21 April 2016

2016- n° 104

In April 2016, the business climate falters in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - April 2016

In retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles, the business climate has faltered, according to the managers surveyed in April 2016. The composite indicator that measures it has lost two points and stands at 102. It has been above its long term average (100) since the beginning of 2015.

In retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles, slightly more managers than in March have indicated a rise in their past activity: the corresponding balance has increased above its average for the second month in a row. Conversely, managers' forecasts are slightly less optimistic than in March: the three balances concerning general business outlook, expected sales and ordering intentions have dropped. The first ones have stayed above their average, the third one has gone below it.

Stocks are estimated stable, moderately above their standard level.

As many managers as in the last four months expect decreases in selling prices over the next few months.

Each of both balances concerning recent and expected workforce trends is practically stable, below its mean level.

In non-specialised retail trade, the balance concerning past activity has increased for the second month in a row and has gone above its average. The two balances concerning expected sales and ordering intentions have fallen back, each of them being below its average from now on. These trends are opposite in specialised trade: the balance concerning recent sales has gone on declining while those concerning expected activity and ordering intentions have picked up to their mean level.

Stocks are estimated stable. They stand above their standard level in non-specialised trade, below it in specialised one.

In both non-specialised and specialised trade, more retailers than in March foresee price falls over the next few months.

More motor vehicle traders than in March have indicated a rise in their past activity. The corresponding balance has increased for three months in a row, and stands at a high level. Slightly fewer of these traders expect a rise in their sales and their orders: each of these two balances has declined, remaining however clearly above its average.

Stocks have been considered stable, at their standard level.

The balance of opinion concerning past prices is virtually stable, slightly below its long-term average.

Both balances concerning recent and future workforce trends have recovered and stand above their average.