Informations rapides
31 January 2017
2017- n° 29
Household consumption expenditure on goods retreated in December (−0.8%) but it bounced back over the fourth quarter (+0.9%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - December 2016

In December 2016, household consumption expenditure on goods decreased in volume* (−0.8%), after two months of growth, mainly as a result of lower expenses on energy and food. Over the whole fourth quarter, it bounced back (+0.9% after −0.4%), mainly because of energy expenses and car purchases.

Informations rapides
No 29
Paru le :Paru le31/01/2017
Prochaine parution le : 27/09/2024 at 08:45 - August 2024

In December 2016, household consumption expenditure on goods decreased in volume* (−0.8%), after two months of growth, mainly as a result of lower expenses on energy and food. Over the whole fourth quarter, it bounced back (+0.9% after −0.4%), mainly because of energy expenses and car purchases.

*Volumes are measured at chain-link previous year prices (2010 euro billions) and all figures are trading-day and seasonally adjusted.

Graph1Total consumption of goods

  • Source: INSEE

Energy : downturn in December, sharp rebound over the quarter

In December, consumption of energy decreased strongly (−2.7%). Heating expenditure on gas and electricity were lower than in October and November, which were mild compared to the seasonal norms. Refined product purchases also fell back. Over the whole quarter, consumption of energy bounced back clearly (+3.7% after −1.5%), driven by expenses on gas and electricity.

Graph2Breakdown of energy

  • Source: INSEE

Food products : decreasing again in December, decline over the quarter

In December, consumption of food products decreased for the third consecutive month (−0.6%). This fall affected the unprocessed products as well as the manufactured ones. Over the fourth quarter, the decline reached −0.4% after a rise of 0.8% over the third quarter.

Graph3Food products, engineered goods and energy

  • Source: INSEE

Engineered goods : slight downturn in December, rebound over the quarter

In December, consumption of engineered goods diminished slightly (−0.2%), after two consecutive months of growth. Over the whole quarter, those expenses bounced back (+1.0% after −1.1%).

Durables : downturn over the month, rebound over the quarter

In December, expenditure on durables faltered (−0.5% after +1.5% in November), driven down by spending on household durables. However, car purchases kept growing. Over the fourth quarter, purchases of consumer durables were on the rise anew (+1.6% after −2.3%).

Textile-clothing: virtually stable in December

In December, expenditure on textile-clothing was virtually stable (−0.1% after −0.9%). Over the whole quarter, it recovered moderately (+0.4% after −0.6% over the third quarter).

Other engineered goods: slowdown at the end of the year

In December, households' purchases of other engineered goods slowed (+0.2% after +0.5%). Over the quarter, they increased as much as during the third quarter (+0.6%).

Graph4Breakdown of engineered goods

  • Source: INSEE

The variation in November 2016 is revised upwards

The variation in household expenditure on goods is revised upwards by 0.2 points in November 2016 and now stands at +0.6% instead of +0.4%. Since the previous publication, new information has been integrated, particularly concerning energy and household durables. Moreover, the seasonal adjustment coefficients have been updated.

TableHousehold consumption expenditure on goods

Variation in percentage
Household consumption expenditure on goods (Variation in percentage) -
Weight (1) Oct. 2016 Nov. 2016 Dec. 2016 Dec. 16 / Dec. 15 Q4 2016/Q3 2016
Food products 38 –0.1 –0.2 –0.6 –1.1 –0.4
Engineered goods 44 0.4 0.7 –0.2 1.2 1.0
- Inc. Durables 21 0.0 1.5 –0.5 1.4 1.6
- Automobiles 11 –1.3 3.0 1.8 5.1 2.6
- Household durables 7 1.7 –0.5 –3.5 –3.6 –0.1
- Inc. Textile-clothing 9 1.8 –0.9 –0.1 –0.4 0.4
- Inc. Other engineered goods 13 0.3 0.5 0.2 2.1 0.6
Energy 18 3.9 1.9 –2.7 7.9 3.7
- Inc. Energy, water, waste 10 5.1 1.9 –3.0 17.1 5.1
- Inc. Refined Products 8 2.3 1.9 –2.4 –1.4 1.8
Total 100 0.8 0.6 –0.8 1.5 0.9
- Inc. Manufactured goods 85 0.4 0.5 –0.5 0.4 0.6
  • (1) Weighting in the consumption expenditure on goods in value in 2015

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