Industry Statistics – January 2009/10 – June 2009/10

Half year industry statistics reveal an encouraging outlook for the domestic industry. The
removals market saw a rise in the first six months of 2010 in comparison to 2009; It is pleasing
to note that UK moves increased by almost 11% (Figure 1), with the month of February showing
an increase of almost 22% this year.

Staff employed and vehicles in use continue to stabilise with similar figures reported this year
and last year (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Reports from the National Association of Estate Agents
(NAEA) substantiate our findings, with them reporting a rise in demand for property in June.
Accordingly housing stock is low, with demand outstripping supply and pointing towards a
buoyant market as more people search for a new home. The latest Land Registry House Price
Index Report reveal both House Price and Sales Volume for England and Wales have risen
since January 2009 again pointing towards a recovering domestic market although December
2009 and January 2010 saw a sharp dip in sales volume (Figure 4).

According to The British Bankers’ Association ‘mortgage lending continued its spring rise into
May with the number of mortgages approved for house purchases climbing to its highest level
so far this year’.

Moves to European countries 2010 compared to 2009 by month have been erratic to say the
least, with peaks and troughs throughout the six month period. Year to date figures however
show approximately a 2% increase in 2010 compared to 2009 (Figure 5). The International
Removals market has seen a significant decrease during five of the six months resulting in an
overall decrease of almost 17% (Figure 6). Top European and Overseas (non-European)
destinations, are detailed in figure 7 and 8.

In conclusion this report shows encouraging signs of recovery in the removals market. Let’s
hope that the remaining six months of 2010 are just as positive. BAR will be compiling statistics
of these when results are available.

BAR would like to thank those members who have participated in the industry surveys-
without whom we would be unable to compile such valuable statistics.

Please note that all information received is aggregated and treated in the strictest of
confidence.
(Figure 1)

Moves Within the UK
2010 compared to 2009 by month
25.00%
Feb
20.00% 21.52%
Apr
15.00% YTD
12.12%
10.61%
10.00% Mar June
12.25% 4.66%
5.00% Jan
May
7.99%
6.54%
0.00%

(Figure 2)

Staff Employed 
2010 compared to 2009 by month
3.00%
June
2.00% 1.75%
May
1.00%
2.11%
Feb
0.00% ‐0.82%
Apr
‐1.00% YTD
‐0.33%
‐2.00% Mar ‐0.85%
‐1.40%
‐3.00% Jan
‐4.00% ‐3.45%
(Figure 3)

Vehicles in use 
2010 compared to 2009 by month
1.50%
Feb
1.00% June
0.68%
May 0.65%
0.50% Mar
0.98%
0.00%
0.00%
YTD
‐0.50% 0.04%
Apr
‐0.34%
‐1.00% Jan
‐1.03%
‐1.50%

(Figure 4; Source: Land Registry)

(Figure 5)

Moves to European Countries 
2010 compared to 2009 by month
50.00% Feb
40.00% 39.81%

30.00%
20.00% Apr June
10.91% 8.22%
10.00%
0.00% YTD
May
‐10.00% Mar 0.00% 1.85%
Jan
‐20.00% ‐8.32% ‐16.78%

(Figure 6)

Moves to Overseas (non European countries)
2010 compared to 2009 by month
10.00% Apr
5.00% 3.70%
0.00%
‐5.00%
Mar YTD
‐10.00%
‐6.74% ‐16.67%
‐15.00% Feb
‐20.00% ‐15.11%
‐25.00%
‐30.00% June
Jan
May ‐27.73%
‐35.00% ‐27.89%
‐29.56%
(Figure 7)

Top 3 European Top 3 European

destinations: January – destinations: January -
June 2009 June 2010

1. France 1. France

2. Spain 2. Germany

3. Germany 3. Spain

(Figure 8)

Top 3 Overseas (non – Top 3 Overseas (non-

European) destinations: European) destinations:
January - June 2009 January – June 2010

1. Australia 1. Australia

2. USA 2. New Zealand

3. New Zealand 3. USA

For more information about BAR, please contact:-

BAR Commercial Department

01923 699 483 / commercial@bar.co.uk

BAR Press Enquiries:

BAR Marketing Officer

Devina Parshotam
01923 699 498 / devina.parshotam@bar.co.uk

BAR Marketing Officer

Joanne Swinton
01923 699 494 / joanne.swinton@bar.co.uk