Across the wider retail landscape, online sales were up 61% in the first week of November compared with the same period last year, according to internet industry body IMRG.
In the world of art and antiques, portals including 1stDibs, 2Covet and IACF’s loveantiques.com have attracted new dealers to sign up.
Former 1stDibs director Carmine Bruno is working on creating The Bruno Effect, a digital marketplace that will provide a platform for dealers to sell furniture and collectables online.
Despite not launching until spring 2021, Bruno said it has already signed up dealers such as Koopman Rare Art, Ronald Phillips, Thomas Coulborn & Sons and many more across the UK, Europe and the US.
Fairs and markets organiser IACF’s managing director Will Thomas said its online dealer platform loveantiques.com has attracted significantly more dealers through lockdown.
2Covet, launched last year by dealers Charles Wallrock of Wick Antiques and Japanese art dealer Steve Sly, reported it is has recorded a 283% increase in trade between March and June earlier this year.
Sly said: “As well as antiques we are seeing more jewellery dealers coming on board and others with specialist products.
“A further unexpected trend is to have international dealers contact us, keen to tap into the market we have created here in the UK.”
