27 April 2018

2018- n° 117

In February 2018, the sales volume in overall trade was virtually stable (+0.1%) Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - February 2018

In February 2018, the sales volume in overall trade was virtually stable (+0.1%) after a decrease in January (−0.9%). It recovered in retail trade (+0.9% after −0.7%) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+0.4% after −2.6%). By contrast, it fell again in wholesale trade (−0.4% after −0.5%).

Over the last three months (December 2017 to February 2018), the sales volume in overall trade was virtually stable compared to the previous three months. It rose in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.8%). It decreased in retail trade and fell in retail trade (−0.3%) – it decreased in retail trade not in stores (−2.1%), in specialised stores (−0.2%), it was almost unchanged in non-specialised stores (−0.1%).

Over the last three months, the sales volume in overall trade grew by 3.5% over a year. It increased markedly in all sectors. It rose by 3.1% in wholesale trade. It also rose sharply in retail trade (+3.0%) – it grew in specialised stores (+2.4%) and non-specialised stores (+2.3%) as well as in retail trade not in stores (+9.8%). It went up substantially in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+6.4%).

In February 2018, the sales volume in retail trade recovered (+0.9% after −0.7% in January), especially for the specialised stores (+1.1% after −0.5%). In particular, the sales volume rebounded in specialised stores of other goods (clothing, shoes etc.; +2.5% after −1.4%) and in retail sale of automotive fuel (+1.8% after −3.2%). It increased further in retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco (+1.0% after +1.8%). Conversely, it fell back in retail sale of other household equipment (−1.4% after +2.2%). In non-specialised store, the sales volume bounced back (+1.0% after −0.8%)

According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles should increase in March 2018 (+0.5%). It should grow by 2.5% year on year.

In February 2018, the sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose (+0.4%) after a decrease in January (−2.6%). It bounced back in sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+1.5% after −2.7%). It held steady in sale of motor vehicles (+0.1% after −3.0%). It rose again in sale, maintenance and repair of moto. and related parts and accessories (+1.3% after 0.9%) and it remained stable in maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

In February 2018, the sales volume in wholesale trade declined again (−0.4% after −0.5% in January). It fell back strongly in wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals (−4.1% after +0.5%) and more moderately for wholesalers on a fee or contract basis (−1.6% after +1.7%). It decreased again in non specialised wholesale trade (−2.5% after −0.7%) and in wholesale of household goods (−0.3% after −0.1%). By contrast, the sales volume recovered in other specialised wholesale (+0.5% after −3.9%).

The variation in the sales volume of overall trade in January 2018 has been lowered at −0.9% instead of −0.8% initially published, exclusively due to the revision of raw data.