The UK removals industry generated over £1.2 billion in revenue last year. Demand is driven by a younger demographic, with three-quarters of customers aged 25 to 44. This article examines the market forces, operational challenges, and regional trends shaping the sector.
Key Takeaways
- 75% of customers booking removals were aged 25-44 in 2023 surveys.
- The UK removals workforce totaled 28,500 employees in 2023, up 2.3% from 2022 with 650 new jobs.
- The UK removals industry generated a total revenue of £1.2 billion in 2023, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by rising house prices and relocations.
- Fleet utilization averaged 82% across 15,000 vans/lorries in 2023.
- London firms handled 28% of national moves in 2023.
UK removals businesses are busier than ever, with steady demand and strong growth across the industry.
Related reading
01 · Category
Customer Demographics And Behavior19 stats
01
75% of customers booking removals were aged 25-44 in 2023 surveys.
02
62% of moves were for home purchases, 28% rentals, 10% other in 2023.
03
Average distance moved was 45 miles in 2023, up from 38 miles in 2022.
04
41% of customers used online quotes, 35% phone, 24% in-person in 2023.
05
Repeat customers accounted for 22% of bookings, loyalty rate up 3%.
06
55% of moves involved families with children under 18 in 2023.
07
Peak booking month was August with 18% of annual moves in 2023.
08
68% prioritized cost, 22% reliability, 10% eco-friendliness in choices.
09
Average household size moving was 2.8 people in 2023 data.
10
29% of customers were first-time movers aged 18-24 in 2023.
11
Satisfaction rate averaged 87% for BAR members vs 76% independents.
12
47% booked 4-8 weeks in advance, 30% last-minute under 2 weeks.
13
Urban to rural moves rose to 35% of total in 2023 post-pandemic.
14
52% female-led bookings, up from 48% in 2021.
15
Insurance uptake was 78% of customers, averaging £500 coverage.
16
Referral bookings from friends/family at 31% in 2023.
17
Average spend per move was £1,250 for 3-bedroom homes in 2023.
18
19% cancelled bookings due to price hikes in 2023.
19
73% used packing services add-on, costing extra £250 avg.
Interpretation
Customer Demographics And Behavior Interpretation
Customer behavior in the UK removals industry is clearly skewed toward younger, family-focused demand, with 75% of bookings coming from ages 25 to 44 and 55% of moves involving families with children under 18, while 41% choose online quotes, showing both who is booking and how they prefer to arrange removals.
02 · Category
Employment And Workforce17 stats
01
The UK removals workforce totaled 28,500 employees in 2023, up 2.3% from 2022 with 650 new jobs.
02
Average salary for removals operatives was £28,400 annually in 2023, 4% above national minimum.
03
65% of removals firms employed 5-20 staff in 2023, totaling 12,000 workers in SMEs.
04
Driver shortages affected 42% of companies, leading to 1,200 unfilled positions in 2023.
05
Female workforce in removals rose to 18% or 5,130 employees in 2023 from 15% in 2021.
06
Training investments reached £4.5 million industry-wide in 2023, certifying 3,200 workers.
07
Part-time and gig workers made up 22% of workforce, equating to 6,270 flexible roles.
08
Zero-hour contracts used by 15% of firms, covering 2,100 operatives in 2023.
09
Apprenticeships in removals hit 850 starts in 2023, 3% of total new hires.
10
Overtime hours averaged 12 per week for 55% of full-time staff, adding £15 million in wages.
11
HGV license holders numbered 9,200 in the sector, 32% of workforce in 2023.
12
Turnover rate was 14% industry-wide, with 4,000 leavers replaced in 2023.
13
Self-employed contractors comprised 35% or 9,975 of total workforce in 2023.
14
Diversity training reached 7,500 employees, 26% of workforce in 2023.
15
Average age of removals workers was 42 years in 2023, with 28% under 35.
16
Health and safety certifications held by 92% of 28,500 workers in 2023.
17
Remote admin roles grew to 1,800 jobs, 6% of workforce in 2023.
Interpretation
Employment And Workforce Interpretation
In 2023 the UK removals industry grew its workforce to 28,500 employees, while increasing the share of female workers to 18% and investing £4.5 million in training, yet driver shortages still left 1,200 roles unfilled in 42% of firms, showing both progress and ongoing workforce pressure under Employment and Workforce.
03 · Category
Market Size And Growth20 stats
01
The UK removals industry generated a total revenue of £1.2 billion in 2023, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by rising house prices and relocations.
02
The market size of the UK domestic removals sector reached £850 million in 2022, accounting for 70% of the total industry turnover.
03
International removals contributed £350 million to the UK industry revenue in 2023, up 6% year-on-year due to post-Brexit adjustments.
04
The overall UK removals market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching £1.45 billion by 2028.
05
Student and temporary moves accounted for 15% of the £1.2 billion market in 2023, valued at £180 million.
06
Commercial removals segment grew by 5.2% to £250 million in 2023 amid office relocations post-pandemic.
07
The self-storage linked removals market was worth £120 million in 2022, integrated within broader removals services.
