Insee
Informations Rapides · 25 July 2024 · n° 180
Informations rapidesIn July 2024, the business climate has sharply deteriorated in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - July 2024

In July 2024, the business climate has sharply deteriorated in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 94, the indicator that synthesizes has lost five points and lies below its long-term average (100). This decrease is mainly due to the decline in the balances related to the ordering intentions and to the general business outlook.

Informations rapides
No 180
Paru le :Paru le25/07/2024
Prochaine parution le : 21/11/2024 at 08:45 - November 2024
Warning

The seasonal coefficients as well as the parameters of the composite indicators have been updated in July 2024. That has led to revisions in the set of results previously published from this survey. Moreover, the weighting of the different sub-sectors has been updated as of this same month to reflect their relative weights inside the sector. Those revisions are for the most part quite minor and have no impact on the analysis of the business situation.

In July 2024, the business climate has sharply deteriorated in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 94, the indicator that synthesizes has lost five points and lies below its long-term average (100). This decrease is mainly due to the decline in the balances related to the ordering intentions and to the general business outlook.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2024-07 93.9
2024-06 99.4
2024-05 100.9
2024-04 102.1
2024-03 101.3
2024-02 100.4
2024-01 104.0
2023-12 99.8
2023-11 97.1
2023-10 98.3
2023-09 102.6
2023-08 103.1
2023-07 104.3
2023-06 101.3
2023-05 98.0
2023-04 100.6
2023-03 97.9
2023-02 101.3
2023-01 99.8
2022-12 99.4
2022-11 96.8
2022-10 97.9
2022-09 96.5
2022-08 97.5
2022-07 94.5
2022-06 94.1
2022-05 95.4
2022-04 91.3
2022-03 99.5
2022-02 107.0
2022-01 104.6
2021-12 107.6
2021-11 109.0
2021-10 106.7
2021-09 108.0
2021-08 108.7
2021-07 113.9
2021-06 115.4
2021-05 108.1
2021-04 91.8
2021-03 96.6
2021-02 90.0
2021-01 94.1
2020-12 93.7
2020-11 70.8
2020-10 98.4
2020-09 98.1
2020-08 94.5
2020-07 90.1
2020-06 85.5
2020-05 61.0
2020-04 58.0
2020-03 93.2
2020-02 107.5
2020-01 106.7
2019-12 109.0
2019-11 106.8
2019-10 106.6
2019-09 107.2
2019-08 100.3
2019-07 106.5
2019-06 103.9
2019-05 105.1
2019-04 108.2
2019-03 104.5
2019-02 103.2
2019-01 101.4
2018-12 99.6
2018-11 107.1
2018-10 107.2
2018-09 110.3
2018-08 113.6
2018-07 114.6
2018-06 113.2
2018-05 113.4
2018-04 113.8
2018-03 113.9
2018-02 116.8
2018-01 116.8
2017-12 116.5
2017-11 116.2
2017-10 117.0
2017-09 113.6
2017-08 111.3
2017-07 112.1
2017-06 111.3
2017-05 107.1
2017-04 105.8
2017-03 108.1
2017-02 107.9
2017-01 109.2
2016-12 108.5
2016-11 103.2
2016-10 102.0
2016-09 103.0
2016-08 104.8
2016-07 104.6
2016-06 104.2
2016-05 106.3
2016-04 103.0
2016-03 104.1
2016-02 102.6
2016-01 104.3
2015-12 101.7
2015-11 105.3
2015-10 108.6
2015-09 106.2
2015-08 106.9
2015-07 103.3
2015-06 104.5
2015-05 103.3
2015-04 103.4
2015-03 102.4
2015-02 102.4
2015-01 99.0
2014-12 94.4
2014-11 92.8
2014-10 89.2
2014-09 88.3
2014-08 90.5
2014-07 96.8
2014-06 94.6
2014-05 96.4
2014-04 96.5
2014-03 95.4
2014-02 94.6
2014-01 95.2
2013-12 93.9
2013-11 92.0
2013-10 95.4
2013-09 97.8
2013-08 93.4
2013-07 85.1
2013-06 85.0
2013-05 83.4
2013-04 84.4
2013-03 86.4
2013-02 89.6
2013-01 84.7
2012-12 87.9
2012-11 88.2
2012-10 87.3
2012-09 85.7
2012-08 91.0
2012-07 89.3
2012-06 93.1
2012-05 90.9
2012-04 96.0
2012-03 93.3
2012-02 90.6
2012-01 88.0
2011-12 92.9
2011-11 93.9
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 93.9
2011-08 98.3
2011-07 101.3
2011-06 102.0
2011-05 104.0
2011-04 103.2
2011-03 103.8
2011-02 106.7
2011-01 106.9
2010-12 108.0
2010-11 104.4
2010-10 107.8
2010-09 106.1
2010-08 106.5
2010-07 101.1
2010-06 101.3
2010-05 101.9
2010-04 103.3
2010-03 97.8
2010-02 98.7
2010-01 98.2
2009-12 96.5
2009-11 98.3
2009-10 92.7
2009-09 90.3
2009-08 87.3
2009-07 86.0
2009-06 79.3
2009-05 80.3
2009-04 75.2
2009-03 82.7
2009-02 78.2
2009-01 77.2
2008-12 76.0
2008-11 84.2
2008-10 80.4
2008-09 96.7
2008-08 93.0
2008-07 95.4
2008-06 99.7
2008-05 103.4
2008-04 103.6
2008-03 109.9
2008-02 109.0
2008-01 110.3
2007-12 114.9
2007-11 112.9
2007-10 111.6
2007-09 112.0
2007-08 115.4
2007-07 117.5
2007-06 120.9
2007-05 114.8
2007-04 113.6
2007-03 111.3
2007-02 112.7
2007-01 107.8
2006-12 108.5
2006-11 111.0
2006-10 111.8
2006-09 110.4
2006-08 109.8
2006-07 108.2
2006-06 107.7
2006-05 105.4
2006-04 103.7
2006-03 102.3
2006-02 102.7
2006-01 103.1
2005-12 104.2
2005-11 99.7
2005-10 101.9
2005-09 99.3
2005-08 97.9
2005-07 95.9
2005-06 98.0
2005-05 101.4
2005-04 103.7
2005-03 104.3
2005-02 103.8
2005-01 106.1

