Insee Première · June 2026 · n° 2111

Business accelerated in the retail sector, while activity contracted again in the wholesale sector and in the automotive trade and repair sector

In 2025, in France, sales in the trade sectors showed mixed trends against a backdrop of an economic slowdown. In the wholesale sector, sales fell again, although at a slower pace than in 2024. This was particularly the case for wholesalers of fuels and construction products, while sales by wholesalers of raw agricultural products recovered. In-store retail sales ramped up supported by a renewed slowdown in price increase. Out-of-store retail sales rose at the same pace as in 2024. In the automotive trade and repair sector, turnover continued to decline, although the contraction was less pronounced than in the previous year.

Salaried employment fell more sharply in the retail sector than in the commercial services sector as a whole. Meanwhile, business start‑ups rose, driven in particular by micro‑entrepreneurs and sole proprietors engaged in door‑to‑door sales, while business insolvencies levelled off.