31 January 2017

2017- n° 31

In November 2016, the sales volume accelerated in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and in household services Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services - November 2016

In November 2016, the sales volume accelerated in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+2.3% after +0.2% in October) and in household services (+1.8% after +0.6%). It recovered in accommodation and food service activities (+0.5% after −0.7%) and levelled off in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

The sales volume in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles flattened out in November 2016, after a significant increase in October (+1.5%). According to early estimates, it should rise again in December (+0.8%).

The sales volume edged down in specialised stores (−0,2% after +2.4%), especially in the retail sale of other goods (clothes, pharmacy, etc.: −0.3% after +3.2% in October).

However it accelerated in retail trade not in stores (+1.3% after +0.5%). It was virtually stable in non-specialised stores (+0.1%).

The sales volume in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased over the last three months (+1.6%, q-o-q) and year on year (+3.5% y-o-y).

The sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles gathered pace significantly in November (+2.3% after +0.2%). It increased in all sectors but it was mainly supported by sale of motor vehicles (+2.1%) and by sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+2.8%).

The sales volume of the whole sector rose over the last three months (+2.9%, q-o-q) and sharply year on year (+6.4% y-o-y).

In November 2016, the sales volume recovered in accommodation and food service activities (+0.5% after −0.7% in October). This rebound was due to accommodation (+1.6% after −2.8%). Food and beverage service activities remained virtually stable with a slight recovery in restaurants and fast food activities (+0.3% after −0.5%) offset by a downturn in event catering and other food services (−0.7% after +1.9%).

The sales volume of the whole sector increased over the last three months (+0.7% q-o-q) and year on year (+3.1% y-o-y).

In November, the sales volume in household services increased faster (+1.8% after +0.6% in October). This increase was mainly owed to the strong rebound in creative, arts and entertainment activities (+8.8% after −7.9%), in other personal service activities (hairdressing, beauty care, etc.: +2.3% after −0.1%) and in gambling and betting activities (+1.7% after −1.5%). On the other hand, the sales volume fell back mostly in repair of computers (−0.7% after +3.3% in October) and in sports activities and amusement (−0.4% after +5.3%).

The sales volume in household services was virtually stable over the last three months (+0.1% q-o-q) and increased strongly year on year (+4.8% y-o-y).

The variation in the sales volume for October 2016 lowered by 0.3 points in household services. It has been raised by 0.1 points in all other sectors.

In December 2016, the turnover in large-scale food retailing rose slightly (+0.3% after a stability in November). Sales of automotive fuel accelerated (+3.9% after +1.8%) and those of food products edged up (+0.4% after −0.1% in November). However, sales of non food-products slipped again (−4.8% after −1.5%).