Antiques & Appraisal School Releases Small Business "Trending" Data For 2012... - By: Dave

Florida – The old saying that every season has a reason, seems to be spot on when it comes to people looking to purchase antiques and collectibles. The Asheford Institute of Antiques (AIA), a professional-level, distance learning program on antiques and appraising, recently released the results of an in depth survey it conducted on market trends in the antique business, which it compiled from students and former graduates.

The primary focus of the survey was to gauge interest in current trends of antiques and collectibles, based on sales and requests for particular items. And while no measurable scientific practices were employed, and the survey was informal in nature, the results were still quite interesting, said the schools publications Director, Tony Drew. “What we found was that there was a real generational shift in the marketplace, things that tended to “trend” upwards in a truly noticeable fashion, were much more the domain of younger buyers. Whereas items that seemed to have little or no Internet “buzz,” remained fairly stable in their position of relative interest to potential customers, and were more often purchased buy older buyers.” In other words, said Drew, “Younger consumers seemed to be setting the trends as to what was hot and what was not – a somewhat unusual occurrence in the world of antiques.”

Don Kirpatrick, a 20-something dealer in the Northeast who participated in the school survey, said that while he still looks at everything when attending auctions for inventory, he now concentrates more heavily on items like Art Deco, and early primitives. “My clientele is primarily younger-hipster folks who want things from these periods, they’re not looking for mid-Victorian pieces that are heavily decorated…” Staffers from the school who conducted the survey said this was a common theme they found when asking about what was selling. “Younger dealers had very different items and inventory when compared to older dealers,” said Shirley Huey, one of the staffers who helped complete the survey, “Not only were they different in inventory, but in their marketing approaches as well.”

Charles Green, current Director of the Institute, also noted that while 20 years ago most antiques stores often had a “little bit of everything,” today’s dealers tend to concentrate on items based on generational interest. “I think what we’re finding, said Green, “is that bricks and mortar antique businesses are beginning to be more representative of what you see in online stores… a far greater degree of specialization is taking place, and the age of both the dealer and the customer seems to have something to do with that.”

Green went on to stress that while the survey was by no means scientific, it still pointed out interesting trends within the today’s antiques marketplace.

For readers seeking more information about the survey or the schools antiques and appraisal course, they can be contacted at: (877) 444-4508 or visit their web site at; http://www.asheford.com. You can also write to them at; the Asheford Institute of Antiques 981 Harbor Blvd., Suite 3, Dept. 275 Destin, FL 32541-2525, or at their Canadian office at; 131 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Dept. 124 Toronto, ON M5S 1R8.

About the Author

Dave Dawson is an international freelance writer on everything antique and collectible. You can find out more about him at: http://www.asheford.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dave/210652

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