Informations Rapides · 31 March 2021 · n° 091

In January 2021, sales volume in trade fell back slightly Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - January 2021

In January 2021, the volume of sales in trade decreased slightly (−0.5%), following a sharp rebound in December 2020 (+8.9%).

In January 2021, the volume of sales in retail trade dwindled sharply (−4.4% after +20.8%), in the context of a reinforced curfew, and postponed winter sales. The volume of sales thus decreased in all sectors: in specialised stores (−5.4% after +30.3%), in non-specialised stores (−2.3% after +13.4%), and in retail trade not in stores (−6.5% after +5.2%). Among specialised stores, the volume of sales decreased markedly in "other goods" (clothing, footwear, leather goods, etc.: −7.2% after +33.5%), other household equipment (furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.: −6.3% after +28.9%), and cultural and recreation goods (−13.8% after +76.4%). The percentage change of these sub-sectors was all the more significant as it came after a particularly dynamic December, with the reopening of all stores and the delay of "Black Friday" discounts from November to December. The volume of sales in automotive fuel kept recovering in January (+6.6% after +20.3%) while remaining at a lower level than that of February 2020, before the pandemic (−11.4%).

The volume of sales in wholesale trade kept increasing in January (+1.0% after +2.2% in December 2020). It ramped up strongly in the wholesale on a fee or contract basis (+6.3% after +0.5%), and dwindled in household goods (−2.7% after +6.6%).

In January, the volume of sales in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles carried on rising (+2.5%), after a sharp rebound in December (+13.0%).

According to early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles is expected to have decreased in February 2021 (−1.2%), especially due to the continuation of the curfew measures, and the closure of some non-food shopping centres. From December 2020 to February 2021, it should have increased by 3.8% when compared with the same period one year earlier.

The volume of sales of the past three months (November 2020 to January 2021) in overall trade decreased by 1.3% when compared with that of the same period one year earlier. It decreased in all the main sectors: in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−5.3%), in wholesale trade (−0.7%), and in retail trade (−0.6%). Within retail trade, the volume of sales fell in specialised stores (−5.0%), while it increased sharply in retail trade not in stores (+21.7%), and slightly in non-specialised stores (+0.5%).

The percentage change in the sales volume of overall trade in December 2020 has been slightly revised upwards, at +8.9% instead of +8.6% initially published.