A Farmer’s Most Precious Commodity: How to Expand Storage in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar

In the bustling world of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, efficient inventory management is just as important as a healthy crop. With a huge variety of items to collect, from crops and foraged goods to fish and minerals, your initial pocket and storage shed capacity will quickly prove to be a major bottleneck. Luckily, the game provides several ways to expand your storage, giving you the space you need to become a successful merchant at the weekly Bazaar. Here’s everything you need to know about expanding your storage and managing your inventory for maximum profit.

Upgrading Your Backpack and Shed

The primary way to increase your storage is by purchasing upgrades from a specific character at the weekly Bazaar. Unlike other farming simulators where you buy a backpack from a general store, in Grand Bazaar, you must talk to a specific character to unlock these vital upgrades. The character you need to find is Wilbur, whose stall is located in the bottom right corner of the Bazaar area, next to Miguel. Wilbur is only available on Saturdays, so make sure you don’t miss him.

When you speak to Wilbur, you will have three main options for expansion:

• Backpack Expansion: This upgrade immediately increases your “pocket” or rucksack space, allowing you to carry more items on the go. This is a crucial upgrade, as it allows you to collect more items from your farm and the surrounding environment without having to constantly run back to your shed.
• Storage Shed Expansion: This upgrade increases the number of slots in your storage shed on the farm. Unlike the backpack expansion, this upgrade takes one full day for Wilbur to complete. Once finished, you will have more room to store your raw materials, finished goods, and other items. You can upgrade your storage multiple times, with each expansion adding more slots and increasing in price.
• Field Expansion: While not strictly a storage upgrade, Wilbur can also expand your field, giving you more space to plant crops and trees. This is a vital upgrade for any aspiring farmer, as more crops mean more goods to sell and more profits.

The Challenge of Inventory Management

Even with a fully upgraded shed and backpack, managing your inventory can be a challenge. The game has a unique system where items of the same type only stack if they have the same quality or “star rank.” This means that if you have a 2-star turnip and you pick up a 1-star turnip, they will take up two separate slots in your bag. This is a design choice that adds a layer of complexity to inventory management, encouraging you to focus on raising the quality of your goods to maximize your sales at the Bazaar.

Another key aspect to consider is the freshness of your items. Items stored in your backpack will decay faster than those stored in your shed. You can even pay to have your shed upgraded to a “Minor Storage Power-Up” which keeps items fresher for longer. This adds a strategic element, forcing you to think about what you want to sell at the next Bazaar and what items you should store for later use.

Tips for Efficient Storage

Here are a few additional tips to help you manage your inventory and get the most out of your limited space:

• Use the Windmills as Temporary Storage: The windmills, which you use to process items, can also function as a temporary storage space. If you’re running out of room, you can put items you want to process in the windmill’s input bin to free up space in your bag.
• Prioritize High-Value Goods: With limited storage, it is essential to prioritize what you are going to sell. Processed goods, like cooked meals, jewelry, and perfume, sell for much higher prices at the Bazaar than raw crops. Focus on storing these high-value items for the end of the week.
• Strategize Your Bazaar Sales: Your stall at the Bazaar has a separate, limited inventory. Make sure to fill it with your best, most valuable items. Once a shift starts, you cannot restock your stall, so it’s a good idea to bring a variety of items to cater to different customers.

By using these strategies and investing in your storage, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful and wealthy farmer in Zephyr Town.