Informations Rapides ·
22 May 2025 · n° 128
In May 2025, the business climate has partially rebounded in retail trade and in trade
and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - May 2025
In May 2025, the business climate has partially rebounded in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 98, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained three points, after losing five points last month, and remains below its long-term average (100). This rise is mainly due to the increase in the balances related to the general business outlook and the expected change in the workforce size.
In May 2025, the business climate has partially rebounded in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 98, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained three points, after losing five points last month, and remains below its long-term average (100). This rise is mainly due to the increase in the balances related to the general business outlook and the expected change in the workforce size.
tableauComposite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator | |
---|---|
2025-05 | 97.7 |
2025-04 | 95.1 |
2025-03 | 100.0 |
2025-02 | 97.2 |
2025-01 | 96.8 |
2024-12 | 96.6 |
2024-11 | 98.4 |
2024-10 | 99.3 |
2024-09 | 100.1 |
2024-08 | 97.3 |
2024-07 | 94.1 |
2024-06 | 99.4 |
2024-05 | 100.9 |
2024-04 | 102.2 |
2024-03 | 101.4 |
2024-02 | 100.5 |
2024-01 | 104.1 |
2023-12 | 99.9 |
2023-11 | 97.1 |
2023-10 | 98.4 |
2023-09 | 102.7 |
2023-08 | 103.2 |
2023-07 | 104.4 |
2023-06 | 101.4 |
2023-05 | 98.0 |
2023-04 | 100.7 |
2023-03 | 98.0 |
2023-02 | 101.3 |
2023-01 | 99.9 |
2022-12 | 99.4 |
2022-11 | 96.8 |
2022-10 | 98.0 |
2022-09 | 96.5 |
2022-08 | 97.6 |
2022-07 | 94.5 |
2022-06 | 94.1 |
2022-05 | 95.4 |
2022-04 | 91.3 |
2022-03 | 99.6 |
2022-02 | 107.1 |
2022-01 | 104.8 |
2021-12 | 107.7 |
2021-11 | 109.2 |
2021-10 | 106.8 |
2021-09 | 108.1 |
2021-08 | 108.8 |
2021-07 | 114.2 |
2021-06 | 115.7 |
2021-05 | 108.3 |
2021-04 | 91.8 |
2021-03 | 96.7 |
2021-02 | 89.9 |
2021-01 | 94.0 |
2020-12 | 93.7 |
2020-11 | 70.5 |
2020-10 | 98.4 |
2020-09 | 98.1 |
2020-08 | 94.5 |
2020-07 | 90.0 |
2020-06 | 85.4 |
2020-05 | 60.6 |
2020-04 | 57.5 |
2020-03 | 93.2 |
2020-02 | 107.7 |
2020-01 | 106.8 |
2019-12 | 109.2 |
2019-11 | 107.0 |
2019-10 | 106.7 |
2019-09 | 107.3 |
2019-08 | 100.4 |
2019-07 | 106.6 |
2019-06 | 104.1 |
2019-05 | 105.2 |
2019-04 | 108.4 |
2019-03 | 104.6 |
2019-02 | 103.3 |
2019-01 | 101.5 |
2018-12 | 99.7 |
2018-11 | 107.2 |
2018-10 | 107.3 |
2018-09 | 110.4 |
2018-08 | 113.8 |
2018-07 | 114.9 |
2018-06 | 113.4 |
2018-05 | 113.6 |
2018-04 | 114.0 |
2018-03 | 114.1 |
2018-02 | 117.0 |
2018-01 | 117.1 |
2017-12 | 116.8 |
2017-11 | 116.4 |
2017-10 | 117.3 |
2017-09 | 113.8 |
2017-08 | 111.4 |
2017-07 | 112.3 |
2017-06 | 111.5 |
2017-05 | 107.3 |
2017-04 | 105.9 |
2017-03 | 108.3 |
2017-02 | 108.0 |
2017-01 | 109.3 |
2016-12 | 108.6 |
2016-11 | 103.3 |
2016-10 | 102.1 |
2016-09 | 103.1 |
2016-08 | 104.9 |
2016-07 | 104.7 |
2016-06 | 104.3 |
2016-05 | 106.5 |
2016-04 | 103.1 |
2016-03 | 104.2 |
2016-02 | 102.7 |