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE

The balance of opinion related to the ordering intentions has diminished strongly

In July 2024, the balance related to the ordering intentions has diminished strongly, while it has been stable, at its long-term average, since last February. The one on the general business outlook has sharply diminished again, at a level unobserved since November 2020, and has moved below its own. The balances on the past and expected sales have continued to decline, both moving away from their average.

Besides, the balances of opinion associated with the expected and recent changes in the workforce size are almost stable, below their average.

The balance associated with the current level of stocks has diminished again and lies just above its average. The bimonthly balance on the cash position has deteriorated again in July and has moved away from its own.

Finally, the business managers are a lot more numerous than the previous month to consider that the evolution of their business situation is difficult to forecast.

Tendency in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.
Tendency in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles (Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.)
Ave. (1) Apr. 24 May 24 June 24 July 24
Business climate 100 102 101 99 94
General business outlook -27 -19 -19 -24 -31
Recent sales -9 -5 -10 -15 -18
Expected sales -4 -11 -4 -7 -14
Ordering intentions -9 -8 -9 -9 -16
Stocks 10 15 17 13 11
Past selling prices (2) -3 - 1 - 1
Expected selling prices 0 -2 1 0 1
Cash position (2) -15 - -22 - -25
Past workforce size -1 -11 -4 -8 -7
Expected workforce size -4 -4 -9 -8 -8
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 38 31 36 33 38
  • (1) Average since 1991 (except 2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions, and April 2021 for uncertainty felt).
  • (2) Bimonthly question (odd-numbered months).
  • (3) Non-seasonally adjusted balance.
  • Source: INSEE - monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Recent sales and ordering intentions

