28 August 2020

2020- n° 223

In June 2020, sales volume in overall trade kept rebounding Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - June 2020

In June 2020, the sales volume in overall trade kept rebounding (+15.2% after +35.0% in May) and got back to its pre-containment level (+1.9% compared to February).

In June, the sales volume in wholesale trade kept rising (+13.1% after +20.2% in May), recovering thus its level before the containment (+0.1% compared to February). It increased again in household goods (+16.8% after +35.1%), for wholesaler on a fee or contract basis (+16.3% after +11.3%) and in food, beverages and tobacco (+14.8% after +6.3%). In agricultural, raw materials and live animals, the sales volume recovered after a slight decrease in May (+4.7% after −1.4%). In other specialised wholesale, it kept growing (+9.7% after +27.2%), but it still remained below its level of February (−5.8%).

In trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the evolution was particularly strong (+45.4%). It increased in all subsections, especially in motor vehicles (+55.1% after +291.8%). In June, the sales volume exceeded its level before the containment (+7.6% compared to February).

In retail trade, the sales volume grew at a lower pace than May (+8.3% after +38.5%), but yet exceeded slightly its level before the containment (+2.7% compared to February). In specialised stores, the sales volume kept rising, but more moderately than May (+15.7% after +76.1%). Within this sector, the sales volume of other goods slowed down (+11.9% after +61.8%). Sale of food, beverages and tobacco increased slightly (+2.2% after +11.0%) whereas the subsection of automotive fuel, despite a huge increase (+28.3% after +72.8%) was the only one to be lower than its level before the containment (−15.7% compared to February). In retail trade not in stores, the sales volume grew more moderately (+3.3% after +23.2%) whereas in non-specialised stores, it was virtually stable (−0.1% after +11.0%).

According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles should increase in July 2020 (+1.4%). From May to July, it should increase by 1.9% compared to the same period one year earlier.

Over the second quarter, the sales volume in overall trade declined (−9.5%) compared to the first quarter. It decreased in all sectors: in wholesale trade (−9.0%), in retail trade and in repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−19.6%) and retail trade (−6.5%). Within retail trade, the sales volume fell in specialised stores (−10.9%) and in non-specialised stores (−4.3%), whereas it increased sharply in retail trade not in stores (+8.7%).

The sales volume in overall trade declined strongly by 14.7% over a year. It decreased in all sectors: in wholesale trade (−12.5%), in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−32.6%) and in retail trade (−10.4%). Within retail trade, it fell in specialised stores (−18.5%) and in non-specialised stores (−2.5%), whereas it grew in retail trade not in stores (+6.4%).

The variation in the sales volume of overall trade in May 2020 has been revised downwards, at +35.0% instead of +35.2% initially published.