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Informations Rapides · 24 September 2026 · n° 236
Informations rapidesIn September 2026, the business climate in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles has clearly deteriorated Monthly survey of retailing - September 2026

In September 2026, the business climate has clearly deteriorated in the whole sector comprising retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles. At 94, the synthetic indicator has lost five points and has moved away from its long-term average (100). This deterioration mainly results from the fall in the balance related to ordering intentions and, to a lesser extent, from the declines in the balances related to general business outlook and past sales. The business climate has sharply fallen back in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles).

Informations rapides
No 236
Paru le :Paru le24/09/2026
Prochaine parution le : 22/10/2026 at 08:45 - October 2026
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In September 2026, the business climate has clearly deteriorated in the whole sector comprising retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles. At 94, the synthetic indicator has lost five points and has moved away from its long-term average (100). This deterioration mainly results from the fall in the balance related to ordering intentions and, to a lesser extent, from the declines in the balances related to general business outlook and past sales. The business climate has sharply fallen back in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles).

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2026-09 94.4
2026-08 98.6
2026-07 96.4
2026-06 90.6
2026-05 89.0
2026-04 92.6
2026-03 98.1
2026-02 97.9
2026-01 98.7
2025-12 101.1
2025-11 97.1
2025-10 98.4
2025-09 92.8
2025-08 95.0
2025-07 99.1
2025-06 98.9
2025-05 97.6
2025-04 96.8
2025-03 100.8
2025-02 97.6
2025-01 97.6
2024-12 97.7
2024-11 99.7
2024-10 100.3
2024-09 100.0
2024-08 99.1
2024-07 94.5
2024-06 100.9
2024-05 102.0
2024-04 103.7
2024-03 101.9
2024-02 100.9
2024-01 105.3
2023-12 99.3
2023-11 98.2
2023-10 99.1
2023-09 103.1
2023-08 104.9
2023-07 105.0
2023-06 101.6
2023-05 98.3
2023-04 102.2
2023-03 98.0
2023-02 101.2
2023-01 100.1
2022-12 100.1
2022-11 96.9
2022-10 98.7
2022-09 95.2
2022-08 98.3
2022-07 95.8
2022-06 94.5
2022-05 95.6
2022-04 91.9
2022-03 101.3
2022-02 107.8
2022-01 106.3
2021-12 108.5
2021-11 109.9
2021-10 107.1
2021-09 109.0
2021-08 111.6
2021-07 116.2
2021-06 118.5
2021-05 110.9
2021-04 95.5
2021-03 99.0
2021-02 90.8
2021-01 94.8
2020-12 95.4
2020-11 71.6
2020-10 102.1
2020-09 100.3
2020-08 97.6
2020-07 93.3
2020-06 89.3
2020-05 62.3
2020-04 59.6
2020-03 96.6
2020-02 109.8
2020-01 109.2
2019-12 110.4
2019-11 109.0
2019-10 107.7
2019-09 108.1
2019-08 101.8
2019-07 107.9
2019-06 105.1
2019-05 106.8
2019-04 110.4
2019-03 106.1
2019-02 103.6
2019-01 102.4
2018-12 100.0
2018-11 107.8
2018-10 108.1
2018-09 111.8
2018-08 117.0
2018-07 115.9
2018-06 114.9
2018-05 115.7
2018-04 115.6
2018-03 115.2
2018-02 117.8
2018-01 119.0
2017-12 117.3
2017-11 117.9
2017-10 119.4
2017-09 115.9
2017-08 108.5
2017-07 114.7
2017-06 111.7
2017-05 108.7
2017-04 107.3
2017-03 108.7
2017-02 108.6
2017-01 110.0
2016-12 110.1
2016-11 103.5
2016-10 102.2
2016-09 103.9
2016-08 105.7
2016-07 105.3
2016-06 105.7
2016-05 107.8
2016-04 103.6
2016-03 105.8
2016-02 103.6
2016-01 105.0
2015-12 102.9
2015-11 107.4
2015-10 110.2
2015-09 107.6
2015-08 108.8
2015-07 104.3
2015-06 106.5
2015-05 105.2
2015-04 105.6
2015-03 104.0
2015-02 104.5
2015-01 101.2
2014-12 95.2
2014-11 93.6
2014-10 89.8
2014-09 88.5
2014-08 90.6
2014-07 97.8
2014-06 95.1
2014-05 96.7
2014-04 96.9
2014-03 96.1
2014-02 95.2
2014-01 95.6
2013-12 94.0
2013-11 93.4
2013-10 95.3
2013-09 99.0
2013-08 93.7
2013-07 84.7
2013-06 85.5
2013-05 83.2
2013-04 84.8
2013-03 87.2
2013-02 90.5
2013-01 83.7
2012-12 88.5
2012-11 88.0
2012-10 86.5
2012-09 85.0
2012-08 91.7
2012-07 90.5
2012-06 93.6
2012-05 91.2
2012-04 96.1
2012-03 93.0
2012-02 91.2
2012-01 87.2
2011-12 92.5
2011-11 94.1
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 94.1
2011-08 98.3
2011-07 101.0
2011-06 102.1
2011-05 104.4
2011-04 103.9
2011-03 104.4
2011-02 107.8
2011-01 108.3
2010-12 109.4
2010-11 105.5
2010-10 109.4
2010-09 107.1
2010-08 107.8
2010-07 101.1
2010-06 102.3
2010-05 102.4
2010-04 104.5
2010-03 97.9
2010-02 99.6
2010-01 98.4
2009-12 97.3
2009-11 100.0
2009-10 94.6
2009-09 92.0
2009-08 89.2
2009-07 88.2
2009-06 80.1
2009-05 81.8
2009-04 74.9
2009-03 85.8
2009-02 77.3
2009-01 76.9
2008-12 74.8
2008-11 85.8
2008-10 78.9
2008-09 98.9
2008-08 92.9
2008-07 94.6
2008-06 99.9
2008-05 104.5
2008-04 103.7
2008-03 112.3
2008-02 109.9
2008-01 110.9
2007-12 116.2
2007-11 112.6
2007-10 112.8
2007-09 111.6
2007-08 116.1
2007-07 119.1
2007-06 122.6
2007-05 116.2
2007-04 114.7
2007-03 112.0
2007-02 114.4
2007-01 108.9
2006-12 109.4
2006-11 112.3
2006-10 112.2
2006-09 110.9
2006-08 110.1
2006-07 108.3
2006-06 108.1
2006-05 105.2
2006-04 104.6
2006-03 102.6
2006-02 103.9
2006-01 103.6

