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Informations Rapides · 21 March 2024 · n° 67
Informations rapidesIn March 2024, the business climate has slightly increased in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - March 2024

In March 2024, the business climate has slightly improved in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 101, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained one point and lies just above its long-term average (100). This slight rise is mainly the result of the increase of the balances of opinion related to the general business outlook and the ordering intentions.

Informations rapides
No 67
Paru le :Paru le21/03/2024
Prochaine parution le : 19/09/2025 at 08:45 - September 2025
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In March 2024, the business climate has slightly improved in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 101, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained one point and lies just above its long-term average (100). This slight rise is mainly the result of the increase of the balances of opinion related to the general business outlook and the ordering intentions.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2024-03 101.1
2024-02 99.5
2024-01 103.8
2023-12 99.6
2023-11 96.5
2023-10 98.0
2023-09 102.7
2023-08 105.0
2023-07 105.7
2023-06 101.7
2023-05 96.6
2023-04 100.0
2023-03 97.5
2023-02 100.1
2023-01 99.4
2022-12 98.7
2022-11 96.1
2022-10 97.5
2022-09 96.8
2022-08 99.1
2022-07 95.4
2022-06 94.5
2022-05 94.1
2022-04 91.1
2022-03 98.6
2022-02 105.7
2022-01 104.0
2021-12 106.8
2021-11 107.9
2021-10 106.6
2021-09 108.0
2021-08 110.1
2021-07 114.2
2021-06 116.4
2021-05 107.8
2021-04 91.7
2021-03 96.4
2021-02 89.2
2021-01 93.6
2020-12 93.5
2020-11 70.8
2020-10 98.0
2020-09 98.0
2020-08 96.8
2020-07 90.4
2020-06 86.6
2020-05 61.5
2020-04 58.1
2020-03 93.6
2020-02 107.3
2020-01 106.8
2019-12 108.7
2019-11 106.7
2019-10 106.6
2019-09 107.1
2019-08 103.4
2019-07 106.1
2019-06 104.8
2019-05 104.9
2019-04 107.8
2019-03 105.1
2019-02 103.5
2019-01 102.1
2018-12 100.2
2018-11 107.5
2018-10 107.6
2018-09 110.1
2018-08 116.1
2018-07 113.9
2018-06 113.7
2018-05 113.1
2018-04 113.6
2018-03 114.5
2018-02 117.0
2018-01 117.3
2017-12 116.8
2017-11 116.2
2017-10 116.7
2017-09 113.5
2017-08 111.2
2017-07 112.0
2017-06 111.2
2017-05 107.1
2017-04 105.7
2017-03 107.9
2017-02 107.6
2017-01 108.9
2016-12 108.2
2016-11 103.2
2016-10 102.0
2016-09 102.9
2016-08 104.6
2016-07 104.6
2016-06 104.0
2016-05 106.2
2016-04 103.0
2016-03 103.9
2016-02 102.6
2016-01 104.3
2015-12 101.6
2015-11 105.2
2015-10 108.3
2015-09 106.0
2015-08 106.7
2015-07 103.2
2015-06 104.3
2015-05 103.1
2015-04 103.1
2015-03 102.2
2015-02 102.0
2015-01 98.8
2014-12 94.4
2014-11 92.7
2014-10 89.2
2014-09 88.5
2014-08 90.6
2014-07 96.7
2014-06 94.6
2014-05 96.4
2014-04 96.5
2014-03 95.4
2014-02 94.6
2014-01 95.1
2013-12 94.0
2013-11 91.9
2013-10 95.4
2013-09 97.7
2013-08 93.4
2013-07 85.4
2013-06 85.0
2013-05 83.5
2013-04 84.4
2013-03 86.4
2013-02 89.6
2013-01 85.0
2012-12 87.9
2012-11 88.2
2012-10 87.4
2012-09 85.8
2012-08 90.9
2012-07 89.2
2012-06 93.0
2012-05 90.9
2012-04 96.0
2012-03 93.3
2012-02 90.6
2012-01 88.1
2011-12 92.9
2011-11 93.8
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 93.8
2011-08 98.2
2011-07 101.4
2011-06 102.1
2011-05 103.9
2011-04 103.1
2011-03 103.8
2011-02 106.5
2011-01 106.6
2010-12 107.8
2010-11 104.3
2010-10 107.5
2010-09 105.9
2010-08 106.2
2010-07 101.0
2010-06 101.0
2010-05 101.7
2010-04 103.1
2010-03 97.8
2010-02 98.7
2010-01 98.3
2009-12 96.6
2009-11 98.2
2009-10 92.7
2009-09 90.4
2009-08 87.4
2009-07 86.0
2009-06 79.6
2009-05 80.4
2009-04 75.6
2009-03 82.4
2009-02 78.5
2009-01 77.5
2008-12 76.3
2008-11 84.0
2008-10 80.6
2008-09 96.2
2008-08 93.0
2008-07 95.3
2008-06 99.4
2008-05 103.0
2008-04 103.4
2008-03 109.4
2008-02 108.6
2008-01 110.0
2007-12 114.4
2007-11 112.7
2007-10 111.4
2007-09 111.8
2007-08 115.1
2007-07 117.1
2007-06 120.5
2007-05 114.5
2007-04 113.2
2007-03 110.9
2007-02 112.2
2007-01 107.6
2006-12 108.3
2006-11 110.7
2006-10 111.6
2006-09 110.2
2006-08 109.6
2006-07 108.0
2006-06 107.5
2006-05 105.2
2006-04 103.5
2006-03 102.1
2006-02 102.5
2006-01 103.0
2005-12 103.9
2005-11 99.5
2005-10 101.5
2005-09 98.9
2005-08 97.6
2005-07 95.8
2005-06 97.8
2005-05 101.2
2005-04 103.5
2005-03 104.1
2005-02 103.6
2005-01 105.9

