31 March 2017

2017- n° 90

In January 2017, the sales volume in overall trade was practically stable Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - January 2017

In January 2017, the sales volume in overall trade remained virtually stable (+0.1% after −0.9% in December 2016).

While it bounced back sharply in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.2% after −0.4%) and picked up moderately in retail trade (+0.3% after −0.4%), it went down again, yet slightly, in wholesale trade (−0.2% after −1.2%).

Over the last three months, the sales volume in the overall trade went up (+1.0%) in the whole trade. It rose in all sectors. It was particularly vigorous in the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+2.5%). The growth was less buoyant in retail trade (+1.0%): the sales volume grew strongly in specialised stores (+1.6%) and slightly in non-specialised stores (+0.3%) while retail trade not in stores fell back (−1.1%). Finally, the sales volume in wholesale trade increased moderately (+0.6%).

The sales volume of the past three months in the overall trade increased by 2.5% over a year. It rose significantly in the retail trade (+3.2%), above all in specialised stores (+3.5%).. It went up substantially in the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+7.6%). By contrast, the growth in wholesale trade was less marked (+1.0%).

In January 2017, the sales volume in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles bounced back (+1.2% after −0.4% in December 2016). It recovered significantly in the sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (+2.9% after −2,0%) and accelerated in the sale of motor vehicles (+0.8% after +0.2%). However, it shrank considerably in the sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related accessories (−6.6%).

In January 2017, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles piecked up slightly (+0.3% after −0.4% in December 2016), notably in specialised stores (+0.4% after −0.5%). On the one hand, sales volume recovered sharply (+5.1% after −1.3%) in information and communication equipment as well as in food and beverages (+2.6% after −1.7%). The sales volume in non-specialised stores increased slightly (+0.2%). On the other hand, the sales volume kept on decreasing in other specialised stores (clothing, shoes etc.: −0.9% after −0.2%). According to the first early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles should accelerate again in February 2017 (+0.7%), taking the rise over one year to +2.8%.

The sales volume in whosesale trade continued to decline in January 2017, yet at a much lower pace than in December (−0.2% after −1.2% in December 2016). It slipped back mainly in information and communication equipment (−5.8% after +1.9%) and in other specialised wholesale (chemical products, construction materials, etc.: −2.1% after +1.7%). By contrast, two wholesale subsectors faced a significant upswing in sales volume: food and beverages (+2.4% after −2.6%) and machinery, equipment and supplies (+3.1% after −3.4%).