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE – monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

The balance of opinion related to ordering intentions has clearly fallen back

In September 2026, the balance of opinion related to ordering intentions has clearly fallen back and has moved away from its long-term average. The one related to general business outlook has fallen again and remains below its average. The balances related to past and expected sales have both very slightly fallen and remain below their respective average, the latter remaining below its long-term average since June 2024.

The balance of opinion related to the current level of stocks has fallen and has returned to its long-term average.

The two-monthly balance related to past selling prices has sharply rebounded and stands well above its average, at a level not seen since January 2024. The one related to expected selling prices has been virtually stable for the third month in a row and also remains well above its own.

The two-monthly balance related to the cash position has been virtually stable and remains below its long-term average, where it has stood since January 2023.

The balance related to past workforce size has rebounded and has returned to its July level, but still remains below its average. The one related to expected workforce size has slightly fallen again and also remains below its own.

Lastly, the balance on felt economic uncertainty has increased and has reached its long-term average.

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) June 26 July 26 Aug. 26 Sept. 26
Business climate 100 91 96 99 94
General business outlook -28 -38 -27 -29 -31
Recent sales -9 -16 -15 -13 -14
Expected sales -5 -19 -12 -12 -13
Ordering intentions -9 -19 -14 -10 -15
Stocks 10 12 14 14 10
Past selling prices (2) -3 1 9
Expected selling prices 0 11 10 10 11
Cash position (2) -15 -22 -23
Past workforce size -1 -8 -7 -10 -7
Expected workforce size -4 -14 -8 -10 -11
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 36 34 34 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.

