Heavy-duty lockers have been used for police and the military for more than a decade.  We know there is a need in many other areas also.  Our lockers combine durability & aesthetics in personal storage. Day Use Lockers feature sturdy steel locker frame with sleek, full overlay doors. Because of this, they can be used in a high design area.  Although our Day Use Lockers enhance many settings, we’re seeing greatest demand in offices, spas/fitness centers, and higher education settings.

So what’s driving demand for these lockers in the workplace? We’re seeing three major themes: the move toward flexible office space, the need for security, and the need for aesthetically pleasing personal storage.

According to a recent article from Thinklab, the design of the workplace has transitioned into one of the most powerful tools of the HR department. There’s a focus on retention over attraction. Companies want to attract candidates by creating an inviting and unique workspace that encourages productivity and collaboration. But more than that, how are companies creating a great employee experience? Employers need to deliberately show the value of the work environment in order to retain their talent. How does the physical value of the office come through?

Employees crave flexibility and various work space types, even if it’s a project that they’re just working on alone. Companies are adopting choice-based work, a model that allows flexibility and a choice to work in non-traditional areas. Different working space for different work styles. Right now we want to think about it in terms of how to does the office compete with the value of being at home? With all this flexibility and floating around in the office, we need spaces to put our stuff – we don’t want to be carrying it around all day.

Employees today want to feel connected to the values of the company in which they work. This idea of ‘Community as a Strategy’ is focused on Good design that fosters the culture of the company and helps connect the employee to the mission and values of a company. Does the design of the office foster that? Do employees feel taken care of in a wellness sense? Office aesthetics can enhance a corporation’s brand and connect the employee to those values.

Different Workspaces Foster Creativity Communication Productivity

Let’s take a closer look at workplace flexibility. Things like Hot-desking, hoteling, abw (activity based working),  flex spaces – are all buzz words used to describe different workspaces – but the fact is that storage is a part of all these workspaces regardless of the type you have.

With fewer people in the office, space will need to be used in a way that gives on-site employees the peace of mind that they are safe and yet also in a place that fosters community, creativity and productivity. This sense of safety is extremely important as teams perform at the highest level when they feel safe both from a community standpoint but also an environmental standpoint.

And in an open office environment where employees can’t store their belongings at a permanently assigned desk, they need space to securely lock away their purses, workout gear, and other belongings without having to worry that they might get lost or stolen. Secure personal storage helps employees focus on their work.

How does this work today? Pre-pandemic adoption of hot-desking and all the other work styles described were on the rise, and now we’re all still figuring out what the future holds. Fewer people will be required to come into the office but the need for temporary space is still front and center.

Flexible work environments will be important and the safety and comfort of individual employees will be paramount.

Intellectual Property Concerns

Regardless of when workplaces return to normal (or establish a “new normal”), security will always be top of mind. Some employers prohibit personal electronic devices in work areas to protect intellectual property – either for the firm’s clients or the firm itself.

Lockers Enhance Interior Design

As a result of what’s happening in workplaces – the movement toward more open, flexible spaces and the need for security.  We know that personal storage is a crucial component of the modern workplaces. If it’s going to be present in workplaces, it might as well be beautiful.  We want the workers to work somewhere they enjoy.

We approach storage and lockers not as an after thought but rather as a way to enhance interior design.

Physical Spaces Influencing Behavior

Covid has made us consider the need for a dramatically new landscape. Working from home will be the new normal for many. For the office, infection control is the new priority. Physical spaces can influence and even control behavior, and in the COVID era we’re seeing the following in offices:

Retrofits to adhere to gov’t and global health guidelines

Reconfigurations to enhance safety which usually involves a new layout of space.

Reinvention to promote employee well-being. New designs are being developed to foster the feeling of community and productivity that we may be missing in these last several months of working from home.

Other design strategies include:

Capping room capacities

Removing furniture

Reducing high-touch surfaces

Limiting in-person interaction

Higher Education Trends

There is now an increased demand for health services and clean, safe athletic ocker rooms in the University environment.  So what trends are we seeing in the higher education space? At any given time, a typical student is carrying several thousand dollars of technology around campus: a smartphone and a laptop at the very least. They need secure storage for those items while they’re in class, participating in an activity or practice, or attending an appointment.

