Informations Rapides · 29 January 2021 · n° 029

In November 2020, sales volume in trade fell sharply due to the second lockdown Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - November 2020

In November 2020, the volume of sales in trade fell sharply (−8.0% after +0.7%), due to the second lockdown. In comparison, this decline is less marked than in March and April, at the time of the first lockdown (−18.3% and −19.7%, respectively). However, the volume of sales in trade fell back below its pre-pandemic level for the first time since May (−6.0% when compared with February).

In November, the volume of sales in retail trade fell drastically (−15.5% after +2.4% in October). It decreased more in specialised stores (−21.7% after +1.1%) than in non-specialised stores (−11.7% after +3.9%). The sales volume in retail trade not in stores kept rising in November (+3.6% after +4.0%), mostly due to the growth of e-commerce. Within specialised stores, largely affected by retail closures targeting "non-essential products" during the second lockdown, it decreased in all subsections. The fall was particularly sharp in cultural and recreation goods (−38.3% after −0.9%), automotive fuel (−27.3% after −0.9%), and other goods in specialised stores (clothing, shoes etc.: −22.8% after +0.7%).

In November, the volume of sales in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles decreased sharply (−15.9% after −1.3% in October), especially in motor vehicles (−16.9% after −0.5%). Like retail sale in specialised stores, the fall is less pronounced than in March and April, at the time of the first lockdown (−51.6% and −63.5%, respectively), possibly due to new sales methods and the continuation of wholesale.

The volume of sales in wholesale trade decreased in November (−1.8% after +0.2%). It fell sharply in the wholesale of information and communication equipment (−8.0% after +4.4%) and food, beverages and tobacco (−4.9% after −1.9%). On the contrary, the sales volume kept rising in the wholesale of other machinery, equipment and supplies (+4.6% after +5.0%).

According to early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles should increase in December 2020 (+22.3%), due to the end of the second lockdown. From October to December, it should increase by 0.7% when compared with the same period one year earlier.

The volume of sales of the past three months (September to November) in overall trade decreased by 1.4% when compared with the same period one year earlier. It fell in all sectors: in wholesale trade (−1.3%), in retail trade (−1.3%) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−1.9%). Within retail trade, it decreased in specialised stores (−4.9%), was stable in non-specialised stores, while it rose in retail trade not in stores (+15.5%).

The percentage change in the sales volume of overall trade in October 2020 is unchanged at +0.7% (rounded number) when compared with the previous release.