2016-01 | 104.4 |
2015-12 | 101.8 |
2015-11 | 105.5 |
2015-10 | 108.8 |
2015-09 | 106.3 |
2015-08 | 107.1 |
2015-07 | 103.4 |
2015-06 | 104.6 |
2015-05 | 103.4 |
2015-04 | 103.5 |
2015-03 | 102.5 |
2015-02 | 102.5 |
2015-01 | 99.1 |
2014-12 | 94.4 |
2014-11 | 92.8 |
2014-10 | 89.1 |
2014-09 | 88.3 |
2014-08 | 90.4 |
2014-07 | 96.9 |
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 | 97.9 |
2013-08 | 93.4 |
2013-07 | 85.0 |
2013-06 | 84.9 |
2013-05 | 83.2 |
2013-04 | 84.3 |
2013-03 | 86.3 |
2013-02 | 89.6 |
2013-01 | 84.6 |
2012-12 | 87.8 |
2012-11 | 88.1 |
2012-10 | 87.2 |
2012-09 | 85.6 |
2012-08 | 91.0 |
2012-07 | 89.2 |
2012-06 | 93.1 |
2012-05 | 90.8 |
2012-04 | 96.0 |
2012-03 | 93.2 |
2012-02 | 90.6 |
2012-01 | 87.9 |
2011-12 | 92.9 |
2011-11 | 93.9 |
2011-10 | 94.6 |
2011-09 | 93.9 |
2011-08 | 98.3 |
2011-07 | 101.4 |
2011-06 | 102.1 |
2011-05 | 104.1 |
2011-04 | 103.3 |
2011-03 | 103.9 |
2011-02 | 106.8 |
2011-01 | 107.0 |
2010-12 | 108.2 |
2010-11 | 104.5 |
2010-10 | 107.9 |
2010-09 | 106.2 |
2010-08 | 106.6 |
2010-07 | 101.2 |
2010-06 | 101.3 |
2010-05 | 102.0 |
2010-04 | 103.4 |
2010-03 | 97.9 |
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 | 87.2 |
2009-07 | 85.9 |
2009-06 | 79.2 |
2009-05 | 80.1 |
2009-04 | 75.0 |
2009-03 | 82.5 |
2009-02 | 78.0 |
2009-01 | 77.0 |
2008-12 | 75.7 |
2008-11 | 84.1 |
2008-10 | 80.3 |
2008-09 | 96.7 |
2008-08 | 93.0 |
2008-07 | 95.4 |
2008-06 | 99.7 |
2008-05 | 103.5 |
2008-04 | 103.7 |
2008-03 | 110.1 |
2008-02 | 109.2 |
2008-01 | 110.5 |
2007-12 | 115.1 |
2007-11 | 113.1 |
2007-10 | 111.8 |
2007-09 | 112.1 |
2007-08 | 115.6 |
2007-07 | 117.7 |
2007-06 | 121.2 |
2007-05 | 115.0 |
2007-04 | 113.8 |
2007-03 | 111.5 |
2007-02 | 112.9 |
2007-01 | 108.0 |
2006-12 | 108.7 |
2006-11 | 111.2 |
2006-10 | 112.0 |
2006-09 | 110.6 |
2006-08 | 110.0 |
2006-07 | 108.3 |
2006-06 | 107.9 |
2006-05 | 105.5 |
2006-04 | 103.8 |
2006-03 | 102.4 |
2006-02 | 102.8 |
2006-01 | 103.2 |
2005-12 | 104.3 |
2005-11 | 99.7 |
2005-10 | 102.0 |
2005-09 | 99.4 |
2005-08 | 97.9 |
2005-07 | 95.9 |
2005-06 | 98.1 |
2005-05 | 101.4 |
2005-04 | 103.8 |
2005-03 | 104.4 |
2005-02 | 103.9 |
2005-01 | 106.2 |
graphiqueComposite indicator

- Source: INSEE.
The balances of opinion related to the general business outlook and to the expected change in the workforce size have rebounded
In May 2025, the balance related to the general business outlook has rebounded and has moved above its long-term average. The balance on the ordering intentions has diminished again and has moved away from its own. The balance on the past sales has sharply rebounded and has moved closer to its long-term average. The one on the expected sales has slightly increased and has moved also closer to its own.
The balances of opinion associated with the expected and past changes in the workforce size have rebounded, sharply for the former, and have moved closer to their long-term average.
The bimonthly balance on the cash position has increased a little after two two-month periods in a row of decrease and has moved closer to its long-term average.