Speaking of appointments, the college experience is full of fun and personal growth for many students, but it can also be a time of stress, uncertainty, and even illness. The demand for student health services on campuses has been increasing in recent years, not only due to common ailments and injuries but also because of an increased awareness of mental health issues and the fact that more students with disabilities and chronic medical conditions are pursuing higher education.

Even before the COVID pandemic, college students were already seeking out mental health services at unprecedented rates. The pandemic has only increased demand, with students reporting feelings of isolation, anxiety, and financial distress due to the economic downturn.

These trends are driving many campuses to place a stronger emphasis on health, wellness, and preventive care. Campuses are renovating, relocating, or constructing new student health centers to help ensure that students are aware of health resources and can conveniently access them.

The increased demand for Health Services on campus may not seem like a trend that will drive Day Use lockers, but keep in mind that most universities have a health clinic or possibly a full-scale hospital. Students need a place to put their belongings while at appointments, or while they are working.

When it comes to Athletics on campus, the more dirty equipment and laundry that changes hands, the higher the risk of infection of any kind. We help reduce this risk by making the process of cleaning, organizing and storing equipment and uniforms safer and more efficient. Coaches feel there’s a benefit to our locker storage because it’s organized, it keeps the player equipment separate, and provides a sleek look in a very durable product.

Additional Higher Education Trends

Universities have transitioned to the need for short-term storage.   The second trend is the need for makerspaces.  Another trend is that students and faculty carry expensive gear on a regular basis.

Lockers have had a place on campus over the last several years, however we’ve seen those lockers transition from semester-long rentals to short term storage with banks of Day Use lockers being put in convenient locations for students.

We’re also seeing a growing number of campus libraries and engineering schools adding makerspaces and students often need to store work in progress between work sessions.

Campuses are not only learning spaces for students — they’re also workplaces for faculty, academic staff, administrative assistants, and other employees. Although faculty and administrators usually have their own offices, other employees often work in open office environments and need secure personal storage.

Safety Concerns & Protective Measures

As we mentioned, students are carrying around expensive gear that needs to be secured when personal belongings are prohibited in labs, testing rooms, and special collections areas in libraries.

At the same time, universities have delicate and costly assets like lab equipment, rare books, museum collections, and other items that need to be protected.  Lockers can be positioned in common areas that enable personal belongings to be stored securely, keeping them out of these areas that focus on protection and preservation of the institution’s assets.

Spa Revenues, Visits, and Locations are at an All-time High

The high-end spa market has been steadily growing over the past few years: US spa revenues, visits, and number of locations are at an all-time high.

Wellness tourism and travel is a key driver of spa growth. Hotels continue to diversify their spa and wellness offerings to generate more revenue.

Creating Tranquility

Spas create a high-end experience in a serene environment .  Spa goers are looking for a high-end and relaxing experience. This needs to be reflected in all  areas of the spa, including the locker rooms. They are expected to be convenient, highly aesthetic, and clean.

It’s also important for spas to take into account the impact of social media and how photos from their facility will play out online. Potential clients may look at Instagram or yelp to see more photos of how a place really looks and not just the glossy ones on the company’s website.

What are the effects of Covid on High-End spas? People are looking to disconnect and focus on their own physical and mental health as the pandemic wears on. The lack of boundaries between work and life while being connected 24/7 are contributing to today’s state of unprecedented stress.

At the same time, drive-to leisure destinations have been one of the first markets to show signs of recovery during COVID. People enjoy a sense of control and safety when they can drive to a destination as opposed to traveling by air.

As a result, visits to local spas are replacing distant vacations. Spas are an oasis where people can detach from daily life, enjoy quiet time, connect to nature, and find a sense of balance. Spas are motivated to invest in aesthetics and guest comfort, particularly when those investments help them welcome more clients.

Call us today for a free no obligation visit in regards to day lockers.