Auctions Barometer

The auction sector is buoyant with 38% of agents reporting increased lot numbers in Q2 2024. Despite this positivity, challenges remain. The economic outlook remains mixed; our members are concerned about the cost of doing business. Positively, the quarter ended with inflation in line with the Bank of England’s target, a precursor to a long-awaited reduction in the base rate.

2024 has started well. In the Residential and Commercial property sectors, there seems to be a return of confidence, probably helped by the hold in interest rates. Catalogue numbers remain strong and registered bidder levels are also high. Our Fine Art and Chattels members report that 2024 has started buoyantly with plenty of bidders keen to get out of the blocks and acquire lots at all price levels and across all fields of collecting and furnishing.

For the last quarter of 2023 in the property auction sector, catalogue numbers continued to grow substantially, although high numbers of properties continue to be withdrawn before auction. In the commercial auction sector sales and instructions are experiencing a notable surge propelled by corporate insolvencies spanning various sectors. In the goods, chattels, and fine art sector there continues to be a plentiful supply of buyers to create competitive open market bidding in all sectors.

Despite inflation moving in the right direction, economic uncertainty continues to affect auction markets and beyond with many members expressing concerns. In the property auction sector, catalogue numbers have continued to grow substantially, although high numbers of properties continue to be withdrawn prior to auction. In the commercial auction sector sales and instructions are experiencing a notable surge propelled by corporate insolvencies spanning various sectors.

Our latest report has revealed that online auctions, particularly non-live formats, have gained popularity and surpassed traditional ballroom auctions, indicating a potential long-term shift away from in-person auctions.

The very first NAVA Propertymark member report outlines what’s going on for the sector and, as expected, it shows members are struggling with the decision to return to in-person auctions or to remain online.