Informations Rapides ·
30 June 2021 · n° 175
In April 2021, sales volume in trade fell back sharply Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - April 2021
In April 2021, the volume of sales in trade decreased sharply (−4.3% after +1.4% in March), due to the third national lockdown. However, this downturn is less marked than in March and April 2020, at the time of the first lockdown (−18.3% and −19.5%, respectively), and in November 2020, at the time of the second lockdown (−8.3%).
All data are corrected for seasonal and working day effects (SA-WDA).
In the following paragraphs, percentage changes by subsections are presented in descending order of their contribution to the overall percentage change of the volume of sales in wholesale and retail trade index. The contribution of a subsection takes into account its weight and the magnitude of its evolution.
In April 2021, the volume of sales in trade decreased sharply (−4.3% after +1.4% in March), due to the third national lockdown. However, this downturn is less marked than in March and April 2020, at the time of the first lockdown (−18.3% and −19.5%, respectively), and in November 2020, at the time of the second lockdown (−8.3%).
In April 2021, sales volume decreased in the three main trade sectors
The volume of sales in retail trade dropped markedly in April 2021 (−7.2% after +1.7% in March), especially due to the closure of "non-essential" stores. Thus, the volume of sales fell drastically in specialised stores (−13.2% after +0.3%), and decreased more moderatly in non-specialised stores (−0.4% after +3.4%) and retail trade not in stores (−1.1% after +2.7%). Within specialised stores, the volume of sales decreased sharply in all the sub-sectors, except for food, beverages and tobacco (+1.2% after +0.2%). The decrease was particularly strong in "other goods" (clothing, footwear, leather goods, etc.: −15.8% after −0.3%), other household equipment (furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.: −13.1% after +2.6%) and cultural and recreation goods (−23.3% after +1.8%). Concerning automotive fuel, the volume of sales slumped in March (−11.6% after −2.2%) due to restricted movements.
The volume of sales in wholesale trade dwindled in April (−2.9% after +0.8% in March). It fell back sharply in household goods (−4.7% after +2.4%) and wholesale on a fee or contract basis (−5.3% after +1.9%). On the other hand, the volume of sales rebounded strongly in information and communication equipment (+13.0%) following a significant drop in March (−11.7%).
In April, the volume of sales decreased markedly in the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (−4.1% after +3.2%), particularly in the sale of motor vehicles (−4.6% after +3.9% in March).
Forecast
According to early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles is expected to have increased by almost 10% in May 2021, due to the easing of health restrictions. From March to May 2021, it should have increased by 25.5% when compared with that of the same period one year earlier, with a base effect due to the start of the first lockdown in March 2020.
tableauSales volume in wholesale trade and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
| Motor vehicles and motorcycles - 45 | Wholesale - 46 | Retail trade - 47 | Wholesale and retail trade - G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-01 | 105.12 | 101.76 | 102.4 | 102.37 |
| 2016-02 | 104.5 | 101.96 | 103.1 | 102.62 |
| 2016-03 | 104.82 | 102.37 | 102.24 | 102.64 |
| 2016-04 | 106.05 | 101.65 | 101.93 | 102.29 |
| 2016-05 | 106.04 | 101.8 | 102.79 | 102.63 |
| 2016-06 | 105.89 | 100.28 | 102.49 | 101.64 |
| 2016-07 | 103.32 | 100.4 | 102.72 | 101.45 |
| 2016-08 | 107.78 | 100.79 | 102.53 | 102.19 |
| 2016-09 | 108.21 | 100.82 | 102.9 | 102.37 |
| 2016-10 | 107.02 | 100.83 | 104.72 | 102.77 |
