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Households consumption of goods increased in March (+1.3%), but decreased over the first quarter (-0.4%)

In March, households expenditure on goods increased by 1.3% in volume*, after a 0.2% decrease in February. Over the first quarter, they decreased by 0.4% (after –0.1% in Q4 2012). The increase in March iwas mainly attributable to a bounce in food products and to the dynamism of the consumption of energy products.

Engineered goods : decreasing

Durables: slightly decreasing

After a slight bounce in February (+1.0%), households expenditure on durable goods were almost stable in March (–0.1%). Over the first quarter, they decreased by 3.9% (after +0.9% in Q4 2012). Expenditure on cars decreased in March (–0.9%, after +2.7% in February), and, given the fall in January (–11,0%), sharply decreased over the quarter (–6.8% after –0.1%). Moreover, despite a recovery in March (+1.2%, after –1.0% in February), purchases in household durables weakened over the quarter (–0.7%, after +2.4% in Q4 2012).

Textile-leather: decreasing again

After a sharp decresase in February (-4.8%), households consumption of textile and leather declined again in March (–2.9%). The low temperatures could have been unfavorable to purchases in spring and summer clothes. Consumption of textile-leather decreased by 1.7% over the first quarter (after –0.7%).

[* Volumes are chained and all figures are trading days and seasonally adjusted.]

Total consumption of goods

Total consumption of goods

Food and engineered goods

Food and engineered goods

Decomposition of engineered goods

Decomposition of engineered goods

Other engineered goods: slightly increasing

Consumption expenditure on other engineered goods slightly increased in March (+0.3%, after –0.3% in February). In particular, purchases on hardware slightly improved. It was stable over the quarter (after –0.7%).

Food products: rebound in March

After a decrease in February (–0.3%), consumption of food products was dynamic in March (+2.6%). It increased over the first quarter too (+0.9%, after –0.9% over Q4 2012).

Energy: increasing

After two consecutive months of increase in January (+1.4%) and February (+1.2%), households consumption of energy products accelerated in March (+2.6%), due to below average temperatures. Consumption of energy accelerated this winter (+1.7%), after a stability in autumn.

The evolution of household consumption of goods in February is not revised

The increase in consumption of goods in February is still estimated at –0.2%, as it was for the previous publication. Some minor revisions offset each other.

Energy

Energy
Households consumption expenditures on goods
In chained billion euros
Jan. Feb. March March 13/ Q1 13/
2013 2013 2013 March 12 Q4 12
Food products 14.674 14.629 15.011
Change (%) 0.3 –0.3 2.6 1.8 0.9
Engineered goods 20.485 20.361 20.250
change (%) –2.9 –0.6 –0.5 –3.2 –2.3
Of which:
Automobiles 4.341 4.458 4.417
Change (%) –11.0 2.7 –0.9 –7.9 –6.8
Household durables 5.301 5.246 5.310
Change (%) –2.9 –1.0 1.2 4.4 –0.7
Textile-leather 3.947 3.757 3.648
Change (%) 2.8 –4.8 –2.9 –9.9 –1.7
Other engineered goods 6.005 5.987 6.002
Change (%) 0.0 –0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0
Energy 6.426 6.501 6.685
Change (%) 1.4 1.2 2.8 11.2 1.7
Including petroleum products 3.867 3.894 4.029
Change (%) 1.1 0.7 3.4 8.6 0.8
Total 41.568 41.503 42.027
Change (%) –0.9 –0.2 1.3 1.2 –0.4
Manufactured goods 35.851 35.670 36.096
Change (%) –1.5 –0.5 1.2 –0.6 –1.0

Informations Rapides

n° 104 - April 30, 2013

Household consumption expenditure on goods - March 2013

Next issue June 28, 2013 08:45 - May 2013

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