21 December 2017

2017- n° 339

In December 2017, the business climate remains favourable in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - December 2017

According to the managers in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles, the business climate remains favourable in December 2017. The composite indicator that measures it has lost one point compared to November, at 115. Nevertheless, it remains significantly above its long-term average (100), that it has reached or exceeded since February 2015.

More managers than in November have declared a rise in their recent sales. About the next months, both balances concerning expected sales and ordering intentions have fallen back, while remaining substantially above their average. Nevertheless, the entrepreneurs are very confident about the general business outlook in their sector: the associated balance has kept on rising and has reached its highest level since the beginning of 2000.

Stocks have been considered slightly below their standard level.

Slightly fewer traders than in November have expected increases in prices on the next months. The corresponding balance remains above its mean level.

In retail trade as in motor trade, the balance on past employment has significantly declined after a high point in November. It has returned below its average again in retail trade, but it has remained above in motor trade. Concerning the balance on expected employment, it stays above its average. It is stable in retail trade and has slightly risen in motor trade.

In retail trade, the business climate has slightly declined: the composite indicator that measures it has lost one point, at 109. However, it remains substantially above its average (100).

In non-specialised trade as in specialised trade, the balance concerning recent sales has increased. Fewer non-specialised traders than in November have expected a rise in their sales and their orders, unlike specialised traders. All the balances on expected activity stay above their mean level.

In retail trade as a whole, the balance about expected prices has slightly decreased and has moved closer to its average.

In trade and repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles, the business climate has faltered: it has lost two points, at 117, but remains significantly above its average (100).

The balances about ordering intentions and general outlook have fallen back. Nevertheless, the balance on expected sales is stable, and the one concerning past sales has risen a little. These four balances remain above their mean level.

Fewer car traders than in November have expected increases in prices for the next months. The corresponding balance has exceeded its average.