| 2016-11 | 110.61 | 103.67 | 103.84 | 104.6 |
| 2016-12 | 109.46 | 102.16 | 104.05 | 103.64 |
| 2017-01 | 110.5 | 102.29 | 105.03 | 104.14 |
| 2017-02 | 111.76 | 103.08 | 105.61 | 104.93 |
| 2017-03 | 113.6 | 104.82 | 105.88 | 106.25 |
| 2017-04 | 109.33 | 102.64 | 105.57 | 104.35 |
| 2017-05 | 114.43 | 103.96 | 106.27 | 105.97 |
| 2017-06 | 114.13 | 104.78 | 105.69 | 106.24 |
| 2017-07 | 114.87 | 106.13 | 107.29 | 107.59 |
| 2017-08 | 114.36 | 105.45 | 105.9 | 106.72 |
| 2017-09 | 116.23 | 106.07 | 109.3 | 108.31 |
| 2017-10 | 117.53 | 104.17 | 106.16 | 106.46 |
| 2017-11 | 117.73 | 106.34 | 109.67 | 108.77 |
| 2017-12 | 121.18 | 106.85 | 108.32 | 109.11 |
| 2018-01 | 117.0 | 105.17 | 107.71 | 107.43 |
| 2018-02 | 117.39 | 105.63 | 108.69 | 108.03 |
| 2018-03 | 118.99 | 105.55 | 110.38 | 108.68 |
| 2018-04 | 119.25 | 106.06 | 108.48 | 108.45 |
| 2018-05 | 119.28 | 107.32 | 109.79 | 109.57 |
| 2018-06 | 120.39 | 107.49 | 110.0 | 109.87 |
| 2018-07 | 118.39 | 105.55 | 110.01 | 108.49 |
| 2018-08 | 118.58 | 107.16 | 110.1 | 109.48 |
| 2018-09 | 118.06 | 105.22 | 110.13 | 108.3 |
| 2018-10 | 119.8 | 108.5 | 111.49 | 110.82 |
| 2018-11 | 117.89 | 107.34 | 110.83 | 109.71 |
| 2018-12 | 111.6 | 107.52 | 110.01 | 108.78 |
| 2019-01 | 121.4 | 107.59 | 110.77 | 110.28 |
| 2019-02 | 122.83 | 108.97 | 112.32 | 111.72 |
| 2019-03 | 121.37 | 108.78 | 111.85 | 111.29 |
| 2019-04 | 122.41 | 110.17 | 113.03 | 112.57 |
| 2019-05 | 122.27 | 109.92 | 112.27 | 112.19 |
| 2019-06 | 122.57 | 109.48 | 112.75 | 112.11 |
| 2019-07 | 123.37 | 109.5 | 111.86 | 111.96 |
| 2019-08 | 124.02 | 110.41 | 114.21 | 113.27 |
| 2019-09 | 123.92 | 110.56 | 113.22 | 113.05 |
| 2019-10 | 122.65 | 110.5 | 113.3 | 112.87 |
| 2019-11 | 124.22 | 110.26 | 114.21 | 113.2 |
| 2019-12 | 123.91 | 109.67 | 113.03 | 112.47 |
| 2020-01 | 122.64 | 110.4 | 113.74 | 112.95 |
| 2020-02 | 120.83 | 109.7 | 113.62 | 112.27 |
| 2020-03 | 64.32 | 95.72 | 95.91 | 91.78 |
| 2020-04 | 30.57 | 81.06 | 78.5 | 73.89 |
| 2020-05 | 88.54 | 97.21 | 107.55 | 99.16 |
| 2020-06 | 129.19 | 110.82 | 116.87 | 114.94 |
| 2020-07 | 133.95 | 111.28 | 113.06 | 114.69 |
| 2020-08 | 133.46 | 109.99 | 120.94 | 116.2 |
| 2020-09 | 129.57 | 109.76 | 116.76 | 114.35 |
| 2020-10 | 126.44 | 110.01 | 119.3 | 114.84 |
| 2020-11 | 107.03 | 107.17 | 100.83 | 105.28 |
| 2020-12 | 120.07 | 109.74 | 122.04 | 114.68 |
| 2021-01 | 123.69 | 111.04 | 116.61 | 114.29 |
| 2021-02 | 120.69 | 111.79 | 118.35 | 114.86 |
| 2021-03 | 124.5 | 112.71 | 120.31 | 116.45 |
| 2021-04 | 119.36 | 109.48 | 111.69 | 111.39 |
graphiqueSales volume in wholesale trade and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
- Sources: DGFiP, INSEE
tableauSales volume in wholesale trade and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
| Nace Classification | Weight | Apr 2021 | Change in % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2021/Mar 2021 | Mar 2021/Feb. 2021 | Apr 2021/Feb. 2020 | q-o-q(1) | y-o-y(2) | |||
| G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 10000 | 111.4 | -4.3 | 1.4 | -0.8 | 2.5 | 23.3 |
| 45 Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 1272 | 119.4 | -4.1 | 3.2 | -1.2 | 3.9 | 69.0 |
| 451 Sale of motor vehicles | 850 | 123.7 | -4.6 | 3.9 | -1.9 | 3.5 | 80.8 |
| 452 Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles | 89 | 112.6 | -0.8 | -0.8 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 41.5 |
| 453 Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories | 306 | 109.6 | -3.7 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 5.1 | 46.8 |
| 454 Sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related parts and accessories | 27 | 117.3 | -4.2 | -2.0 | 3.6 | 6.1 | 75.7 |
| 46 Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 5777 | 109.5 | -2.9 | 0.8 | -0.2 | 1.8 | 16.6 |