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE

The balances of opinion related to the activity have increased

In March 2024, the balances of opinion on the general business outlook and the ordering intentions have recovered. The former has moved away from its long-term average while the latter has moved just above its own. The balance on the past sales has partially rebounded but remains below its average. The one on the expected sales has increased again for its part and is back to its average level.

Furthermore, the balance of opinion associated with the past change in the workforce size is back on the rise, while the one related to its expected change has retreated slightly. Both of them remain below their average.

The balance of opinion associated with the current level of stocks has diminished again but remains above its average. Finally, more business managers consider that the evolution of their business situation is difficult to forecast compared to the previous month.

Tendency in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.
Tendency in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles (Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.)
Ave. (1) Dec. 23 Jan. 24 Feb. 24 Mar. 24
Business climate 100 100 104 100 101
General business outlook -27 -18 -17 -24 -20
Recent sales -7 -13 -1 -13 -10
Expected sales -4 -11 -11 -8 -4
Ordering intentions -8 -13 -6 -9 -7
Stocks 10 19 19 17 13
Past selling prices (2) -3 - 5 - 6
Expected selling prices 0 9 3 7 4
Cash position (2) -15 - -20 - -19
Past workforce size -1 -9 -6 -13 -9
Expected workforce size -4 -7 -8 -6 -8
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 38 41 38 36 39
  • (1) Average since 1991 (except 2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions, and April 2021 for uncertainty felt).
  • (2) Bimonthly question (odd-numbered months).
  • (3) Non-seasonally adjusted balance.
  • Source: INSEE - monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Recent sales and ordering intentions

