Informations rapides
31 May 2016
2016- n° 147
In March 2016, the sales volume returned to normal in household services and decreased in retail trade Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services - March 2016

In March 2016, the sales volume fell back strongly in household services returning to a normal level after an exceptional surge in February linked to the opening of ticket sales for UEFA EURO 2016 (−10.0% after +12.2% in February). It edged down in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−0.3% after +0.4%). On the contrary, it recovered in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+0.5% after −1.3%) and increased again in accommodation and food service activities (+0.5% after +1,5%).

Every index in this issue is in value (tax excluded), seasonally and working day adjusted (SA-WDA). The commentary shows variations of subsections by decreasing contribution. The contribution of a subsection depends on the extent of the change and on its weight.

In March 2016, the sales volume fell back strongly in household services returning to a normal level after an exceptional surge in February linked to the opening of ticket sales for UEFA EURO 2016 (−10.0% after +12.2% in February). It edged down in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−0.3% after +0.4%). On the contrary, it recovered in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+0.5% after −1.3%) and increased again in accommodation and food service activities (+0.5% after +1,5%).

Graph1_AnglaisSales volume in the retail trade and personal services

  • Source: INSEE

Slight downturn in retail trade

In March 2016, the sales volume shrank slightly in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−0.3% after +0.4% in February). According to early estimates, it should recover slightly in April (+0.2%).

The sales volume slipped back in all forms of retailing: non specialised stores (−0.4%), specialised stores (−0.2%), not in stores (−1.4%). Within specialised retailing, the fall in retail sale of automotive fuel (−2.6%) was largely offset by the increase in retail sale of other goods (clothings, perfumes, etc: +0.3%).

The sales volume in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased over the first quarter(+1.7%) and year on year (+4.0%).

Tab1_anglaisSales volume in the retail trade and personal services

SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010
Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services (SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010)
Change in %
NACE Classification Weight Mar/ Feb. Feb./ Jan. q-o-q (1) y-o-y (2)
47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1000 –0.3 0.4 1.7 4.0
471 Retail sale in non-specialized stores 370 –0.4 0.9 0.7 1.9
472 to 477 Retail sale in specialized stores 572 –0.2 0.1 2.2 5.2
478 and 479 Retail trade not in stores 58 –1.4 1.2 2.0 4.8
45 Trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1000 0.5 –1.3 3.3 6.5
I Accommodation and food service activities 1000 0.5 1.5 2.6 4.8
R+S Household services 1000 –10.0 12.2 7.6 9.7
R Arts, entertainment and recreation 422 –22.0 27.5 15.3 18.3
S Other service activities 578 2.2 –0.1 1.8 3.1
  • (1) Quarter-on-quarter: last three months / previous three months.
  • (2) Year-on-year: last three months / same three months of the previous year.
  • The codes correspond to different levels of aggregation of the classification NAF rev.2
  • Source: INSEE

Tabprecoce_anglaisSales volume in the retail trade: early estimate*

SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010
Sales volume in the retail trade: early estimate* (SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010)
Change in %
Apr 2016/ Mar 2016 Apr 2016/ Apr 2015
47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 0.2 3.4
  • * Econometric estimate from a set of sources available within 30 days after the end of the reference month
  • Source: INSEE

Rebound in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

The sales volume in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles recovered in March (+0.5% after −1.3% in February), above all in sale of motor vehicles (+0.9% after −1.3%) and maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (+1.0% after −0.2%). On the contrary, the sales volume fell back significantly in sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related parts and accessories (−6.5% after +9.0%).

The sales volume of the whole sector grew strongly over the first quarter (+3.3%) and year-on-year (+6.5%).

