21 December 2018

2018- n° 346

In October 2018, the sales volume in overall trade recovered (+2.3%) Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - October 2018

In October 2018, the sales volume in overall trade recovered (+2.3%) after a sharp decrease in September (−2.1%). It increased in all sectors. It bounced back markedly in wholesale trade (+3.2% after −2.5%) and more moderately in retail trade (+1.1% after −1.2%) and in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.0% after −2.4%).

Over the last three months (August to October), the sales volume in overall trade increased slightly by 0.3% compared to the previous three months. It rose in retail trade (+0.7%) – it grew in specialised stores (+0.8%), in non-specialised stores (+0.5%), and in retail trade not in stores (+1.6%). By contrast, it was virtually stable in wholesale trade (+0.1%) and in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+0.1%).

The sales volume in overall trade grew by 2.3% over a year. It increased markedly in all sectors. It rose in retail trade (+3.3%) – it grew in non-specialised stores (+4.3%), in specialised stores (+2.6%) and in retail trade not in stores (+3.5%). It also went up in wholesale trade (+1.7%) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+2.6%).

In October 2018, the sales volume in wholesale recovered (+3.2% after −2.5% in September). It increased in all sectors. The sales volume rose in food, beverages and tobacco (+4.3% after −3.9%), for wholesalers on a fee or contract basis (+3.9% after −6.0%), in other specialised wholesale (+2.7% after −0.4%), in agricultural raw materials and live animals (+8.7% after −5.6%) and in household goods (+2.5% after −1.9%). It kept increasing in wholesale of other machinery, equipment and supplies (+1.1% after +0.9%).

In October 2018, the sales volume in retail trade rose (+1.1%) after a decrease in September (−1.2%). The sales bounced back in non-specialised stores (+1.7% after −1.6%) and in specialised stores (+1.1% after −1.2%). In particular, the sales volume recovered in specialised stores of other goods (clothing, shoes etc.; +1.6% after −1.7%), in food, beverages and tobacco (+1.4% after −0.8%), in other household equipment (+0.6% after −1.1%) and in cultural and recreation goods (+1.5% after −1.4%). By contrast, the sales volume dwindled in retail trade not in stores (−1.3% after +0.3%).

According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles should be stable in November 2018. It should grow by 2.1% year on year.

In October 2018, the sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles bounced back (+1.0% after −2.4% in September), especially in sale of motor vehicles (+0.8% after −3.3%). It kept increasing in sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+1.9% after +0.3%). By contrast, it fell back in maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (−1.8% after +2.4%).

The variation in the sales volume of overall trade in September 2018 is unchanged at −2.1% (rounded number) compared to the previous release.