26 October 2018

2018- n° 285

In August 2018, the sales volume in overall trade bounced back (+1.7%) Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - August 2018

In August 2018, the sales volume in overall trade bounced back (+1.7%) after a decrease in July (−1.2%). It increased markedly in all sectors. It recovered strongly in wholesale trade (+1.8% after −1.4% in July) and in retail trade (+1.3% after −0.5%). It rose sharply in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+2.1% after −1.6%).

Over the last three months (June to August), the sales volume in overall trade rose by 0.8% compared to the previous three months. It went up in wholesale trade (+0.6%) and in retail trade (+0.8%) – it grew in specialised stores (+0.3%), in non-specialised stores (+1.4%) and in retail trade not in stores (+1.9%). It grew in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.3%)

The sales volume in overall trade grew by 2.5% over a year. It increased markedly in all sectors. It rose in retail trade (+3.7%) – it grew both in non-specialised stores (+5.0%), in specialised stores (+2.7%) and in retail trade not in stores (+4.0%). It also rose by 1.4% in wholesale trade and went up substantially in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+4.3%).

In August 2018, the sales volume in wholesale trade bounced back strongly (+1.8% after −1.4% in July). It recovered strongly for wholesalers on a fee or contract basis (+4.4% after −2.1%). It also rose in wholesale of household goods (+1.9% after −0.6%), in information and communication equipment (+4.8% after −1.2) and in food, beverages and tobacco (+1.4% after −0.2%). By contrast, it kept decreasing in agricultural raw materials and live animals (−4.6% after −0.5%).

In August 2018, the sales volume in retail trade rose sharply (+1.3% after −0.5%), especially for the specialised stores (+1.5% after −0.8%). In particular, the sales volume bounced back strongly in specialised stores of other goods (clothing, shoes etc.; +2.4% after −0.7%), in information and communication equipment (+3.5% after −0.9%) and in automotive fuel (+0.8% after −2.9%).The sales volume also bounced back in non-specialised stores (+1.1% after −0.4%) and kept increasing in retail trade not in stores (+1.1% after +0.4%).

According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles should slightly increase in September 2018 (+0.1%). It should grow by +3.0% year on year.

In August 2018, the sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose strongly (+2.1% after −1.6%), especially in sale of motor vehicles (+2.1% after −1.3%) and more sharply in maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (+8.0% after −6.0%). It also rose in sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+0.5% after −1.1%).

The variation in the sales volume of overall trade in July 2018 has been revised downwards at −1.2% instead of −1.0% initially published.