Latest News from Everett Masson & Furby
What sold in 2012?
The EM&F Group continue to see activity in all sectors, whilst some sectors are more popular than others the one aspect that stands out is no matter what sector a business is in, if it is quality well presented and priced correctly then it will receive interest. Looking at what has sold in the various sectors and comparing to 2011 there are a number of 'Movers', 'Non Movers' and 'Fallers' to include a few surprises:-
The 'Movers' include Bakers & Butchers, there are less on our streets these days but the remaining ones tend to be of a quality nature and are not out there to compete on price with the supermarkets but to offer a quality product and become a destination outlet offering niche brands of meat and artisan breads. Laundrettes are being seen as a wise investment, in particular those self service outlets operated on a time lock basis and requiring minimal day to day owner involvement. Demand for Garage Repair Workshops has increased as car owners turn to the independent for their servicing rather than the main dealer in the hope of a more favourable pricing structure.
The 'Non Movers' include the ever popular Convenience Store/Newsagent, demand continues to remain strong, in particular for the high turnover sites albeit it should be noted high turnover does not always mean high profits and careful attention has to be paid to running costs such as rent and rates especially in busy high streets. Demand from the independent has been seen for sites in smaller towns/large villages whereby the perceived risk of a large national opening nearby is considerably lower than in a large town/city. Catering continues to be in demand, in particular those trading daytimes and offering an easily prepared menu as the British 'Coffee Culture' continues to spread. The 'Miscellaneous' business sector continues to attract significant interest, this sector comprises a huge range of business types but one than stands out is Online Retailing with the EM&F Group experiencing considerable success and if it was a sector in its own right would definitely be a 'Mover'.
The 'Fallers' probably come as no surprise, activity in the Post Office sector has decreased but this does not mean they are a poor investment with some very good deals to be had as prices become realistic and attractive offering substantial profits to owner operators. Activity in the Pub & Hotel sector has also fallen, not through lack of interest but through funding with these type of businesses being contained within substantial properties commanding a considerable 'Bricks & Mortar' value and without a significant cash deposit are difficult to fund. With the public continuing to tighten their purse strings maybe the reason behind why the demand for Hair & Beauty Salons has decreased with expenditure seen as a luxury but it needs to be remembered most people need a hair cut some time and this is something the internet cannot do!
Users of the EM&F website may wish to visit the 'Recent Sales' section of the site just to see for themselves what has actually sold over the years with the demand for quality businesses stronger than ever, if you are thinking of selling your business and require a free no obligation market appraisal then please contact your local EM&F office or visit:- http://emfgroup.com/valuation