Recent sales and ordering intentions
Ordering intentions Recent sales
2024-03 -7.4 -10.4
2024-02 -8.6 -13.1
2024-01 -6.3 -0.6
2023-12 -13.5 -12.6
2023-11 -15.2 -14.2
2023-10 -11.6 -5.2
2023-09 -7.8 1.7
2023-08 -8.0 6.2
2023-07 -8.5 -1.9
2023-06 -8.8 -9.1
2023-05 -16.0 -5.8
2023-04 -11.3 -1.6
2023-03 -14.9 -5.7
2023-02 -10.4 -1.2
2023-01 -11.8 6.0
2022-12 -10.4 -1.4
2022-11 -15.4 2.1
2022-10 -8.7 -2.8
2022-09 -13.9 -4.9
2022-08 -7.4 -12.3
2022-07 -10.7 -20.4
2022-06 -12.6 -16.1
2022-05 -14.4 -12.9
2022-04 -18.7 -18.6
2022-03 -5.0 -12.4
2022-02 -3.1 -7.0
2022-01 -3.3 -4.7
2021-12 -1.6 -6.2
2021-11 -0.5 -11.0
2021-10 -3.8 -17.6
2021-09 -2.0 -11.2
2021-08 3.9 11.0
2021-07 2.6 0.3
2021-06 1.0 -2.0
2021-05 -7.2 -10.9
2021-04 -16.0 -7.4
2021-03 -8.5 -16.4
2021-02 -15.5 -14.1
2021-01 -13.4 -5.4
2020-12 -11.4 -21.8
2020-11 -37.0 7.4
2020-10 0.4 -2.1
2020-09 -6.3 6.2
2020-08 -3.9 -9.9
2020-07 -9.6 -42.0
2020-06 -13.8 -48.2
2020-05 -47.3 -56.4
2020-04 -56.4 -4.3
2020-03 -12.5 -4.4
2020-02 -0.6 1.6
2020-01 -2.8 11.1
2019-12 1.3 -1.5
2019-11 -1.0 -5.8
2019-10 -2.5 -6.3
2019-09 -3.7 0.5
2019-08 -7.8 -5.0
2019-07 -5.0 -3.7
2019-06 -7.6 -9.0
2019-05 -6.3 -10.9
2019-04 0.3 -12.9
2019-03 -2.4 -17.9
2019-02 -6.2 -10.0
2019-01 -6.4 -9.1
2018-12 -5.6 -9.1
2018-11 -0.6 -6.8
2018-10 -2.2 -8.1
2018-09 0.6 2.0
2018-08 13.4 0.3
2018-07 3.7 -2.1
2018-06 5.2 -8.7
2018-05 2.6 -6.9
2018-04 2.1 -9.7
2018-03 2.3 -8.2
2018-02 4.2 5.1
2018-01 6.3 1.9
2017-12 5.9 1.5
2017-11 7.7 -5.1
2017-10 9.3 -0.4
2017-09 2.3 -1.6
2017-08 -0.8 -1.0
2017-07 -1.4 5.5
2017-06 -1.0 -5.9
2017-05 -3.2 -5.5
2017-04 -3.5 -11.9
2017-03 0.2 -1.8
2017-02 -0.4 4.2
2017-01 1.5 1.0
2016-12 -0.1 -1.2
2016-11 -9.2 -6.3
2016-10 -8.2 -10.7
2016-09 -6.1 -10.5
2016-08 -3.9 -4.1
2016-07 -5.1 -5.1
2016-06 -3.7 -4.0
2016-05 -3.8 4.8
2016-04 -8.7 1.5
2016-03 -3.5 -5.2
2016-02 -6.8 -9.2
2016-01 -6.1 -4.9
2015-12 -5.2 -15.3
2015-11 -3.5 3.0
2015-10 0.3 4.4
2015-09 -2.6 1.6
2015-08 -1.5 8.0
2015-07 -6.3 -0.6
2015-06 -1.3 -8.3
2015-05 -3.0 -4.4
2015-04 -2.2 -2.6
2015-03 -3.3 -5.4
2015-02 -1.9 -4.3
2015-01 -4.9 -8.6
2014-12 -12.7 -10.2
2014-11 -13.6 -14.7
2014-10 -16.8 -23.7
2014-09 -18.4 -30.6
2014-08 -17.3 -19.8
2014-07 -10.3 -5.9
2014-06 -13.8 -11.9
2014-05 -11.3 -14.8
2014-04 -9.6 -21.3
2014-03 -11.1 -16.9
2014-02 -13.3 -13.1
2014-01 -12.7 -10.7
2013-12 -15.2 -10.6
2013-11 -13.5 -12.9
2013-10 -13.4 -11.5
2013-09 -7.5 -12.8
2013-08 -13.4 -18.3
2013-07 -23.1 -26.0
2013-06 -19.4 -24.4
2013-05 -21.7 -29.8
2013-04 -19.6 -31.8
2013-03 -17.1 -25.9
2013-02 -14.0 -27.2
2013-01 -25.5 -17.3
2012-12 -17.7 -21.2
2012-11 -18.5 -16.4
2012-10 -19.3 -23.0
2012-09 -21.7 -23.8
2012-08 -15.1 -8.3
2012-07 -15.4 -19.5
2012-06 -12.9 -18.3
2012-05 -16.8 -14.8
2012-04 -13.7 -8.1
2012-03 -16.0 -12.3
2012-02 -15.4 -15.4
2012-01 -19.9 -20.3
2011-12 -13.9 -17.5
2011-11 -12.6 -13.0
2011-10 -13.5 -15.7
2011-09 -13.1 -17.4
2011-08 -11.3 -6.5
2011-07 -11.6 -9.4
2011-06 -11.4 0.1
2011-05 -7.9 3.6
2011-04 -7.2 1.7
2011-03 -5.8 -6.4
2011-02 -2.4 1.6
2011-01 -1.8 4.3
2010-12 -1.3 4.1
2010-11 -4.9 -8.0
2010-10 1.3 -3.9
2010-09 -2.3 -1.8
2010-08 -1.6 4.0
2010-07 -7.9 -5.3
2010-06 -4.7 -1.0
2010-05 -7.0 2.1
2010-04 -4.5 -2.7
2010-03 -10.0 -20.1
2010-02 -9.9 -13.0
2010-01 -13.4 -4.7

Recent sales and ordering intentions

  • Source: INSEE

The balance of opinion on the expected prices has diminished again

In March 2024, the balance of opinion on the expected prices has retreated but remains above its long-term average.

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles
Expected prices
2024-03 4.2
2024-02 7.2
2024-01 3.2
2023-12 9.1
2023-11 8.0
2023-10 13.6
2023-09 14.4
2023-08 13.9
2023-07 14.4
2023-06 18.8
2023-05 26.8
2023-04 37.0
2023-03 46.7
2023-02 45.3
2023-01 41.2
2022-12 37.3
2022-11 38.2
2022-10 44.5
2022-09 40.9
2022-08 42.2
2022-07 40.3
2022-06 41.0
2022-05 41.3
2022-04 36.1
2022-03 37.5
2022-02 35.8
2022-01 26.1
2021-12 24.9
2021-11 26.2
2021-10 23.5
2021-09 15.1
2021-08 14.4
2021-07 13.4
2021-06 10.1
2021-05 3.7
2021-04 0.5
2021-03 1.7
2021-02 -0.2
2021-01 0.3
2020-12 -3.9
2020-11 -4.0
2020-10 2.9
2020-09 1.0
2020-08 -0.1
2020-07 -2.7
2020-06 -3.6
2020-05 -8.2
2020-04 -8.1
2020-03 -1.5
2020-02 2.1
2020-01 -0.2
2019-12 3.0
2019-11 1.5
2019-10 3.9
2019-09 1.8
2019-08 -1.0
2019-07 -1.2
2019-06 -3.3
2019-05 -0.5
2019-04 2.3
2019-03 0.9
2019-02 0.3
2019-01 -2.9
2018-12 4.1
2018-11 -1.3
2018-10 -0.6
2018-09 0.3
2018-08 -1.6
2018-07 0.7
2018-06 -3.3
2018-05 -2.0
2018-04 -3.0
2018-03 -3.4
2018-02 0.9
2018-01 -3.5
2017-12 -1.6
2017-11 1.4
2017-10 3.6
2017-09 -2.0
2017-08 -0.4
2017-07 -2.5
2017-06 -2.1
2017-05 -7.4
2017-04 -4.2
2017-03 -1.1
2017-02 -4.1
2017-01 0.2
2016-12 -0.7
2016-11 -1.2
2016-10 -7.3
2016-09 -6.5
2016-08 -4.2
2016-07 -4.5
2016-06 -7.6
2016-05 -4.7
2016-04 -6.4
2016-03 -5.1
2016-02 -6.6
2016-01 -8.3
2015-12 -7.5
2015-11 -2.8
2015-10 -3.0
2015-09 -7.2
2015-08 -7.8
2015-07 -5.6
2015-06 -3.1
2015-05 -7.4
2015-04 -5.3
2015-03 -9.3
2015-02 -10.0
2015-01 -11.7
2014-12 -11.4
2014-11 -11.8
2014-10 -13.8
2014-09 -14.0
2014-08 -12.2
2014-07 -9.7
2014-06 -13.9
2014-05 -14.2
2014-04 -16.4
2014-03 -12.7
2014-02 -10.3
2014-01 -2.4
2013-12 -1.0
2013-11 -3.6
2013-10 -2.9
2013-09 -0.5
2013-08 -3.5
2013-07 -1.6
2013-06 -6.9
2013-05 -0.7
2013-04 -13.8
2013-03 -1.6
2013-02 -8.2
2013-01 -6.3
2012-12 -1.6
2012-11 -5.0
2012-10 -4.8
2012-09 -0.9
2012-08 -3.6
2012-07 -1.8
2012-06 -2.0
2012-05 -1.6
2012-04 -1.2
2012-03 3.7
2012-02 3.7
2012-01 5.1
2011-12 7.1
2011-11 4.8
2011-10 3.3
2011-09 3.3
2011-08 5.2
2011-07 4.8
2011-06 5.2
2011-05 9.7
2011-04 9.0
2011-03 7.6
2011-02 5.8
2011-01 2.5
2010-12 -1.4
2010-11 -0.2
2010-10 0.8
2010-09 -1.7
2010-08 -5.0
2010-07 -3.6
2010-06 -0.8
2010-05 -3.4
2010-04 -4.2
2010-03 -4.3
2010-02 -5.0
2010-01 -5.7
2009-12 -5.7
2009-11 -9.3
2009-10 -8.0
2009-09 -4.9
2009-08 -11.4
2009-07 -5.7
2009-06 -16.4
2009-05 -17.4
2009-04 -18.3
2009-03 -30.6
2009-02 -17.4
2009-01 -17.8
2008-12 -20.4
2008-11 -26.8
2008-10 -6.3
2008-09 -15.4
2008-08 4.6
2008-07 6.0
2008-06 3.8
2008-05 1.9
2008-04 1.5
2008-03 8.1
2008-02 1.5
2008-01 5.4
2007-12 3.1
2007-11 14.5
2007-10 0.0
2007-09 7.8
2007-08 0.7
2007-07 -6.0
2007-06 -5.0
2007-05 -1.7
2007-04 -8.9
2007-03 -5.8
2007-02 -1.7
2007-01 -6.2