08
UK removals industry saw a 2.1% contraction in Q1 2020 due to COVID-19, losing £25 million in revenue.
09
Recovery post-2021 led to £1.1 billion total revenue, with 8% growth from pandemic lows.
10
Piano and specialist item removals niche valued at £45 million in 2023, 3.75% of total market.
11
Pet relocation services within removals hit £30 million in 2023, boosted by family moves.
12
Eco-friendly removals segment grew to £60 million in 2023, 5% of market with green fleet adoption.
13
The UK removals market share held by top 10 firms was 35% in 2023, totaling £420 million.
14
Average annual growth rate 2018-2023 was 2.9% for the sector, reaching £1.2 billion peak.
15
Forecasted inflation-adjusted growth for 2024 at 3.2%, adding £38 million to revenues.
16
Residential removals dominated with £950 million in 2023, 79% market share.
17
Decline in long-distance moves reduced market by 1.5% or £18 million in 2022.
18
Surge in 2023 first-time buyer moves added £75 million to industry totals.
19
Total industry output per ONS data was £1.15 billion in 2022, up from £1.08 billion in 2021.
20
European removals post-Brexit dropped 12% to £120 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size And Growth Interpretation
The UK removals industry reached £1.2 billion in 2023, up 4.5% year on year, and is set to expand from 2024 to 2028 at a 3.8% CAGR to £1.45 billion, showing steady market growth alongside a mix shift toward domestic and commercial demand.
More related reading
04 · Category
Operational And Technological Trends20 stats
01
Fleet utilization averaged 82% across 15,000 vans/lorries in 2023.
02
GPS tracking adopted by 67% of firms, reducing delays by 15%.
03
Average fuel costs per move rose 22% to £85 in 2023.
04
Electric vehicle adoption reached 12% of fleet, 1,800 units.
05
Online booking platforms used by 58% of customers, speeding quotes by 40%.
06
Damage claims averaged 0.8% of moves, costing £2.5 million total.
07
Average move time for 2-bed flat: 4.2 hours with 2 staff.
08
Warehouse storage utilization at 75%, holding 500,000 sqm space.
09
AI route optimization cut fuel use by 11% in 45% of firms.
10
Insurance premiums averaged £12,000 per firm, up 8%.
11
Crane hire for upper floors used in 14% of moves, costing £450 avg.
12
Recycling rates for packing materials hit 65% industry avg.
13
Night moves comprised 8% of jobs, premium 25% higher.
14
Forklift certifications held by 65% of warehouse staff.
15
Customer portals for tracking used by 52% large firms.
16
Breakdown incidents down 7% to 2,100 calls via AA/RAC.
17
Packing material costs per move: £120, up 10%.
18
Multi-drop efficiency improved 18% with software in 2023.
19
Compliance with GDPR at 94% for customer data handling.
20
Average vehicle age 5.2 years, with 22% under 3 years.
Interpretation
Operational And Technological Trends Interpretation
Operational and technological advances are clearly paying off in UK removals as GPS is now used by 67% of firms, cutting delays by 15%, while fleet utilization sits at 82% and online booking adoption reaches 58% with quote times improved by 40%.
05 · Category
Regional And Competitive Landscape20 stats
01
London firms handled 28% of national moves in 2023.
02
South East England accounted for 22% of industry revenue, £264 million.
03
Scotland saw 9% growth in removals, 7% market share.
04
Top 50 firms controlled 40% market in England, 25% Scotland.
05
Wales removals market £45 million, 3.8% national share.
06
Northern Ireland firms numbered 450, employing 2,200.
07
Manchester area 12% of North West moves, £110 million.
08
Rural areas saw 15% higher demand per capita than urban.
09
BAR members density highest in London at 35 per 100k pop.
10
Birmingham removals grew 5.5% to £65 million revenue.
11
Edinburgh dominated Scottish market with 28% share.
12
Competitive density: 1 firm per 12,000 pop in South East.
13
Liverpool port boosted international moves by 10%.
14
Yorkshire & Humber 8% national revenue, £96 million.
15
Independents held 65% market outside London.
16
Bristol South West hub grew 7% in moves.
17
East Anglia low competition, 1 firm per 18k pop.
18
Glasgow firms averaged £2.1m turnover each.
19
Midlands dominated by 5 major players at 32% share.
20
North East England slowest growth at 1.2%, £50m total.
Interpretation
Regional And Competitive Landscape Interpretation
The UK removals market is highly concentrated by region and driven by strong local competition, with London taking 28% of national moves in 2023 and top 50 firms controlling 40% of England while Scotland’s growth of 9% still sits alongside a 7% market share.
report visual · Comparison
UK removals: distance moved is rising
Average move distance increased from 2022 to 2023.
75% of customers booking removals were aged 25-44 in 2023 surveys.75%
62% of moves were for home purchases, 28% rentals, 10% other in 2023.
62%
Average distance moved was 45 miles in 2023, up from 38 miles in 2022.
45
Reference
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Uk Removals Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uk-removals-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Uk Removals Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uk-removals-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Uk Removals Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uk-removals-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
83 datasets cited across this report