Sotheby 's has reported a 22 % increase in sales in H1 to $ 3.5bn , largely due to increased sales in Asia and demand from Asian buyers elsewhere . Asian customers accounted for 28 % of Sotheby 's auction sales in H1 and bought eight of the top 20 lots sold at the auction house . Furthermore , 28 % of buyers were new to Sotheby 's auction in 2017 . Online sales grew 30 % year on year to $ 100 m in 2018 , with online bidders accounting for 45 % of total bids . Meanwhile , rival retailer 's reported H1 sales of $ 4bn in July , up 35 % year on year .
Sotheby's has reported a 22% increase in sales in H1 to $3.5bn, largely attributed to record sales in Asia and demand from Asian buyers elsewhere. Asian customers accounted for 28% of Sotheby's auction sales in H1 and bought eight of the top 20 lots sold at the auction house. Furthermore, 28% of buyers were new to Sotheby's Asia in H1. Online sales grew 30% year on year to $100m in H1, with online bidders accounting for 45% of total bids. Meanwhile, rival Christie's reported H1 sales of $4bn in July, up 35% year on year.