Recent sales and ordering intentions

Recent sales and ordering intentions
Ordering intentions Recent sales
2026-09 -15.4 -13.7
2026-08 -9.6 -12.8
2026-07 -13.6 -15.5
2026-06 -18.6 -16.2
2026-05 -20.3 -15.2
2026-04 -14.4 -21.1
2026-03 -9.1 -19.6
2026-02 -12.4 -15.7
2026-01 -10.9 -12.5
2025-12 -6.5 -16.0
2025-11 -13.3 -9.7
2025-10 -9.6 -16.1
2025-09 -16.3 -14.2
2025-08 -16.5 -5.7
2025-07 -9.7 -16.1
2025-06 -10.0 -14.6
2025-05 -11.6 -16.3
2025-04 -11.1 -21.2
2025-03 -7.6 -15.7
2025-02 -10.4 -21.0
2025-01 -13.4 -6.2
2024-12 -12.0 -13.8
2024-11 -11.6 -8.9
2024-10 -10.2 -12.3
2024-09 -11.5 -10.8
2024-08 -10.2 -16.3
2024-07 -15.0 -17.8
2024-06 -8.4 -13.9
2024-05 -8.9 -9.7
2024-04 -7.0 -4.8
2024-03 -8.4 -9.4
2024-02 -8.4 -14.3
2024-01 -6.5 0.8
2023-12 -13.1 -11.9
2023-11 -13.7 -13.9
2023-10 -12.7 -5.4
2023-09 -8.6 -1.4
2023-08 -9.4 3.6
2023-07 -7.7 -2.8
2023-06 -9.7 -8.4
2023-05 -13.8 -6.2
2023-04 -9.1 -1.1
2023-03 -14.0 -4.6
2023-02 -9.3 -2.5
2023-01 -11.4 6.0
2022-12 -9.8 -0.7
2022-11 -14.5 0.5
2022-10 -9.6 -3.6
2022-09 -14.7 -6.8
2022-08 -9.5 -13.4
2022-07 -10.3 -20.2
2022-06 -13.0 -15.7
2022-05 -12.2 -11.9
2022-04 -16.2 -17.1
2022-03 -4.4 -9.2
2022-02 -2.5 -8.0
2022-01 -2.8 -5.2
2021-12 -1.8 -5.3
2021-11 -0.6 -12.9
2021-10 -5.4 -18.6
2021-09 -2.4 -13.6
2021-08 1.0 10.0
2021-07 3.5 0.8
2021-06 2.1 0.9
2021-05 -4.1 -8.3
2021-04 -11.8 -6.5
2021-03 -7.3 -14.5
2021-02 -15.3 -14.2
2021-01 -12.4 -5.8
2020-12 -11.2 -20.6
2020-11 -37.2 7.5
2020-10 -0.4 -3.2
2020-09 -5.9 4.7
2020-08 -6.6 -10.1
2020-07 -6.8 -43.2
2020-06 -12.6 -48.5
2020-05 -44.5 -55.4
2020-04 -53.3 -2.9
2020-03 -11.3 -1.3
2020-02 -0.8 1.3
2020-01 -2.2 11.2
2019-12 0.4 -1.4
2019-11 -1.2 -6.4
2019-10 -3.5 -6.9
2019-09 -3.1 -1.3
2019-08 -11.9 -4.9
2019-07 -2.2 -3.5
2019-06 -6.7 -7.9
2019-05 -2.9 -8.2
2019-04 3.3 -12.5
2019-03 -2.0 -16.3
2019-02 -6.1 -10.2
2019-01 -6.1 -9.1
2018-12 -5.9 -7.5
2018-11 -0.6 -6.2
2018-10 -2.2 -6.6
2018-09 2.6 2.6
2018-08 9.0 2.0
2018-07 7.0 -0.4
2018-06 5.9 -6.2
2018-05 5.2 -4.5
2018-04 4.9 -7.8
2018-03 2.6 -5.5
2018-02 4.2 6.1
2018-01 6.2 3.3
2017-12 5.0 0.8
2017-11 8.0 -6.3
2017-10 9.9 -1.5
2017-09 4.6 -3.0
2017-08 -6.1 -1.3
2017-07 2.0 6.2
2017-06 -0.6 -5.7
2017-05 -1.5 -4.8
2017-04 -1.8 -12.7
2017-03 -0.2 -1.4
2017-02 -0.9 4.3
2017-01 0.1 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

Recent sales and ordering intentions

  • Source: INSEE – monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

Expected selling prices

Expected selling prices
Expected prices
2026-09 10.8
2026-08 9.9
2026-07 9.5
2026-06 11.3
2026-05 13.9
2026-04 9.9
2026-03 5.7
2026-02 4.1
2026-01 0.5
2025-12 2.5
2025-11 6.5
2025-10 0.4
2025-09 4.9
2025-08 4.5
2025-07 3.7
2025-06 3.7
2025-05 3.7
2025-04 4.1
2025-03 4.3
2025-02 -0.7
2025-01 0.3
2024-12 -3.3
2024-11 0.4
2024-10 0.1
2024-09 -0.8
2024-08 -1.8
2024-07 2.4
2024-06 0.8
2024-05 2.3
2024-04 -0.2
2024-03 5.5
2024-02 7.5
2024-01 2.2
2023-12 9.0
2023-11 8.3
2023-10 12.9
2023-09 11.9
2023-08 12.7
2023-07 13.9
2023-06 17.7
2023-05 26.4
2023-04 37.6
2023-03 47.3
2023-02 44.6
2023-01 39.6
2022-12 36.7
2022-11 38.7
2022-10 44.1
2022-09 38.0
2022-08 41.0
2022-07 40.1
2022-06 40.6
2022-05 42.6
2022-04 37.4
2022-03 38.5
2022-02 36.0
2022-01 25.1
2021-12 25.2
2021-11 28.0
2021-10 23.7
2021-09 13.7
2021-08 14.4
2021-07 14.4
2021-06 10.4
2021-05 5.1
2021-04 2.4
2021-03 3.5
2021-02 -0.2
2021-01 0.6
2020-12 -2.8
2020-11 -2.9
2020-10 3.5
2020-09 -0.1
2020-08 0.7
2020-07 -1.7
2020-06 -3.7
2020-05 -7.0
2020-04 -6.6
2020-03 -0.6
2020-02 1.9
2020-01 -0.4
2019-12 3.1
2019-11 2.1
2019-10 3.8
2019-09 1.4
2019-08 -0.5
2019-07 -0.1
2019-06 -1.8
2019-05 1.5
2019-04 4.0
2019-03 2.7
2019-02 1.6
2019-01 -2.4
2018-12 5.4
2018-11 0.5
2018-10 0.9
2018-09 0.5
2018-08 -0.9
2018-07 1.6
2018-06 -2.3
2018-05 -0.9
2018-04 -1.5
2018-03 -2.6
2018-02 2.2
2018-01 -2.9
2017-12 -1.5
2017-11 1.6
2017-10 3.7
2017-09 -2.9
2017-08 -0.6
2017-07 -2.4
2017-06 -2.1
2017-05 -7.7
2017-04 -3.7
2017-03 -0.9
2017-02 -4.3
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 1.4
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 selling prices

