25 June 2019

2019- n° 164

In June 2019, the business climate is stable in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - June 2019

According to the managers in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles, the business climate is stable in June 2019. The composite indicator that measures stands at 104, above its long-term average (100).

In June 2019, business managers are more optimistic than in May concerning the general business outlook of the sector: the corresponding balance has increased and has reached its highest level since August 2018, well above its long-term average. However, that on ordering intentions has gone down again and stands just above its own. The opinion of business managers on their sales has hardly changed. The balance of opinion on expected sales is virtually stable, above its mean; that on past sales is stable below its own. After a decrease at the beginning of the year and then a rebound in May, the balance of opinion concerning stocks is stable in June, just above its mean. The balance on expected prices has decreased again and has moved just below its mean, at its lowest level since July 2018.

More managers than in May have reported to expect a decrease in their staff size during the next three months. The corresponding balance of opinion has retreated and has moved just below its mean. Concerning past employment, slightly fewer business managers than in May have indicated having shrunk their staff size during the last three months, due to the retail trade. The corresponding balance has slightly increased but remains below its mean.

In retail trade, the business climate has slightly deteriorated: the composite indicator has lost one point in June, to 97, below its long-term mean (100).

The balance on ordering intentions has decreased again and has moved away from its mean, mainly due to specialised trade. As many retailers as in May have indicated a decrease in their past and expected sales. The corresponding balances are stable, just below its mean for the expected sales, more clearly for the past sales. The opinion on the level of stocks is unchanged: the corresponding balance, stable, stands at its mean.

Retailers as a whole are much more optimistic than in May concerning the general business outlook of the sector: the corresponding balance has sharply increased and stands above its long-term mean. Finally, fewer retailers than in the previous month have planned to rise their prices: the corresponding balance has retreated and has moved just below its mean.

In trade and repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles, the business climate indicator has lost one point in June. At 109, it remains largely above its long-term average (100).

The balance on general business outlook has edged down but remains above its mean. However, business managers are a little more optimistic than last month concerning their own activity. Indeed, the balances concerning expected sales and ordering intentions have increased again. Both of them remain above their long-term mean, at its highest level since December 2018 for the ordering intentions. Concerning the past few months, the balance of opinion on recent sales is practically stable, a little above its mean.

Stocks are deemed a little less high than in May: the corresponding balance has slightly decreased and stands just above it mean. The balance of opinion on expected prices has decreased again while remaining above its mean.