations drive demand for moving and storage services. The profitability of individual companies depends on good marketing, as services are largely the same. Small companies can compete with large ones by offering competitive prices and better service for local moves. Large companies have economies of scale in being able to consolidate loads on long hauls. The industry is fairly labor-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is about $120,000.

Full Industry Overview For Moving and Storage

Moving and Storage Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

US personal consumption expenditures for other personal and business services, which includes moving and storage facilities and services, are forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4.7 percent between 2008 and 2013.

Steady Consumer Spending Growth on Personal, Business Services

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.