Advertisement feature from Dealer Auction

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We know the industry is facing a raft of challenges, and they’re evolving everyday. So, we sat down with Dealer Auction’s Sales Director, Jason Symes, to get the scoop on the strategies helping retailers stay ahead - covering everything from maximising trade profit and managing overage stock to diversifying sourcing opportunities. Here’s how dealers are making digital work for them.

How can the right strategy deliver better profit on trade vehicles?

That’s why some of our customers are taking a ‘digital-first’ approach—listing their vehicles on Dealer Auction as soon as they take in the part exchange on handover day, rather than waiting until a traditional remarketing route is decided. Those who do are achieving, on average, up to 6% more on CAP Clean performance while making use of the downtime before collection, which can be up to 72 hours. By exposing vehicles to a wider pool of trade buyers, bidding 24/7 with a more competitive buyer fee earlier in the process, they’re not only securing stronger returns but also accelerating speed to sell and improving cash flow.

Overage stock is a headache for every retailer. How can retailers help to maximise space while freeing up capital?

Vehicles that stick around too long not only tie up cash but also reduce your ability to showcase fresh, in-demand models. Successful retailers are using Dealer Auction to adopt a new approach to moving these vehicles - without taking them out of retail entirely.

We’ve introduced solution that enables retailers to cash in on overage stock without disrupting their retail strategy. This seamless solution allows retailers to list vehicles that have been in stock for 60, 90, or even 100+ days on Dealer Auction while they remain live on Auto Trader, meaning they receive genuine trade offers alongside retail interest. This allows them to stay in control - maximising every opportunity to sell while ensuring a quick and profitable exit when needed.

Our retailers are seeing vehicles 100+ day stock sell within 24 hours to trade at 100% of the asking price. And buyers are gaining access to quality, retail-ready stock that can be advertised for sale to consumers as soon as they’ve acquired it.

How are the best retailers staying ahead in the race for stock?

With competition for used vehicle stock at an all-time high, the most successful retailers aren’t just waiting for part-exchanges to roll in - they’re casting the net wider. The retailers getting ahead are those building a more diverse sourcing strategy, expanding their reach beyond the usual channels to include fleets, manufacturers, rental companies, and even retail-ready stock from other retailers. And they’re doing it efficiently - sourcing from multiple channels on one platform.

Consumer stock plays a crucial role in this strategy. Our Consumer Direct source gives retailers access to vehicles being sold directly by private owners who have actively chosen to list on Auto Trader rather than use a car-buying service. That means these vehicles were previously out of reach, but now retailers can bid on them just like any other trade stock.

For more information email Jason.symes@dealerauction.co.uk