Recent sales and ordering intentions
Ordering intentions Recent sales
2024-07 -16.0 -18.0
2024-06 -8.6 -15.3
2024-05 -9.2 -10.4
2024-04 -8.1 -5.3
2024-03 -8.4 -9.8
2024-02 -7.6 -13.5
2024-01 -6.4 -0.9
2023-12 -12.4 -11.9
2023-11 -14.8 -14.5
2023-10 -12.4 -5.4
2023-09 -8.3 1.0
2023-08 -10.9 6.0
2023-07 -8.5 -1.3
2023-06 -8.8 -8.1
2023-05 -13.6 -5.6
2023-04 -10.3 -1.1
2023-03 -14.5 -4.6
2023-02 -9.1 -1.4
2023-01 -12.0 5.9
2022-12 -9.5 -0.7
2022-11 -15.4 2.0
2022-10 -9.9 -3.1
2022-09 -14.6 -5.6
2022-08 -10.5 -12.7
2022-07 -10.6 -20.3
2022-06 -13.0 -15.6
2022-05 -12.4 -13.0
2022-04 -17.8 -18.4
2022-03 -4.6 -11.3
2022-02 -2.0 -7.3
2022-01 -3.5 -5.0
2021-12 -1.1 -5.7
2021-11 -0.5 -11.3
2021-10 -5.1 -18.1
2021-09 -2.5 -11.8
2021-08 0.0 10.7
2021-07 3.5 0.5
2021-06 0.8 -1.5
2021-05 -5.1 -10.8
2021-04 -14.3 -7.1
2021-03 -8.1 -15.3
2021-02 -14.5 -14.3
2021-01 -13.5 -5.4
2020-12 -11.1 -21.4
2020-11 -36.8 7.6
2020-10 -0.5 -2.6
2020-09 -6.2 6.0
2020-08 -8.5 -10.2
2020-07 -7.8 -41.8
2020-06 -13.6 -47.8
2020-05 -44.9 -56.3
2020-04 -54.6 -3.9
2020-03 -12.4 -3.6
2020-02 -0.1 1.3
2020-01 -3.2 10.8
2019-12 1.2 -1.4
2019-11 -1.2 -5.8
2019-10 -3.2 -6.6
2019-09 -3.0 0.4
2019-08 -13.3 -5.2
2019-07 -2.6 -3.7
2019-06 -7.6 -9.1
2019-05 -4.4 -10.9
2019-04 2.3 -12.9
2019-03 -2.7 -17.4
2019-02 -5.9 -10.3
2019-01 -7.0 -9.4
2018-12 -6.0 -8.9
2018-11 -0.9 -6.7
2018-10 -2.4 -8.3
2018-09 1.9 1.9
2018-08 7.7 0.3
2018-07 6.6 -2.1
2018-06 5.6 -8.7
2018-05 4.4 -6.8
2018-04 3.8 -9.9
2018-03 1.8 -7.9
2018-02 4.2 4.7
2018-01 5.5 1.6
2017-12 5.4 1.5
2017-11 7.6 -4.9
2017-10 9.8 -0.5
2017-09 2.3 -1.6
2017-08 -0.8 -1.0
2017-07 -1.4 5.5
2017-06 -1.0 -5.9
2017-05 -3.2 -5.5
2017-04 -3.5 -11.9
2017-03 0.2 -1.8
2017-02 -0.4 4.2
2017-01 1.5 1.0
2016-12 -0.1 -1.2
2016-11 -9.2 -6.3
2016-10 -8.2 -10.7
2016-09 -6.1 -10.5
2016-08 -3.9 -4.1
2016-07 -5.1 -5.1
2016-06 -3.7 -4.0
2016-05 -3.8 4.8
2016-04 -8.7 1.5
2016-03 -3.5 -5.2
2016-02 -6.8 -9.2
2016-01 -6.1 -4.9
2015-12 -5.2 -15.3
2015-11 -3.5 3.0
2015-10 0.3 4.4
2015-09 -2.6 1.6
2015-08 -1.5 8.0
2015-07 -6.3 -0.6
2015-06 -1.3 -8.3
2015-05 -3.0 -4.4
2015-04 -2.2 -2.6
2015-03 -3.3 -5.4
2015-02 -1.9 -4.3
2015-01 -4.9 -8.6
2014-12 -12.7 -10.2
2014-11 -13.6 -14.7
2014-10 -16.8 -23.7
2014-09 -18.4 -30.6
2014-08 -17.3 -19.8
2014-07 -10.3 -5.9
2014-06 -13.8 -11.9
2014-05 -11.3 -14.8
2014-04 -9.6 -21.3
2014-03 -11.1 -16.9
2014-02 -13.3 -13.1
2014-01 -12.7 -10.7
2013-12 -15.2 -10.6
2013-11 -13.5 -12.9
2013-10 -13.4 -11.5
2013-09 -7.5 -12.8
2013-08 -13.4 -18.3
2013-07 -23.1 -26.0
2013-06 -19.4 -24.4
2013-05 -21.7 -29.8
2013-04 -19.6 -31.8
2013-03 -17.1 -25.9
2013-02 -14.0 -27.2
2013-01 -25.5 -17.3
2012-12 -17.7 -21.2
2012-11 -18.5 -16.4
2012-10 -19.3 -23.0
2012-09 -21.7 -23.8
2012-08 -15.1 -8.3
2012-07 -15.4 -19.5
2012-06 -12.9 -18.3
2012-05 -16.8 -14.8
2012-04 -13.7 -8.1
2012-03 -16.0 -12.3
2012-02 -15.4 -15.4
2012-01 -19.9 -20.3
2011-12 -13.9 -17.5
2011-11 -12.6 -13.0
2011-10 -13.5 -15.7
2011-09 -13.1 -17.4
2011-08 -11.3 -6.5
2011-07 -11.6 -9.4
2011-06 -11.4 0.1
2011-05 -7.9 3.6
2011-04 -7.2 1.7
2011-03 -5.8 -6.4
2011-02 -2.4 1.6
2011-01 -1.8 4.3
2010-12 -1.3 4.1
2010-11 -4.9 -8.0
2010-10 1.3 -3.9
2010-09 -2.3 -1.8
2010-08 -1.6 4.0
2010-07 -7.9 -5.3
2010-06 -4.7 -1.0
2010-05 -7.0 2.1
2010-04 -4.5 -2.7
2010-03 -10.0 -20.1
2010-02 -9.9 -13.0
2010-01 -13.4 -4.7