  • Source: INSEE – monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

Workforce size

Workforce size
Past workforce size Expected workforce size
2026-09 -7.4 -11.1
2026-08 -10.2 -9.6
2026-07 -7.5 -8.1
2026-06 -7.7 -13.7
2026-05 -1.4 -5.8
2026-04 -5.2 -4.0
2026-03 -10.4 -7.1
2026-02 -6.3 -10.3
2026-01 -10.6 -9.7
2025-12 -11.4 -9.0
2025-11 -8.3 -9.1
2025-10 -9.7 -13.2
2025-09 -12.4 -11.7
2025-08 -8.8 -12.5
2025-07 -12.3 -6.2
2025-06 -11.0 -7.6
2025-05 -10.7 -6.1
2025-04 -10.3 -12.0
2025-03 -9.2 -11.4
2025-02 -8.0 -7.9
2025-01 -8.3 -10.2
2024-12 -6.4 -12.9
2024-11 -3.5 -10.1
2024-10 -4.1 -7.2
2024-09 -5.7 -6.8
2024-08 -7.2 -6.8
2024-07 -7.5 -8.9
2024-06 -7.1 -8.5
2024-05 -5.9 -9.0
2024-04 -10.5 -3.9
2024-03 -7.6 -7.1
2024-02 -11.6 -7.5
2024-01 -7.5 -7.8
2023-12 -9.3 -6.0
2023-11 -11.9 -11.4
2023-10 -8.5 -9.7
2023-09 -6.9 -9.6
2023-08 -6.1 -8.6
2023-07 -5.2 -5.2
2023-06 -8.8 -7.9
2023-05 -11.0 -9.9
2023-04 -7.1 -8.0
2023-03 -8.1 -8.0
2023-02 -7.0 -6.6
2023-01 -6.5 -7.2
2022-12 -5.9 -10.0
2022-11 -6.2 -8.4
2022-10 -8.7 -7.8
2022-09 -4.4 -6.6
2022-08 -7.9 -5.9
2022-07 -8.6 -12.2
2022-06 -7.1 -9.3
2022-05 -8.5 -5.8
2022-04 -6.7 -7.3
2022-03 -1.7 -7.1
2022-02 -5.5 -6.2
2022-01 -9.0 -6.0
2021-12 -6.3 -5.3
2021-11 -5.4 -3.8
2021-10 -5.4 -6.1
2021-09 -5.0 -10.2
2021-08 -8.4 -7.0
2021-07 -6.8 -5.2
2021-06 -11.2 -6.1
2021-05 -12.1 -9.8
2021-04 -10.8 -12.8
2021-03 -14.4 -7.8
2021-02 -17.8 -13.1
2021-01 -8.3 -5.7
2020-12 -18.1 -14.0
2020-11 -11.0 -26.3
2020-10 -14.4 -12.6
2020-09 -15.5 -11.5
2020-08 -16.4 -10.3
2020-07 -21.4 -15.8
2020-06 -24.6 -21.3
2020-05 -20.7 -33.5
2020-04 -16.4 -34.7
2020-03 -12.2 -15.1
2020-02 -3.7 -10.5
2020-01 -7.3 -7.6
2019-12 -5.0 -7.1
2019-11 -6.8 -10.0
2019-10 -4.5 -7.9
2019-09 -10.4 -6.8
2019-08 -11.8 -10.5
2019-07 -1.6 -3.6
2019-06 -3.7 -3.2
2019-05 -3.8 -1.0
2019-04 -4.7 -0.7
2019-03 -5.5 -3.3
2019-02 -0.8 -5.3
2019-01 -2.6 -5.0
2018-12 -2.5 -4.2
2018-11 1.1 -0.6
2018-10 0.1 -3.2
2018-09 1.0 -1.7
2018-08 4.9 -3.2
2018-07 3.9 4.2
2018-06 3.6 2.1
2018-05 4.6 -0.7
2018-04 3.5 0.9
2018-03 4.0 0.7
2018-02 5.3 0.9
2018-01 4.3 -1.7
2017-12 -0.6 0.3
2017-11 4.7 -0.6
2017-10 3.3 -2.0
2017-09 3.0 -2.8
2017-08 2.5 -1.7
2017-07 1.2 -2.6
2017-06 2.5 -0.9
2017-05 0.7 -2.6
2017-04 0.2 -4.3
2017-03 -0.2 -0.7
2017-02 -3.0 -3.4
2017-01 -0.7 -5.8
2016-12 -1.8 -3.6
2016-11 -4.9 -5.3
2016-10 -3.7 -3.2
2016-09 -0.1 -5.8
2016-08 -1.6 -2.9
2016-07 -3.7 -2.9
2016-06 -1.1 -5.8
2016-05 -2.9 -5.1
2016-04 -4.4 -4.9
2016-03 -5.1 -6.9
2016-02 -3.8 -6.1
2016-01 -3.0 -3.9
2015-12 -3.7 -5.9
2015-11 -5.1 -7.8
2015-10 -1.9 -2.3
2015-09 -2.4 -3.7
2015-08 -5.1 -4.3
2015-07 -1.5 -4.8
2015-06 -1.2 -6.1
2015-05 -1.0 -6.1
2015-04 -2.1 -7.4
2015-03 -7.3 -4.7
2015-02 -2.1 -5.8
2015-01 -5.7 -8.2
2014-12 -4.3 -8.4
2014-11 -5.0 -9.2
2014-10 -3.3 -11.3
2014-09 -2.1 -11.0
2014-08 -2.8 -9.3
2014-07 -0.8 -7.1
2014-06 -2.6 -7.5
2014-05 -2.5 -4.9
2014-04 -2.5 -3.8
2014-03 -6.5 -6.6
2014-02 -4.5 -7.8
2014-01 -4.9 -7.3
2013-12 -5.3 -7.2
2013-11 -8.0 -11.9
2013-10 -7.9 -5.2
2013-09 -8.8 -6.1
2013-08 -7.2 -7.2
2013-07 -10.4 -11.6
2013-06 -8.9 -12.3
2013-05 -10.4 -11.3
2013-04 -9.5 -12.0
2013-03 -7.8 -12.3
2013-02 -9.4 -10.0
2013-01 -9.1 -9.7
2012-12 -6.7 -12.4
2012-11 -6.0 -8.0
2012-10 -7.3 -5.8
2012-09 -6.6 -9.2
2012-08 -6.3 -8.9
2012-07 -6.9 -13.3
2012-06 -6.5 -8.0
2012-05 -9.5 -10.3
2012-04 -5.6 -6.9
2012-03 -3.9 -7.4
2012-02 -7.1 -10.5
2012-01 -10.6 -7.5
2011-12 -7.3 -4.4
2011-11 -3.8 -6.5
2011-10 -4.0 -6.9
2011-09 0.0 -7.7
2011-08 -3.7 -4.9
2011-07 -1.4 -4.7
2011-06 -1.8 -5.8
2011-05 -0.8 -4.3
2011-04 -2.7 -4.7
2011-03 -2.6 -3.9
2011-02 -2.1 -2.7
2011-01 -2.4 -3.2

