ABC Business Sales Quarterly Market Intelligence report for December 2024

The numbers are in, and the New Zealand business sales market is hotter than ever. Buyer demand has reached record levels, creating a market that overwhelmingly favours sellers.

Key Market Insights
Business sales up 6% nationwide, driven by:

New migrants (mainly Indian, Filipino, and Chinese buyers) opting for business ownership over employment.
Former corporate employees entering business ownership post-redundancy.
Average sale price down 8% to $782,000, reflecting a surge in sub-$1M sales—not a decline in business value. Valuation multiples have actually increased by 7%, confirming strong demand.

Buyer interest is at an all-time high. 23,750 potential buyers signed confidentiality agreements in 2024, a 39% jump from 2023.

Market firmly in sellers’ favour—there are now 32 buyers for every business listed, up from 22 last year.

What to Expect in 2025
Business valuation multiples will likely continue rising as demand stays strong.
Falling interest rates will boost buyer confidence, making business ownership even more attractive.
With supply tightening, this remains one of the strongest seller’s markets in years.
If you're thinking about selling, now is the time. Read the full report for a detailed breakdown.