Recent sales and ordering intentions

  • Source: INSEE

The balances of opinion on the expected and past prices are almost stable

In July 2024, the balances of opinion on the expected and past selling prices are almost stable and remain slightly above their long-term average.

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles
Expected prices
2024-07 1.5
2024-06 0.4
2024-05 1.1
2024-04 -1.8
2024-03 5.2
2024-02 7.9
2024-01 3.9
2023-12 9.8
2023-11 9.3
2023-10 14.1
2023-09 12.8
2023-08 13.2
2023-07 13.9
2023-06 17.3
2023-05 26.3
2023-04 37.0
2023-03 47.2
2023-02 46.0
2023-01 41.8
2022-12 38.1
2022-11 39.7
2022-10 45.2
2022-09 39.6
2022-08 41.8
2022-07 40.1
2022-06 40.1
2022-05 41.3
2022-04 36.1
2022-03 38.1
2022-02 36.3
2022-01 26.5
2021-12 25.5
2021-11 27.4
2021-10 24.1
2021-09 14.0
2021-08 13.9
2021-07 13.0
2021-06 9.2
2021-05 3.7
2021-04 0.5
2021-03 2.1
2021-02 0.0
2021-01 0.5
2020-12 -3.4
2020-11 -3.0
2020-10 3.3
2020-09 0.0
2020-08 -0.5
2020-07 -3.0
2020-06 -4.2
2020-05 -8.1
2020-04 -8.1
2020-03 -1.2
2020-02 2.4
2020-01 -0.1
2019-12 3.4
2019-11 2.2
2019-10 4.4
2019-09 1.0
2019-08 -1.3
2019-07 -1.4
2019-06 -3.8
2019-05 -0.7
2019-04 2.4
2019-03 1.0
2019-02 0.7
2019-01 -2.9
2018-12 4.4
2018-11 -0.9
2018-10 -0.2
2018-09 -0.3
2018-08 -1.8
2018-07 0.5
2018-06 -3.6
2018-05 -2.2
2018-04 -2.8
2018-03 -3.3
2018-02 1.3
2018-01 -3.6
2017-12 -1.5
2017-11 1.6
2017-10 4.0
2017-09 -2.0
2017-08 -0.4
2017-07 -2.5
2017-06 -2.1
2017-05 -7.4
2017-04 -4.2
2017-03 -1.1
2017-02 -4.1
2017-01 0.2
2016-12 -0.7
2016-11 -1.2
2016-10 -7.3
2016-09 -6.5
2016-08 -4.2
2016-07 -4.5
2016-06 -7.6
2016-05 -4.7
2016-04 -6.4
2016-03 -5.1
2016-02 -6.6
2016-01 -8.3
2015-12 -7.5
2015-11 -2.8
2015-10 -3.0
2015-09 -7.2
2015-08 -7.8
2015-07 -5.6
2015-06 -3.1
2015-05 -7.4
2015-04 -5.3
2015-03 -9.3
2015-02 -10.0
2015-01 -11.7
2014-12 -11.4
2014-11 -11.8
2014-10 -13.8
2014-09 -14.0
2014-08 -12.2
2014-07 -9.7
2014-06 -13.9
2014-05 -14.2
2014-04 -16.4
2014-03 -12.7
2014-02 -10.3
2014-01 -2.4
2013-12 -1.0
2013-11 -3.6
2013-10 -2.9
2013-09 -0.5
2013-08 -3.5
2013-07 -1.6
2013-06 -6.9
2013-05 -0.7
2013-04 -13.8
2013-03 -1.6
2013-02 -8.2
2013-01 -6.3
2012-12 -1.6
2012-11 -5.0
2012-10 -4.8
2012-09 -0.9
2012-08 -3.6
2012-07 -1.8
2012-06 -2.0
2012-05 -1.6
2012-04 -1.2
2012-03 3.7
2012-02 3.7
2012-01 5.1
2011-12 7.1
2011-11 4.8
2011-10 3.3
2011-09 3.3
2011-08 5.2
2011-07 4.8
2011-06 5.2
2011-05 9.7
2011-04 9.0
2011-03 7.6
2011-02 5.8
2011-01 2.5
2010-12 -1.4
2010-11 -0.2
2010-10 0.8
2010-09 -1.7
2010-08 -5.0
2010-07 -3.6
2010-06 -0.8
2010-05 -3.4
2010-04 -4.2
2010-03 -4.3
2010-02 -5.0
2010-01 -5.7
2009-12 -5.7
2009-11 -9.3
2009-10 -8.0
2009-09 -4.9
2009-08 -11.4
2009-07 -5.7
2009-06 -16.4
2009-05 -17.4
2009-04 -18.3
2009-03 -30.6
2009-02 -17.4
2009-01 -17.8
2008-12 -20.4
2008-11 -26.8
2008-10 -6.3
2008-09 -15.4
2008-08 4.6
2008-07 6.0
2008-06 3.8
2008-05 1.9
2008-04 1.5
2008-03 8.1
2008-02 1.5
2008-01 5.4
2007-12 3.1
2007-11 14.5
2007-10 0.0
2007-09 7.8
2007-08 0.7
2007-07 -6.0
2007-06 -5.0
2007-05 -1.7
2007-04 -8.9
2007-03 -5.8
2007-02 -1.7
2007-01 -6.2