Workforce size

  • Source: INSEE – monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

The business climate has clearly fallen back in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has edged down again in the motor vehicle sector

In September 2026, the business climate in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) has sharply fallen back: it has lost five points and stands at 97, moving back below its long-term average (100). This deterioration mainly results from the sharp downturn in the balance of opinion related to ordering intentions and, to a lesser extent, from the declines in the balances related to general business outlook and past sales. The balance related to expected sales has sharply fallen and has moved away from its average.

In trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the business climate has slightly fallen again: it has lost one point and stands at 92. It has remained below its long-term average (100) since July 2024. The balance related to ordering intentions has slightly declined and remains well below its average. The balances related to general business outlook and past sales have been virtually stable, well below their respective average. The balance related to expected sales has sharply rebounded, while remaining below its average. The balance related to expected workforce size has sharply fallen and has reached its lowest level since April 2022.

Business climate synthetic indicator in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

Business climate synthetic indicator in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles
Trade and repair of motor vehicles Retail trade (excluding motor vehicles)
2026-09 92.3 97.2
2026-08 93.1 102.2
2026-07 93.8 99.4
2026-06 91.6 92.3
2026-05 92.3 90.0
2026-04 92.5 93.5
2026-03 96.1 99.7
2026-02 95.9 100.3
2026-01 96.5 100.6
2025-12 98.3 102.7
2025-11 92.2 101.4
2025-10 99.3 98.3
2025-09 92.5 94.9
2025-08 90.3 99.7
2025-07 90.9 104.5
2025-06 93.3 102.8
2025-05 92.5 101.7
2025-04 94.2 99.1
2025-03 95.7 103.9
2025-02 94.5 100.2
2025-01 95.7 100.1
2024-12 93.0 101.4
2024-11 96.7 102.4
2024-10 99.0 101.8
2024-09 99.6 101.4
2024-08 97.6 100.7
2024-07 95.0 95.8
2024-06 101.4 100.7
2024-05 100.9 103.3
2024-04 100.3 105.7
2024-03 101.7 102.6
2024-02 99.5 102.6
2024-01 99.3 109.1
2023-12 99.9 101.0
2023-11 102.2 98.1
2023-10 98.8 100.4
2023-09 101.3 104.6
2023-08 101.5 107.9
2023-07 101.9 107.3
2023-06 97.6 105.1
2023-05 100.3 98.8
2023-04 99.3 104.1
2023-03 98.9 99.3
2023-02 102.0 101.1
2023-01 101.5 99.8
2022-12 105.5 97.6
2022-11 100.2 96.4
2022-10 99.3 98.6
2022-09 98.9 94.8
2022-08 98.1 98.8
2022-07 99.0 94.8
2022-06 94.7 95.6
2022-05 91.4 99.3
2022-04 90.0 95.0
2022-03 101.0 100.9
2022-02 105.2 108.5
2022-01 103.7 107.0
2021-12 103.5 110.3
2021-11 100.9 114.6
2021-10 101.3 111.4
2021-09 104.2 111.5
2021-08 108.8 111.5
2021-07 109.3 118.5
2021-06 116.5 119.2
2021-05 108.0 113.3
2021-04 100.6 93.0
2021-03 98.2 98.8
2021-02 90.0 92.9
2021-01 95.5 94.2
2020-12 100.1 92.9
2020-11 80.6 71.3
2020-10 106.2 97.2
2020-09 106.8 95.3
2020-08 105.3 92.1
2020-07 99.8 88.2
2020-06 90.4 88.5
2020-05 60.7 70.6
2020-04 58.3 69.3
2020-03 100.7 94.5
2020-02 109.9 108.1
2020-01 112.6 105.4
