As winter slowly transitions into spring it's now the perfect time to reflect on our journey over the winter months. At any time of year, the moving and packing industry can experience a rollercoaster of demand based on a variety of factors, from seasonal holidays to housing market fluctuations. Our winter season was no exception, with significant highs and dips in demand throughout November, December, January, and February. We also faced a number of challenges, some new and some we’re experienced in, throughout this period.
November: A Strong and Steady Start
Winter kicked off on a high note with November bringing in an impressive surge in demand for our services. Packing services and removal requests were at their highest, particularly in South East London where we recorded one of the highest percentages of jobs completed in the region. The steady rise in activity can be attributed to several factors that affected people’s removal planning:
- Pre-holiday relocations: As previous years, many clients preferred to move house before the festive season begins, ensuring that they were settled into their new homes ahead of the Christmas celebrations.
- End-of-year planning: Businesses usually aim to complete their office relocations before the new year and often ramp up their activities in November.
- Market stability: The housing market was relatively active and lead to an increase in demand for removals and packing services.
November saw a consistent flow of new bookings, with our team working tirelessly to meet customer demands. The increased volume in removals was a promising indicator that the market remained healthy despite the broader economic landscape.
- Going away for winter: Clients who were planning extended travels for the winter months needed a secure place to store their belongings.
- The effects of housing market delays: Due to the unpredictable economic situation, some homebuyers and sellers faced setbacks, leading to the need for temporary storage solutions as they waited for transactions to finalise.
As Christmas approached activity slowed further still. The final weeks of December were noticeably less busy, a trend that we’re used to from previous years. Many movers were pausing their plans and preferred to wait until the new year to kickstart their relocation.
January: A Noticeable Drop Compared to Previous Years
January 2025 was one of our quietest starts to the year on record, as we experienced a significant drop in bookings. January is usually a mixed month for us, whilst some customers are eager to start fresh in their new home, others are more hesitant due to financial pressures after the holiday season. This year, however, we saw a greater slowdown than usual. This downturn was caused by a number of reasons.
- Market uncertainty: Many potential movers had delayed important decisions due to economic factors and cost-of-living concerns.
- Winter weather impact: The particularly harsh weather conditions deterred some people from moving during the peak of winter, preferring to wait until spring.
- Post-holiday financial strain: After the expense of Christmas fewer people were willing to commit to large moves or removals and postponed their plans until they were in a better financial situation
Despite this slowdown our team remained prepared and focused on customer service, operational efficiency, and planning for the coming months.
February: A Resurgence Driven by the Stamp Duty Deadline
After a quiet January, February brought a much needed boost for us. The primary factor was The Stamp Duty deadline which spurred movement in the housing market as buyers and sellers rushed to complete transactions before additional costs came into play.
This urgency led to a higher demand for many of our services:
- Removals services: Homeowners wanted to complete their moves before incurring extra fees, so were keen to get their job booked in as soon as possible.
- Packing solutions: Clients were demanding efficient packing services to streamline their last-minute moves.
- Short-term storage: A significant number of customers needed storage solutions whilst waiting for their properties to become available.
The impact of the Stamp Duty deadline was unmistakable, as many jobs came in last-minute, with tight deadlines and a high demand for flexible scheduling. Our team worked diligently to accommodate all requests, ensuring a smooth experience for our clients.
Key Takeaways from This Winter Season
November was a standout month for relocations and packing, particularly in South East London.
December saw a shift towards storage services, with people either going away or awaiting housing market developments.
January was notably quieter compared to previous years, likely due to market uncertainty and post-holiday financial constraints.
February experienced a significant rebound, driven by the approaching Stamp Duty deadline, which pushed more people to move quickly.
Looking Ahead
With winter behind us we anticipate an increase in activity as we move into the spring and summer months. The housing market is expected to remain lively and with warmer weather ahead, we expect more people will start making plans. For those planning moves in the summer we recommend booking services in advance to secure your preferred dates, especially as demand is expected to rise. As always our team remains dedicated to providing top-quality moving, packing, and storage solutions tailored to our your needs. Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or simply looking for temporary storage options, we’re here to help make the process as easy as possible.
Stay in touch for more updates from us as we continue to navigate the ever changing landscape of the removals and storage industry.