30 March 2018

2018- n° 89

In January 2018, the sales volume in overall trade fell back (−0.8%) Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - January 2018

In January 2018, the sales volume in overall trade fell back (−0.8%) after a virtual stability in December 2017. It shrank sharply in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−2.6% after +3.1%) and more moderately in wholesale trade (−0.5% after −0.1%). It kept decreasing in retail trade (−0.7% after −1.6%).

Over the last three months (November to January), the sales volume in overall trade increased by 0.7% compared to the previous three months. It rose by 1.1% in retail trade – it increased in specialised stores (+1.3%), in non-specialised stores (+1.1%) and more moderately in retail trade not in stores (+0.6%). The sales volume rose by 1.8% in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and by 0.2% in wholesale trade.

Over the last three months, the sales volume in overall trade grew by 3.9% over a year. It increased markedly in all sectors. It rose by 3.3% in wholesale trade. It also rose sharply in retail trade (+4.0%) – it grew in specialised stores (+3.6%) and non-specialised stores (+2.7%) as well as in retail trade not in stores (+11.9%). It went up substantially in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+6.3%).

In January 2018, the sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles shrank sharply (−2.6%) after a significant rise in December 2017 (+3.1%). It fell back strongly in sale of motor vehicle (−2.7% after +3.7%) and in sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (−3.4% after +2.2%). By contrast, it bounced back in sale and repair of motorcycles (+1.0% after −1.0%) and it flattened out in maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

In January 2018, the sales volume in whosesale trade decreased slightly (−0.5% after −0.1% in December 2017). It fell back sharply in other specialised wholesale (−4.0% after +1.3%), in wholesale of other machinery, equipment and supplies (−2.1% after +1.7%) and more moderately in wholesale of information and communication equipment (−0.8% after +1.3%). By contrast, it bounced back in wholesale on a fee or contract basis (+2.8% after −2.2%) and in wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco (+1.3% after −0.9%).

In January 2018, the sales volume in retail trade kept decreasing (−0.7% after −1.6% in December), especially for non-specialised stores (−0.9% after −1.0%) and for retail trade not in stores (−3.0% after −2.7%).

In specialised stores, the sales volume fell slightly (−0.2% after −1.8%). It fell back in retail of automotive fuel (−3.0% after +1.0%) and in retail of other goods (−0.5% after −1.9%). By contrast, it bounced back in retail of other household equipment (+1.6% after −3.3%) and in retail of information and communication equipment (+3.9% after −1.8%).

According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except for motor vehicles and motorcycles should increase in February 2018 (+0.7%). It should grow by 2.9% year-on-year.

Sales volume indices are rebased every 5 years. From now on, they have reference year 2015, which means that they have for average 100 in 2015. The 2015 rebasing implements an innovation, with the introduction of a two-weighting system (instead of a constant-weight system) in order to better take into account the structural evolutions. This change responds to a recommandation of Eurostat in order to increase the robustness of indices over a long period. The methodological information concerning these base year and reference changes are available on the INSEE Website.