5 Creative Ideas for Shipping Container Businesses

There are quite a few different ways to set up a business these days. You can have an online-only business, a traditional brick-and-mortar shop, or a pop-up business that shows up in different locations for a limited period.

Another approach you may not have considered is having a shipping container business. You can easily rent a shipping container and use it as either a pop-up business or a permanent location without all the expenses associated with a traditional brick-and-mortar shop.

These are five creative business ideas that you could set up in a rented shipping container:

• Coffee shop
• Bar
• Boutique Thrift Store
• Art gallery
• Bookstore

1. Coffee shop in a rented shipping container

Coffee shops are not a trend; they are here to stay! A coffee shop can be an excellent option for a shipping container business, as you don’t need much space to set up a successful coffee business.

You can decorate your rented shipping container (both inside and out) to reflect how you want your customers to view your coffee shop. Whether that’s casual and fun or sleek and upscale, you can change how your rented shipping container looks to attract your customer base.

You can also put seating inside or outside your shipping container, or set yourself up as a “to-go” only coffee shop. You can even set up your rented shipping container, so orders are only taken via a take-out window—the choice is yours!

2. Bar in a rented shipping container

When people head out to bars, they often look for a new and unique experience. Whether that’s the look and feel of a traditional bar or a signature cocktail, people are more likely to gravitate to your establishment if they feel it offers something different than their previous experiences.

A rented shipping container bar is a great way to offer your customers a unique experience. You can place it in locations (such as a beach or boardwalk) where a traditional bar can’t be located. Also, you can easily change up the look and feel of the bar to match any occasion, such as a holiday or local festival!

3. Boutique thrift store in a rented shipping container

Boutique clothing stores operating out of shipping containers are a trend rising in popularity.

Whether you’re using your temporary container space to set up a pop-up shop or to support an online store, there are many ways a shipping container can support your boutique clothing business.

To jump on another widespread trend, thrifting and consignment have become even more popular over the last few years. With a shipping container thrift boutique, it’s easy to meet with customers so they can browse your merchandise or come in to sell or consign items of their own.

4. Art gallery in a rented shipping container

Another option for setting up a business in a shipping container for rent is an art gallery. Whether you want to focus on one type of art, such as sculptures, or provide a place for local artists to showcase their work, a shipping container can be an inexpensive way to set up a gallery location quickly.

After all, you just need some open space and art to start!

5. Bookstore in a rented shipping container

Setting up a bookstore is another great choice for a shipping container business. Whether you want to sell new or used books, or both, a shipping container is a quick and easy way to get started.

The main thing to consider is how much space you’ll have in a bookstore created in a shipping container. You may want to limit the focus of your store to certain types of books to ensure you have enough space.

How can Sigma Container help me if I’m interested in shipping containers for rent?

If you’ve been thinking of setting up a shipping container business, then the best place to get started is by renting a shipping container. By renting one on a monthly basis, you can try out your business without committing to a long-term contract.

Another great benefit of getting a shipping container for rent from Sigma Container is that you aren’t locked into a specific location for your business. If you aren’t getting the foot traffic needed to make your business sustainable, you can easily move your shipping container to a new location.

At Sigma Container, we provide all of the following when it comes to shipping containers for rent:

• We offer several different sizes of shipping containers you can rent.
• We can have one delivered to you in less than a week after you order it.
• We’ll move it to the location you’ve specified.
• We’re flexible. We can move your rented shipping container to a new location, and work with you if you decide to own it permanently.

Contact Us for More Information

If you’ve been considering starting up a small business, but don’t have the cash flow to commit to a traditional storefront setup, then a rented shipping container may be a great choice for you! At Sigma Container, we can help you get started with our shipping containers for rent in various sizes that we’ll deliver to your desired location.

Call us at 1-877-225-7762 or contact us online today to learn more about how you can rent a shipping container.