Return Of The Car Boot Sales

3 months ago 11th Jul 15:07

Car Boot Fairs Enjoy Surge In Popularity Brits Set To Make An Epic £2.2 Billion This Summer

The nationwide tightening of purse strings has resulted in more Brits than ever choosing to spend their weekends with their heads in other people's cars with the old-fashioned boot sale enjoying a modern renaissance. An estimated 19.4 million (41 per cent) UK adults say they intend to rummage through three or more car boot sales this summer, with 71 per cent visiting at least one - an increase of 8 per cent compared to last year's boot sale attendance.

Chevrolet, the car maker synonymous with value for money, questioned over 1,000 UK adults to mark the launch of the "Epica Guide to Car Booty" - an ebook of tips and hints co-written with Eric Knowles on how to spot the best value for money items - courtesy of the new Epica, a 4-door saloon that offers unrivalled value.

Nearly half of Brits (47 per cent) say that hunting for a boot-iful bargain is one of their favourite weekend pastimes. The majority (57 per cent) admit that the current financial climate means they are more likely to go to a car boot sale with approximately 22 million Brits (46 per cent) believing boot sales are the best place to find a real bargain.

Results show the number of car boot sellers has increased significantly this year with an estimated 1.1 million additional traders capitalising on growing attendance figures. Over a third of British adults (33 per cent) are planning to rake it in this summer - as the average car boot seller expects to take £142. With the typical household claiming to have £870 worth of unused goods, the remaining 67 per cent who are not planning to load their boots this summer could be missing a trick.

Having always attracted an older consumer, boot sales are now more popular than ever with the younger generation

Well-known Antiquarian Eric Knowles (BBC Antiques Roadshow) comments; "Boot sales are a fabulous way to stumble across some amazing finds for next to nothing. Trust me, there are some great value goodies still waiting to be discovered in the nation's car boots, you never know you could even come across a hidden treasure worth tens of thousands of pounds. Never forget one man's trash is another's treasure, so let the hunt begin!"

The Welsh are more likely to attend a car boot sale than any other shoppers in the country, with a huge 79 per cent planning to visit at least one this year. Wales also appears to be home to the most die hard car boot raiders with 30 per cent claiming to attend six or more this year. Bargain hunters in the South West come second in their love for a rummage, with 78 per cent saying that they will be investigating their local boot sales this season.

Having always attracted an older consumer, boot sales are now more popular than ever with the younger generation. This year attendance by the under 25's is expected to be up by 15 per cent, with younger buyers getting in on the bargain hunting action.

More about Return Of The Car Boot Sales on page 2