2019-12 110.1 108.6
2019-11 109.4 107.5
2019-10 110.5 105.5
2019-09 109.1 106.3
2019-08 109.9 98.6
2019-07 107.3 107.2
2019-06 109.7 102.5
2019-05 110.2 103.7
2019-04 109.1 108.7
2019-03 109.1 102.8
2019-02 107.2 101.1
2019-01 106.6 99.1
2018-12 108.6 93.9
2018-11 112.2 103.3
2018-10 112.6 104.2
2018-09 112.9 108.5
2018-08 114.1 114.8
2018-07 114.0 114.0
2018-06 115.4 112.0
2018-05 117.3 112.5
2018-04 117.5 112.1
2018-03 117.4 112.4
2018-02 120.8 114.0
2018-01 120.4 115.6
2017-12 117.2 115.3
2017-11 118.9 114.7
2017-10 117.7 116.8
2017-09 115.8 114.0
2017-08 111.7 107.3
2017-07 111.4 114.6
2017-06 110.2 111.6
2017-05 108.7 107.1
2017-04 110.4 104.9
2017-03 111.0 105.7
2017-02 107.0 107.1
2017-01 106.7 109.4
2016-12 108.4 109.1
2016-11 106.6 102.8
2016-10 106.9 100.2
2016-09 106.5 102.3
2016-08 110.4 102.6
2016-07 112.0 101.8
2016-06 112.0 101.6
2016-05 109.5 105.9
2016-04 109.3 101.1
2016-03 109.2 103.1
2016-02 109.5 100.3
2016-01 109.4 102.6
2015-12 109.4 99.0
2015-11 110.3 104.6
2015-10 108.2 108.9
2015-09 109.6 105.0
2015-08 110.0 106.4
2015-07 105.6 102.8
2015-06 112.0 102.2
2015-05 111.3 100.6
2015-04 109.9 101.5
2015-03 107.4 101.0
2015-02 105.2 101.6
2015-01 106.4 96.8
2014-12 102.7 91.9
2014-11 100.3 90.7
2014-10 96.3 87.4
2014-09 92.2 88.0
2014-08 98.3 87.9
2014-07 100.7 95.8
2014-06 97.9 94.1
2014-05 100.1 95.0
2014-04 99.5 95.0
2014-03 99.1 94.5
2014-02 95.9 95.0
2014-01 97.5 95.0
2013-12 95.6 93.7
2013-11 95.5 92.2
2013-10 97.1 94.7
2013-09 97.8 98.2
2013-08 93.2 93.9
2013-07 91.8 83.6
2013-06 89.7 84.4
2013-05 87.3 82.7
2013-04 84.8 86.0
2013-03 84.8 88.8
2013-02 88.9 91.2
2013-01 82.8 86.5
2012-12 84.4 91.3
2012-11 83.9 90.7
2012-10 74.9 93.7
2012-09 82.0 88.6
2012-08 87.4 93.7
2012-07 81.9 95.0
2012-06 85.9 97.6
2012-05 89.1 93.5
2012-04 92.7 98.8
2012-03 88.2 96.7
2012-02 90.3 92.6
2012-01 84.3 90.8
2011-12 94.4 92.6
2011-11 93.1 95.4
2011-10 97.2 94.5
2011-09 94.3 94.9
2011-08 98.3 99.1
2011-07 101.8 102.2
2011-06 100.4 104.2
2011-05 99.9 107.2
2011-04 100.7 105.3
2011-03 102.6 105.0
2011-02 104.5 108.4
2011-01 104.8 108.8
2010-12 104.1 110.9
2010-11 103.5 106.1
2010-10 103.1 110.7
2010-09 101.8 108.5
2010-08 99.6 110.5
2010-07 98.2 102.5
2010-06 97.3 103.2
2010-05 96.1 105.0
2010-04 99.8 105.8
2010-03 93.2 100.4
2010-02 97.7 100.6
2010-01 101.3 97.7
2009-12 95.1 98.6
2009-11 100.0 99.4
2009-10 94.4 94.4
2009-09 94.5 91.2
2009-08 95.0 86.9
2009-07 90.2 87.6
2009-06 85.8 80.0
2009-05 94.2 77.3
2009-04 76.6 78.7
2009-03 93.7 81.4
2009-02 75.5 81.8
2009-01 73.7 81.6
2008-12 71.9 80.2
2008-11 87.1 84.2
2008-10 78.6 81.8
2008-09 101.3 95.4
2008-08 91.0 95.0
2008-07 93.6 95.1
2008-06 97.8 99.9
2008-05 105.8 101.2
2008-04 98.7 105.4
2008-03 110.5 109.6
2008-02 103.5 110.3
2008-01 104.9 111.8
2007-12 108.7 116.8
2007-11 111.8 111.5
2007-10 111.4 111.9
2007-09 111.0 111.1
2007-08 110.6 116.7
2007-07 110.0 121.0
2007-06 118.4 121.3
2007-05 107.0 118.8
2007-04 110.1 114.6
2007-03 107.5 111.9
2007-02 112.1 112.2
2007-01 108.0 107.3
2006-12 104.8 109.9
2006-11 106.9 112.8
2006-10 104.9 114.5
2006-09 105.3 112.5
2006-08 107.2 110.0
2006-07 109.0 106.5
2006-06 109.7 105.4
2006-05 104.4 104.4
2006-04 105.5 102.8
2006-03 104.2 100.7
2006-02 106.3 101.0
2006-01 103.1 102.5