The balance associated with the current level of stocks has decreased again and has moved closer to its average.
The balance of opinion on the expected selling prices has diminished and has moved closer to its average. The bimonthly one on the past selling prices has retreated and has reached its average.
Lastly, the balance on the felt economic uncertainty is stable.
tableauTendency in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles
Ave. (1) | Feb. 25 | Mar. 25 | Apr. 25 | May 25 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business climate | 100 | 97 | 100 | 95 | 98 |
General business outlook | -27 | -27 | -22 | -29 | -26 |
Recent sales | -9 | -21 | -16 | -21 | -15 |
Expected sales | -4 | -9 | -7 | -11 | -10 |
Ordering intentions | -9 | -10 | -7 | -11 | -12 |
Stocks | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Past selling prices (2) | -3 | - | 2 | - | -3 |
Expected selling prices | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Cash position (2) | -15 | - | -23 | - | -21 |
Past workforce size | -1 | -9 | -9 | -11 | -8 |
Expected workforce size | -4 | -8 | -11 | -12 | -6 |
Economic uncertainty felt (3) | 37 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 36 |
- (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.
tableauRecent sales and ordering intentions
Ordering intentions | Recent sales | |
---|---|---|
2025-05 | -11.5 | -15.1 |
2025-04 | -11.2 | -21.2 |
2025-03 | -6.6 | -15.6 |
2025-02 | -10.1 | -20.5 |
2025-01 | -13.5 | -8.1 |
2024-12 | -10.8 | -14.1 |
2024-11 | -12.7 | -7.3 |
2024-10 | -10.1 | -12.6 |
2024-09 | -11.3 | -9.3 |
2024-08 | -11.9 | -15.1 |
2024-07 | -15.4 | -18.2 |
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 |
graphiqueRecent sales and ordering intentions

- Source: INSEE.
The general business outlook has improved more in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) than in trade and repair of motor vehicles
In May 2025, the balance associated with the general business outlook has sharply rebounded in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has moved above its average. In trade and repair of motor vehicles, it has slightly rebounded but remains below its own.
The balance associated with the past sales has strongly rebounded in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) where it has reached its average, while it has diminished again sharply in trade and repair of motor vehicles, where it has moved away from its own.
The balance associated with the expected change in the workforce size has strongly rebounded in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has moved closer to its average. In trade and repair of motor vehicles, it has increased again and has moved away from its own.
tableauBalances of opinion by sub-sector in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles
Ave. (1) | Feb. 25 | Mar. 25 | Apr. 25 | May 25 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Retail trade | |||||
General business outlook | -28 | -27 | -21 | -28 | -24 |
Recent sales | -8 | -18 | -15 | -19 | -8 |
Expected sales | -2 | -7 | -2 | -7 | -2 |
Ordering intentions | -9 | -5 | -1 | -8 | -5 |
Stocks | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Past selling prices (2) | -5 | - | 6 | - | 0 |
Expected selling prices | -2 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
Cash position (2) | -14 | - | -23 | - | -20 |
Past workforce size | 0 | -12 | -10 | -12 | -10 |
Expected workforce size | -4 | -9 | -13 | -15 | -7 |
Economic uncertainty felt (3) | 35 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 35 |
Trade and repair of motor vehicles | |||||
General business outlook | -25 | -29 | -24 | -33 | -32 |
Recent sales | -10 | -25 | -16 | -25 | -29 |
Expected sales | -8 | -15 | -18 | -20 | -24 |
Ordering intentions | -11 | -20 | -17 | -18 | -23 |
Stocks | 12 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 |
Past selling prices (2) | 4 | - | -4 | - | -7 |
Expected selling prices | 6 | -8 | -8 | -5 | -3 |
Cash position (2) | -21 | - | -22 | - | -23 |
Past workforce size | -7 | 0 | -6 | -5 | -2 |
Expected workforce size | -5 | -4 | -6 | -4 | -1 |
Economic uncertainty felt (3) | 40 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 38 |
- (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 April 2025 in retail trade (including trade and repair of motor vehicles) has not been revised (after rounding).
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.
The responses of this survey were collected between 28 April and 19 May 2025; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.
Next issue: 20 June 2025 at 8:45 am.
Documentation
Changes to business tendency surveys – October 2021 (pdf,181 Ko)
Abbreviated methodology (pdf,137 Ko)