20 December 2013
2013- n° 291In December 2013, the business climate remains dull in the retail trade and in the
trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - December 2013
According to the managers, the business climate has remained dull in December 2013 in the retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles: the composite indicator has stabilized at a lower level than its long-term average.
According to the managers, the business climate has remained dull in December 2013 in the retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles: the composite indicator has stabilized at a lower level than its long-term average.
graphiquegraph_indsynt_en – Business climate synthetic indicator
Steadiness of past activity
According to business leaders, past activity has not changed significantly: the corresponding balance has remained rather stable for three surveys, slightly lower than its mean level. About forecasts, managers are divided: more than over November have expected a progress in their sales, but less have anticipated a rise in ordering intentions. According to general business outlook, which balance has increased a little, managers might be less pessimistic about the economic situation in the trade sector.
Stocks were considered slightly higher, reaching their standard level.
The balance concerning expected prices has gone up.
graphiqueGraph_ventes_ic_en – Recent sales and ordering intentions
tableautab1_en – Global data
| Ave. (1) | Sept. 13 | Oct. 13 | Nov. 13 | Dec. 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business climate | 100 | 101 | 98 | 95 | 94 |
| General business outlook | –30 | –31 | –29 | –37 | –34 |
| Recent sales | –7 | –13 | –12 | –13 | –11 |
| Expected sales | –3 | –3 | –10 | –10 | –2 |
| Ordering intentions | –9 | –6 | –13 | –12 | –18 |
| Stocks | 11 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Past selling prices (2) | –6 | –6 | –7 | ||
| Expected selling prices | –3 | –1 | –5 | –4 | 0 |
| Cash position (2) | –15 | –23 | –25 | ||
| Workforce size: recent trend | 0 | –10 | –8 | –9 | –5 |
| Workforce size: future trend | –2 | –6 | –5 | –10 | –8 |
- (1) Average since 1991 (2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions).
- (2) Bi-monthly question (odd-numbered months).
- Source: monthly survey in the retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles - INSEE
Less unfavourable employment
According to business managers, employment has progressed over the last and the next few months. However, each of the two balances has stayed under its average.
Retail trade
Lesser decline of past activity
Less retailers than over the last month have declared a fall in their past sales. However, the corresponding balance has remained under its mean level. About forecasts, the expected sales balance has significantly progressed, getting over its average, while the ordering intentions one has decreased, being now very low. Non-specialized and specialized trade have followed these tendancies.
Stocks were estimated higher, getting over their standard level.
The expected prices balance has slightly gone up.
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
graphiquegraph_ventes_ic_auto_en – Recent sales and ordering intentions
Lower forecasts
According to vehicle traders, past activity has stabilized, the balance remaining under its mean level. Expected sales and ordering intentions have declined for the second survey in a row, each of both balances now being low.
The level of stocks is still considered stable, under the standard level.
Less and less managers have declared a fall in their expected selling prices.
tableautab2_en – Detailed data
| Moy. (1) | Sept. 13 | Oct. 13 | Nov. 13 | Dec. 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade - Global data | |||||
| Recent sales | –5 | –11 | –7 | –12 | –8 |
| Expected sales | 0 | –3 | –9 | –11 | 8 |
| Ordering intentions | –7 | –4 | –15 | –12 | –18 |
| Stocks | 10 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 14 |
| Past selling prices (2) | –7 | –7 | –7 | ||
| Expected selling prices | –4 | –1 | –4 | –5 | –3 |
| Cash position (2) | –13 | –21 | –22 | ||
| Workforce size: recent trend | 1 | –6 | –4 | –7 | –3 |
| Workforce size: future trend | –2 | –4 | –4 | –10 | –7 |
| Non-specialized retail trade | |||||
| Recent sales | –1 | –1 | 5 | –7 | –6 |
| Expected sales | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 21 |
| Ordering intentions | 2 | 11 | –5 | 0 | –15 |
| Stocks | 7 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 14 |
| Past selling prices (2) | –7 | –2 | –2 | ||
| Expected selling prices | –4 | 2 | 2 | –4 | 1 |
| Cash position (2) | –7 | –6 | –10 | ||
| Specialized retail trade | |||||
| Recent sales | –9 | –22 | –21 | –17 | –12 |
| Expected sales | –6 | –12 | –19 | –20 | –4 |
| Ordering intentions | –17 | –23 | –20 | –20 | –22 |
| Stocks | 14 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| Past selling prices (2) | –8 | –12 | –12 | ||
| Expected selling prices | –4 | –4 | –12 | –7 | –7 |
| Cash position (2) | –22 | –37 | –37 | ||
| Trade and repair of motor cars and motorcycles | |||||
| Recent sales | –11 | –17 | –23 | –17 | –17 |
| Expected sales | –9 | –4 | –10 | –11 | –20 |
| Ordering intentions | –14 | –9 | –8 | –15 | –21 |
| Stocks | 16 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Past selling prices (2) | 1 | –4 | –6 | ||
| Expected selling prices | 5 | –1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Cash position (2) | –26 | –28 | –30 | ||
| Workforce size: recent trend | –9 | –19 | –24 | –20 | –18 |
| Workforce size: future trend | –7 | –14 | –12 | –15 | –16 |
- (1) Average since 1991 (2003 for trade and repair of motor vehicles and 2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions).
- (2) Bi-monthly question (odd-numbered months).
- Source: monthly survey in the retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles - INSEE
Documentation
Methodology (pdf,129 Ko)
Pour en savoir plus