Business climate synthetic indicator in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and in trade and repair of motor vehicles

  • Source: INSEE – monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

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) June 26 July 26 Aug. 26 Sept. 26
Retail trade
Business climate 100 92 99 102 97
General business outlook -28 -35 -25 -27 -30
Recent sales -8 -10 -9 -6 -8
Expected sales -2 -16 -5 -4 -9
Ordering intentions -9 -17 -10 -3 -11
Past workforce size -1 -9 -9 -12 -9
Expected workforce size -4 -16 -10 -11 -11
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
Business climate 100 92 94 93 92
General business outlook -26 -46 -34 -35 -36
Recent sales -11 -29 -27 -26 -25
Expected sales -9 -23 -26 -28 -20
Ordering intentions -11 -21 -20 -21 -23
Past workforce size -6 -3 -3 -3 -2
Expected workforce size -5 -4 0 -5 -11
  • (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).
  • Source: INSEE - monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

Revisions

The business climate for August 2026 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 27 August and 21 September 2026; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

Next issue: 22 October 2026 at 8:45 am.

Documentation

Methodology note (in french) (pdf,117 Ko)

Changes to business tendency surveys related to European harmonisation – October 2021 (pdf,181 Ko)

Retail trade and in the trade and repair of motor vehicles (Monthly survey in the)

Pour en savoir plus

: bureau-de-presse@insee.fr

Publication calendar

Time series : Retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles

Insee Blog (in french): Les enquêtes de conjoncture se valent-elles toutes ?

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