Informations Rapides · 28 January 2022 · n° 26

Household consumption of goods slowed down in December 2021 (+0.2% after +0.9%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - December 2021

In December 2021, household consumption of goods in volume* slowed down (+0.2% after +0.9% in November - revised data). Energy consumption decreased in December by 1.3%, consumption of manufactured goods declined (-0.4% after +1.8%), while food consumption accelerated (+1.5% after +0.4%).

Over the whole fourth quarter 2021, household consumption of goods increased by 0.3%.

In December, food consumption accelerated (+1.5% after +0.4% in November). This increase is due to the rise in purchases of agrofood and agricultural products. Tobacco consumption decreased.

Over the whole fourth quarter 2021, food consumption increased by 1.3%.

Consumption of engineered goods fell in December (–0.4% after +1.8% in November). This decrease is mainly due to the fall in consumption of durable goods.

Over the whole fourth quarter 2021, consumption of engineered goods decreased by 0.5%

Purchases of durable goods fell sharply (–3.4% in December after +3.1% in November). This decrease is mainly explained by the strong decrease in purchases of housing equipment (especially communication equipment). However, consumption of housing equipment remains above its pre-crisis level. Consumption of other durable goods also declined, with a drop in purchases of eyeglasses in particular. Spending on transportation equipment decreased, due to a drop in purchases of used and demonstration vehicles and despite a slight increase in purchases of new cars.

Clothing-textile spending increased strongly in December (+6.3% after –0.9% in November). This increase is mainly driven by the rise in leather and footwear consumption.

In December, consumption of "other manufactured goods" continued to slightly increase (+0.4% after +0.4% in November). This increase is due in particular to a higher consumption of perfumes and personal care products.

Energy consumption decreased by 1.3% in December. In particular, gas and electricity consumption fell sharply, probably due to milder temperatures than in November. Fuel consumption also continued to decline for the second consecutive month.

Over the whole fourth quarter 2021, energy consumption increased by 0.3%.

The variation in household consumption expenditure on goods for November 2021 was revised slightly upwards by 0.1 points, to +0.9% instead of 0.8%. Since the previous publication, new information has been incorporated and the seasonal adjustment coefficients (SVC) have been updated.