28 February 2017

2017- n° 60

In December 2016, the sales volume declined in the whole retail trade Sales volume in the retail trade and personal services - December 2016

In December 2016, the sales volume decreased in retail trade (−0.5% after a stability in November) and declined in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−1.1% after +2.2%). It rose slightly in accommodation and food service activities (+0.3% after +0.5%) and levelled off in household services (+0.1% after +1.8%).

The sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles shrank in December 2016, (−0.5%) after a stability in November. According to early estimates, it should go on falling in January 2017 (−0.9%).

The sales volume decreased again in specialised stores (−0.6% after −0.2%), especially in the retail sale of other goods (perfumes, clothes, etc.: −0.4%), in the retail trade of food (−2.0%) and in that of information and communication equipment (−1.9%).

It fell back slightly in non specialised stores (−0.2% after +0.1%) and significantly in retail trade not in stores (−1.8% after +1.3%).

The sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased sharply over the last quarter 2016 (+1.6%, q-o-q) and year on year (+3.6% y-o-y).

The sales volume in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles slipped back sharply in December 2016 (−1.1%) after a significant acceleration in November (+2.2%). The decrease affected all subsectors but was particularly marked in sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (−3.3%).

The sales volume of the whole sector rose sharply over the last quarter 2016 (+2.7%. q-o-q) and considerably year on year (+7.8% y-o-y).

In December 2016, the sales volume grew slightly in accommodation and food service activities (+0.3% after +0.5% in November). It slowed down a little in accommodation (+0.8% after +2.0%). It increased slightly in food and beverage service activities (+0.2% after +0.1%) thanks to the rebound in beverage serving activities (+0.8% after a stability) and in event catering and other food services (+0.5% after −0.5%).

The sales volume of the whole sector was broadly steady over the last quarter 2016 (+0.1% q-o-q) and rose year on year (+2.3% y-o-y).

In December, the sales volume in household services was virtually stable (+0.1%) after an acceleration in November (+1.8%). The strong decrease of sales volume in sports activities and amusement (−4.3%) was offset by increases in repair of computers (+2.9%), in creative, arts and entertainment activities (+4.3%) and in gambling and betting activities (+2.4%).

The sales volume in household services grew strongly over the fourth quarter (+1.3% q-o-q) and year on year (+4.5% y-o-y).

The variation in the sales volume for November 2016 was lowered by 0.1 points in retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motocycles. It was inchanged in all other sectors.

In January 2017, the turnover in large-scale food retailing rose at the same pace as in December 2016 (+0.3%). Sales of automotive fuel accelerated again (+6.7% after +4.9% in December). Those of non-food products picked up sharply (+4.7% after −4.8%). However, sales of food products declined (−1.4% after +0.4%).