LAPADA Member Survey

The LAPADA, the UK's association for art and antique dealers has recently released results from its annual survey of members.  I have not been able to locate the full survey, but the Antiques Trade Gazette has published a glimpse of some of the statistics.  The news and outlook for the upcoming year is good.  I will try to get more information on the survey and report additional information when published. The eye opening statistic, is that more dealers are doing business at shows and fairs then through shop sales.  The survey showed a drop in shop sales from 67% to 56% with an increase in fair sales from 18% to 27.5%.  Surprisingly internet sales showed only a little growth, which I guess is good that people still like to touch, feel and see before purchasing.

In the meantime, the ATG reports

With almost a quarter of the membership taking part, 29% of respondents expected turnover to be higher in 2010, compared with only 15% – from an almost identical cross section – who were similarly optimistic last year.

At the other end of the scale, 23% of those polled thought turnover would fall compared with 57% in 2009.

Although business was worse for almost half the polled membership last year, it was still better for 22%.

Those operating out of a shop or gallery has remained fairly static at 58% (60% in the previous year), while 60% (67%) exhibit at fairs, 3% (8%) deal at fairs only and 30% (34%) hold in-house exhibitions.

Interestingly, less business is now being done in shops and galleries, 56% (67%), and more at fairs, 27.5% (18%).

Internet sales have also risen to 11.5% from 8% last year, although the share of dealers who have sold stock on the internet at all has only climbed 1% to 68% of the polled membership.

Meanwhile, sales through auction have remained all but level at 3% (4%), as have those through catalogues 2% (3%).

The United States remains the most important overseas market for 64% of respondents, but that is down 5% from last year, while the EU has seen a rise in importance for 27% (18%).