| 461 Wholesale on a fee or contract basis | 813 | 114.8 | -5.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 15.9 |
| 462 Agricultural raw materials and live animals | 390 | 82.0 | -5.8 | 1.7 | -18.4 | -4.8 | -12.6 |
| 463 Food, beverages and tobacco | 1029 | 99.0 | -4.3 | 3.9 | -4.8 | 1.9 | 6.3 |
| 464 Household goods | 1130 | 115.7 | -4.7 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 24.3 |
| 465 Information and communication equipment | 331 | 148.3 | 13.0 | -11.7 | 18.2 | 15.8 | 23.9 |
| 466 Other machinery, equipment and supplies | 716 | 111.4 | -0.4 | -2.1 | -2.1 | -2.4 | 23.2 |
| 467 Other specialised wholesale | 1132 | 105.0 | -3.2 | 2.0 | -0.5 | 2.2 | 21.8 |
| 469 Non specialised wholesale trade | 236 | 114.2 | -6.3 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 21.2 |
| 47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 2952 | 111.7 | -7.2 | 1.7 | -1.7 | 3.2 | 21.6 |
| 471 Retail sale in non-specialised stores | 1109 | 115.9 | -0.4 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 5.6 |
| 472 to 477 Retail sale in specialised stores | 1622 | 99.5 | -13.2 | 0.3 | -10.5 | 1.6 | 32.2 |
| 472 Food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores | 155 | 138.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 12.6 | 3.6 | 18.8 |
| 473 Automotive fuel in specialised stores | 224 | 72.7 | -11.6 | -2.2 | -22.2 | 6.2 | 22.1 |
| 474 Information and communication equipment in specialised stores | 65 | 109.9 | -10.6 | -1.8 | -18.4 | -5.8 | 30.2 |
| 475 Other household equipment in specialised stores | 310 | 113.8 | -13.1 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 72.9 |
| 476 Cultural and recreation goods in specialised stores | 118 | 85.0 | -23.3 | 1.8 | -23.2 | 1.4 | 55.0 |
| 477 Other goods in specialised stores | 750 | 94.8 | -15.8 | -0.3 | -16.1 | -0.2 | 21.9 |
| 478 and 479 Retail trade not in stores | 221 | 180.3 | -1.1 | 2.7 | 33.5 | 8.4 | 39.7 |
- (1) Quarter-on-quarter: last three months /previous three months.
- (2) Year-on-year: last three months / same three months of previous year
- Sources: DGFiP, INSEE
The volume of sales of the past three months increased by 23.3% over a year
Owing to a base effect due to the start of the first lockdown in March 2020, the volume of sales of the past three months (February to April 2021) in overall trade increased by 23.3% when compared with that of the same period one year earlier. It grew sharply in wholesale trade (+16.6%), in the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+69.0%), and in retail trade (+21.6%). Within retail trade, the volume of sales increased over a year in all the sub-sectors: in specialised stores (+32.2%), in retail trade not in stores (+39.7%), and in non-specialised stores (+5.6%).
Revisions
The percentage change in the overall sales volume trade in March 2021 has been revised upwards, at +1.4% instead of +0.8% initially published.
tableauRevision of variationsin percentage points
| Mar/Feb. | Feb./Jan. | Jan./Dec. | Q1 2021/Q4 2020 | 2020/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G Overall trade | 0.61 | -0.11 | 0.02 | 0.16 | -0.01 |
| Raw series | 0.12 | -0.01 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 0.01 |
| SA-WDA parameters | 0.49 | -0.10 | 0.02 | 0.12 | -0.02 |
- How to read : in the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the SA-WDA variation between February and March 2021 is revised by +0.61 points. +0.12 points are due to the raw series’ revision and +0.49 points to the new calculation of the SA-WDA parameters.
- Sources: DGFiP, INSEE
For further information
Next issue: July 30, 2021 at 12pm
Documentation
Sales volume index in trade (pdf,35 Ko)
La note méthodologique simplifiee_anglais (pdf,28 Ko)
Pour en savoir plus
Next issue: July 30, 2021 at 12pm
Time series: Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade
Time series: Turnover index in wholesale and retail trade