Tab2_anglaisSales volume in the retail trade and personal services

SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010
Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services (SA-WDA volume, Base year 2010)
Change in %
Nace Classification Weight Mar 2016 Mar/ Feb. Feb./Jan. q-o-q (1)
47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1000 116.8 –0.3 0.4 1.7
471 Non-specialised stores 370 109.8 –0.4 0.9 0.7
472 to 477 Specialised stores 572 121.0 –0.2 0.1 2.2
472 Retail sale of food. beverages and tobacco in specialised stores 48 131.6 0.3 1.4 3.3
473 Retail sale of automotive fuel 77 98.1 –2.6 1.2 2.2
474 Retail sale of information and communication equipment 28 178.0 0.8 –0.1 1.9
475 Retail sale of other household equipment 113 106.1 –0.1 –0.3 3.5
476 Retail sale of cultural and recreation goods 48 104.5 –1.6 –0.2 0.3
477 Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores 259 129.3 0.3 –0.3 2.0
478 et 479 Retail trade not in stores 58 119.0 –1.4 1.2 2.0
45 Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1000 111.3 0.5 –1.3 3.3
451 Sale of motor vehicles 671 107.5 0.9 –1.3 3.9
452 Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles 78 104.9 1.0 –0.2 3.0
453 Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories 227 126.7 –0.2 –2.5 1.7
454 Sale. maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related parts and accessories 24 91.6 –6.5 9.0 6.2
I Accommodation and food service activities 1000 112.9 0.5 1.5 2.6
55 Accommodation 239 107.5 1.5 2.0 2.9
56 Food and beverage service activities 761 114.6 0.2 1.3 2.5
561 Restaurants… 560 114.9 0.1 0.5 2.5
562 Event catering… 119 108.2 0.0 5.7 1.9
563 Beverage serving activities 82 121.8 0.6 1.2 3.6
R+S Household services 1000 113.6 –10.0 12.2 7.6
R Arts, entertainment and recreation 422 118.0 –22.0 27.5 15.3
90 Creative, arts and entertainment activities 116 110.1 –2.9 4.9 4.3
91 Libraries, archives. museums… 10 137.1 6.9 –0.3 2.5
92 Gambling and betting activities 106 112.5 –0.7 1.4 0.7
93 Sports activities and amusement... 190 124.9 –36.6 53.2 30.1
S Other service activities 578 110.3 2.2 –0.1 1.8
95 Repair of computers… 206 98.2 7.5 –0.3 2.7
96 Other personal service activities 372 117.1 0.0 0.1 1.4
  • (1) Quarter-on-quarter: last three months / previous three months.
  • Source: INSEE

Four-month-in-a-row increase in accommodation and food service activities

The sales volume in accommodation and food service activities has risen continuously since December 2015 (+0.5% in March after +1.2% on average over the three months before). The increase came mainly from accommodation sector (+1.5%), the sales volume being virtually stable in restaurants and fast food activities (+0.1%).

The sales volume of the whole sector increased sharply over the first quarter 2016 compared to the last quarter of 2015 (+2.6%) and compared to the first quarter of 2015 (+4.8%).

Fall in household services

In March. the sales volume in household services returned to normal after the February peak (−10.0% after +12.2% due to the starting of sales of UEFA EURO 2016 tickets). Compared to January, it increased by +1.0%. This shrinking sales volume concerned mainly sports activities and amusement (−36.6% after +53.2%) and more moderately creative, arts and entertainment activities (−2.9%). Conversely, sales volume picked up in repair of computers (+7.5% after −0.3%).

The sales volume in household services rose significantly over the first quarter (+7.6%) and year-on-year (+9.7%).

Revisions

The variation in the sales volume for February 2016 has been raised by 0.5 points in household services, from +11.7% to +12.2%, due to the new calculation of SA-WDA coefficients. The variation has been raised by 0.1 points in the other sectors.

In April, turnover in large-scale food retailing recovered

In April 2016, the turnover in large-scale food retailing recovered (+0.7% after −1.3% in March). Sales of food products (+1.8% after −1.9%) and sales of non-food products (+0.7% after –0.5%) bounced back. However, sales of automotive fuel decreased again (−0.7% after −0.3% in March).

Tab3_anglaisMonthly turnover indices in large-scale food retailing

SA-WDA value. Base year 2010
Monthly turnover indices in large-scale food retailing (SA-WDA value. Base year 2010)
Change in %
Mar 16/ Feb. 16 Feb. 16/ Jan. 16 q-o-q (1) y-o-y (1)
Turnover 0.7 –1.3 1.2 0.5
Including
Sales of food products 1.8 –1.9 0.8 2.3
Sales of non-food products 0.7 –0.5 3.9 –0.6
Sales of automotive fuel –0.7 –0.3 –0.3 –9.1
  • (1) Quarter-on-quarter: last three months / previous three months.
  • Source: INSEE - Monthly survey on large scale food retailing (Emagsa)

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