The economic situation of trade in 2009

In 2009, household consumption through the channel of trade sectors remained almost stable in volume (+ 0,3 %). Sales in the three trade sectors are consistent with this trend. The wholesale trade industry was the most affected by the economic crisis. Its sales fell by 5,4% in volume after ten years of continuous growth. Sales of vehicles and automobile repair slowed down in volume (-0,6%). At the same time, primarily food retailing and craft sectors remained stable overall (+ 0,0%). While hypermarkets and supermarkets enjoyed a very limited growth (+0,4 %), smaller stores were stable or fell. Sales of the non-food retail trade sector decreased by 0,9%. Within this sector however, pharmacies kept growing at a steady pace despite the context of economic crisis. Salaried employment went down in 2009 across the trade industry with 44 700 jobs lost (- 1,5%) between december 2009 and december 2008.