28 October 2016

2016- n° 289

In August 2016, the sales volume rebounded in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services - August 2016

Every index in this issue (except those on large scale food retailing survey) is in volume (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 August 2016, the sales volume rebounded sharply in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+3.6%) after two months of decline (−2.4% in July and −0,5% in June). It recovered slightly in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+0.2% after −0.2%). It accelerated in accommodation and food service activities (+0.8% after +0.3%). On the contrary, the sales volume decreased in household services (−1.3% after +0.8%).

In August 2016, the sales volume in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles edged up, returning to the June level (+0.2% after −0.2%). According to early estimates, it should increase again in September (+0.5%).

The sales volume picked up strongly in retail trade not in stores (+6,5% après −4,0%). It increased a little in non-specialised stores (+0.2% as in July). It decreased slightly in specialised stores (−0.3% after −0.1%) : declines in retail sale of other goods in

specialised stores (clothing, perfumes, etc.: −0.9%) and in retail sale of information and communication equipment (−2.4%) were not offset by increases in retail sale of automotive fuel (+1.3%) and in retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco (+1.2%).

The sales volume in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles was stable over the last three months and increased sharply year-on-year (+1.9% y-o-y).

The sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles recovered sharply in August (+3.6%) after two months of decline (−2.4% in July and −0.5% in June). This overall rebound was particularly strong in sale of motor vehicles (+4.8%) and sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+1.6%).

The sales volume of the whole sector decreased slightly over the last three months (−0.2% q-o-q) and grew substantially year-on-year (+4.5% y-o-y).

The sales volume in accommodation and food service activities accelerated in August (+0.8% after +0.3%). This growth was due to food and beverage service activities (+1.4%), mostly to restaurants and fast food activities (+1.6%) and beverage serving activities (+2.4%). However, the sales volume fell back in accommodation (−1.2% after +1.4%).

The sales volume of the whole sector was virtually stable over the last three months (+0.1% q-o-q) and increased sharply year-on-year (+2.5% y-o-y).

In August, the sales volume in household services fell back (−1.3% after +0.8%). This decrease affected mainly sports activities and amusement and recreation activities (−12.1%) and to a lesser extent, gambling and betting activities (−3.4%). However, the sales volume recovered in other personal service activities (hairdressing, laundry services, etc .: +3.4%) and in creative, arts and entertainment activities (+4.7%).

The sales volume in household services grew over the last three months (+0.9% q-o-q) and strongly year-on-year (+4.1% y-o-y).

The variation in the sales volume for July 2016 has been raised by 0.6 points in accommodation and food services activities, by 0.2 points in trade and repair of motor vehicles and by 0.1 points in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and in household services. These revisions are due, in particular, to adjustments related to lags in VAT returns in July and August and to the new calculation of the SA-WDA coefficients.

In September 2016, the turnover in large-scale food retailing bounced back (+0.9% after −0.5% in August) thanks to the sales of food products (+1.7%). The sales of non food-products have dwindled since May 2016 (–0.5% on average from May to September). Sales of automotive fuel stalled.