Informations Rapides · 22 July 2021 · n° 189

In July 2021, the business climate in retail trade and in trade and repair of vehicles as a whole has weakened slightly Monthly survey of retailing - July 2021

In July 2021, the business climate in retail trade and trade and repair of vehicles as a whole as weakened slightly. At 115, the indicator that synthesizes it has lost one point but remains far above its long-term average (100). This slight deterioration is mainly due to the sharp drop in the balance of opinion on the general business outlook for the sector, only partially offset by the increase in the balance of opinion on ordering intentions.

In July 2021, the balance of opinion on the general business outlook for the sector for the next three months has fallen back sharply but remains at a high level, well above its long-term average.

The balance on expected sales has also slipped back. On the other hand, the balance of opinion on recent sales has increased again. These two balances stand above their respective averages. That on the level of stocks has dropped again and has moved further away from its average.

The balance of opinion on ordering intentions has increased again and stands well above its average.

The balance on the expected development in selling prices over the next three months has increased for the third consecutive month. The bimonthly balance on the recent development in selling prices has continued to increase, as it has done since July 2020. These two balances stand well above their average. The bimonthly balance on the cash position has recovered from May and has returned above its own.

In July 2021, the balances of opinion of the business leaders on the change in their workforce size over the last three months and on the expected trend for the next three months have increased again, but remain below their respective averages.

In July 2021, in retail trade, the business climate has continued to recover. At 102, the composite indicator has gained three points and has returned above its long-term average (100). This improvement is mainly due to the increase in the opinion balances on employment. Indeed, the balances of opinion on the expected change in the workforce size for the next three months and on the recent change over the last three months have increased. However, they both remain below their respective averages.

The feelings of the retailers on their activity is more mixed. Thus, the balance of opinion on the general business outlook for the sector has fallen back sharply, while remaining well above its long-term average.

That on ordering intentions has risen again and has exceeded its average further. This is due to a further strong increase in this balance in specialised retail trade, while it has fallen in non-specialised retail trade.

However, the balance of opinion on expected sales has fallen back sharply, while remaining above its average. That on recent sales has risen again, driven by its very strong increase in specialised retail trade, while in non-specialised retail trade it has fallen sharply. The balance of opinion on the level of stocks has fallen again, more sharply than in June. It has returned below his average.

The balance on the expected development in selling prices has increased again, slightly, driven by non-specialised retail trade. It stands well above his average. The bimonthly balance on the recent development in selling prices has gone up sharply and has exceeded its average further. The one on the cash flow situation, also bimonthly, has increased and stands just above its own. This balance has rebounded strongly in specialised retail trade, while it is virtually stable in non-specialised retail trade.

In July 2021, in trade and repair of vehicles, the business climate has fallen back. At 113, it has lost 3 points but remains well above his average (100).

The expectations of business leaders are less optimistic. The balances of opinion on the general business outlook for the sector and on expected sales have fallen back sharply while remaining above their long-term average. That on ordering intentions is virtually stable, above its own.

The balance of opinion on recent sales has increased again and stands well above its average. The one on the level of stocks has recovered but remains below its own.

The balance on the expected development in selling prices has continued to increase and stands well above its average. The bimonthly balance on the recent development in selling prices is virtually stable, above its own. The one on the cash position, also bimonthly, has recovered sharply and has consolidated its position above its average.

Finally, the balance of opinion on the expected change in staff numbers has decreased while remaining above its average. That on the recent trend in workforce size has risen slightly, and has moved away a little from its own.