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

  • Source: INSEE

The business outlook has improved more in trade and repair of motor vehicles than in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles)

The balance associated with the general business outlook has sharply rebounded in trade and repair of motor vehicles and more moderately in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles); both of these balances lie above their average.

The balance associated with the expected sales has sharply rebounded in trade and repair of motor vehicles, while remaining below its average, and it has increased again in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), moving back above its own.

In both sectors, the balance on the ordering intentions has increased and is back to its long-term average.

The balance on the expected selling prices has diminished sharply in trade and repair of motor vehicles and has moved away from its average. In retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), it has slightly decreased but remains well above its own.

Finally, the balance on the current level of stocks is stable in trade and repair of motor vehicles, while it has sharply diminished in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles).

Balances of opinion by sub-sector in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles

Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.
Balances of opinion by sub-sector in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles (Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.)
Ave. (1) Dec. 23 Jan. 24 Feb. 24 Mar. 24
Retail trade
General business outlook -28 -16 -14 -21 -19
Recent sales -7 -13 7 -16 -10
Expected sales -2 -9 -9 -2 0
Ordering intentions -7 -13 -2 -8 -7
Stocks 10 20 20 17 11
Past selling prices (2) -5 - 6 - 7
Expected selling prices -2 11 3 9 8
Cash position (2) -14 - -20 - -20
Past workforce size 0 -12 -7 -17 -12
Expected workforce size -4 -9 -9 -9 -10
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 39 37 34 38
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
General business outlook -25 -22 -24 -31 -20
Recent sales -8 -12 -19 -6 -12
Expected sales -7 -15 -15 -22 -14
Ordering intentions -9 -14 -15 -11 -9
Stocks 12 16 15 16 16
Past selling prices (2) 5 - 4 - 4
Expected selling prices 7 4 4 3 -4
Cash position (2) -21 - -21 - -17
Past workforce size -7 -3 -2 -1 5
Expected workforce size -5 0 -6 1 -1
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 43 44 42 43 41
  • (1) Average since 1991 for retail trade and 2003 for trade and repair of motor vehicles (except 2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions, and April 2021 for uncertainty felt).
  • (2) Bimonthly question (odd-numbered months).
  • (3) Non-seasonally adjusted balance.
  • Source: INSEE - monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Revisions

The business climate for February 2024 in retail trade (including trade and repair of motor vehicles) has been revised upwards by one point (after rounding). This revision is mainly due to the inclusion of late responses from companies.

For more information

The whole sector “retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles” is composed for 70% of retail trade and for 30% of trade and repair of motor vehicles.

For the three-modality questions, a balance of opinion is the difference between weighted percentage of “increase” or “above normal” answers and weighted percentage of “decrease” or “below normal” answers.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Company responses were collected between 26 February and 18 March 2024.

Next issue: 25 April 2024 at 8:45 am.

Documentation

Changes to business tendency surveys related to European harmonisation – October 2021 (pdf,181 Ko)

Abbreviated methodology (pdf,137 Ko)

Retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles (Monthly survey in the)

Pour en savoir plus

: bureau-de-presse@insee.fr

Publication calendar

Time series : Retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles

Ouvrir dans un nouvel ongletThe Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys (BCS)