Expected prices in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

  • Source: INSEE

The declines of the balances of opinion on the ordering intentions and the general business outlook are more pronounced in trade and repair of motor vehicles

The balance associated with the ordering intentions has declined a bit more sharply in trade and repair of motor vehicles, where it has moved away from its average, than in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles). The same applies more markedly for the general business outlook.

The balances on the past sales have diminished again in both sub-sectors and have moved away from their average. The one on the expected sales has diminished more sharply in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), and has moved away from its average in both sub-sectors.

Finally, the balance on the cash position is stable in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) while it has deteriorated again in trade and repair of motor vehicles. Both balances lie below their average.

Balances of opinion by sub-sector in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles

Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.
Balances of opinion by sub-sector in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles (Balances of opinion, in %, S.A.)
Ave. (1) Apr. 24 May 24 June 24 July 24
Retail trade
General business outlook -28 -19 -19 -25 -30
Recent sales -8 -3 -14 -17 -21
Expected sales -2 -8 -1 -4 -13
Ordering intentions -9 -6 -7 -7 -14
Stocks 10 15 15 11 9
Past selling prices (2) -5 - 4 - 5
Expected selling prices -2 1 3 1 3
Cash position (2) -14 - -23 - -23
Past workforce size 0 -12 -4 -9 -8
Expected workforce size -4 -6 -12 -9 -10
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 32 36 33 41
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
General business outlook -25 -19 -20 -19 -32
Recent sales -9 -9 -2 -11 -14
Expected sales -8 -16 -11 -12 -14
Ordering intentions -10 -13 -13 -11 -20
Stocks 12 15 21 16 14
Past selling prices (2) 5 - -5 - -8
Expected selling prices 7 -9 -4 -2 0
Cash position (2) -21 - -21 - -29
Past workforce size -7 -7 -5 -4 -2
Expected workforce size -5 1 3 -1 -3
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 42 31 37 33 34
  • (1) Average since 1991 for retail trade and 2003 for trade and repair of motor vehicles (except 2004 for recent and expected sales and ordering intentions, and April 2021 for uncertainty felt).
  • (2) Bimonthly question (odd-numbered months).
  • (3) Non-seasonally adjusted balance.
  • Source: INSEE - monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Revisions

The business climate for June 2024 in retail trade (including trade and repair of motor vehicles) has been revised downwards by one point (after rounding). This revision is mainly due to the inclusion of late responses from companies and the update of the seasonal coefficients and the parameters of the composite indicators.

For more information

The whole sector “retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles” is composed for 66% of retail trade and for 34% of trade and repair of motor vehicles.

For the three-modality questions, a balance of opinion is the difference between weighted percentage of “increase” or “above normal” answers and weighted percentage of “decrease” or “below normal” answers.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Company responses were collected between 27 June and 22 July 2024; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

Next issue: 23 August 2024 at 8:45 am.

Pour en savoir plus

: bureau-de-presse@insee.fr
: