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Informations Rapides · 22 October 2026 · n° 255
Informations rapidesIn October 2026, the business climate in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles has worsened again Monthly survey of retailing - October 2026

In October 2026, the business climate has worsened again in the whole sector comprising retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles. At 93, the synthetic indicator has lost three points and has moved further away from its long-term average (100). This deterioration mainly results from the sharp fall in the balance of opinion related to general business outlook.

Informations rapides
No 255
Paru le :Paru le22/10/2026
Prochaine parution le : 20/11/2026 at 08:45 - November 2026
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In October 2026, the business climate has worsened again in the whole sector comprising retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles. At 93, the synthetic indicator has lost three points and has moved further away from its long-term average (100). This deterioration mainly results from the sharp fall in the balance of opinion related to general business outlook.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2026-10 93.2
2026-09 95.8
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 97.2
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
2025-03 100.9
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
2024-05 102.1
2024-04 103.7
2024-03 101.9
2024-02 100.9
2024-01 105.4
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 92.0
2022-03 101.4
2022-02 107.8
2022-01 106.3
2021-12 108.5
2021-11 109.9
2021-10 107.1
2021-09 109.1
2021-08 111.7
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 93.4
2020-06 89.3
2020-05 62.2
2020-04 59.6
2020-03 96.6
2020-02 109.8
2020-01 109.2
2019-12 110.4
2019-11 109.0
2019-10 107.8
2019-09 108.1
2019-08 101.8
2019-07 107.9
2019-06 105.2
2019-05 106.8
2019-04 110.5
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
2018-08 117.1
2018-07 115.9
2018-06 115.0
2018-05 115.7
2018-04 115.6
2018-03 115.2
2018-02 117.8
2018-01 119.0
2017-12 117.3
2017-11 118.0
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
2016-09 104.0
2016-08 105.7
2016-07 105.3
2016-06 105.7
2016-05 107.8
2016-04 103.6
2016-03 105.9
2016-02 103.6
2016-01 105.1
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
2015-04 105.7
2015-03 104.1
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 95.7
2013-12 94.0
2013-11 93.4
2013-10 95.4
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 87.3
2011-12 92.5
2011-11 94.2
2011-10 94.7
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
2010-12 109.5
2010-11 105.6
2010-10 109.4
2010-09 107.1
2010-08 107.8
2010-07 101.1
2010-06 102.4
2010-05 102.4
2010-04 104.5
2010-03 97.9
2010-02 99.6
2010-01 98.5
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 77.2
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
2008-02 110.0
2008-01 110.9
2007-12 116.2
2007-11 112.7
2007-10 112.8
2007-09 111.6
2007-08 116.1
2007-07 119.1
2007-06 122.7
2007-05 116.2
2007-04 114.7
2007-03 112.1
2007-02 114.4
2007-01 108.9
2006-12 109.4
2006-11 112.4
2006-10 112.2
2006-09 110.9
2006-08 110.2
2006-07 108.3
2006-06 108.1
2006-05 105.2
2006-04 104.6
2006-03 102.7
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 general business outlook has sharply deteriorated

In October 2026, the balance of opinion related to general business outlook has sharply deteriorated, moving closer to its last May level, which had not been seen since October 2014, excluding the health crisis; it has moved further away from its long-term average. The balances related to past and expected sales have both slightly rebounded and have returned to their August levels, but remain below their respective average. The balance related to ordering intentions is stable and remains below its average for the seventh consecutive month.

The balance of opinion related to the current level of stocks has clearly rebounded and has moved back above its long-term average.

The balance related to expected selling prices has sharply risen anew and remains well above its average.

The balance related to past workforce size has fallen back, while the one related to expected workforce size has rebounded; both remain below their respective average.

Lastly, the balance on felt economic uncertainty has been virtually stable, just below 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) July 26 Aug. 26 Sept. 26 Oct. 26
Business climate 100 96 99 96 93
General business outlook -28 -27 -29 -32 -42
Recent sales -9 -15 -13 -14 -13
Expected sales -5 -12 -12 -13 -12
Ordering intentions -9 -14 -10 -13 -13
Stocks 10 14 14 9 15
Past selling prices (2) -3 1 9
Expected selling prices 0 10 10 10 13
Cash position (2) -15 -22 -23
Past workforce size -1 -7 -10 -8 -11
Expected workforce size -4 -8 -10 -11 -8
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 34 34 36 35
  • (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.

General business outlook

General business outlook
General outlook
2026-10 -41.5
2026-09 -31.5
2026-08 -29.0
2026-07 -27.1
2026-06 -37.9
2026-05 -42.4
2026-04 -38.6
2026-03 -28.4
2026-02 -24.2
2026-01 -25.1
2025-12 -24.9
2025-11 -27.6
2025-10 -28.7
2025-09 -34.4
2025-08 -29.7
2025-07 -24.3
2025-06 -25.8
2025-05 -26.1
2025-04 -28.4
2025-03 -23.6
2025-02 -27.6
2025-01 -26.8
2024-12 -27.0
2024-11 -22.7
2024-10 -22.2
2024-09 -20.2
2024-08 -24.4
2024-07 -30.4
2024-06 -22.9
2024-05 -19.2
2024-04 -18.3
2024-03 -20.9
2024-02 -21.7
2024-01 -16.1
2023-12 -17.7
2023-11 -19.6
2023-10 -23.5
2023-09 -19.1
2023-08 -12.2
2023-07 -13.6
2023-06 -18.7
2023-05 -21.3
2023-04 -21.0
2023-03 -23.7
2023-02 -23.8
2023-01 -27.1
2022-12 -28.1
2022-11 -29.7
2022-10 -31.1
2022-09 -33.3
2022-08 -28.9
2022-07 -34.1
2022-06 -34.7
2022-05 -33.5
2022-04 -36.5
2022-03 -33.1
2022-02 -10.8
2022-01 -16.3
2021-12 -10.8
2021-11 -4.1
2021-10 -1.5
2021-09 -3.5
2021-08 -11.6
2021-07 4.3
2021-06 18.5
2021-05 6.8
2021-04 -37.7
2021-03 -30.0
2021-02 -43.2
2021-01 -40.0
2020-12 -31.9
2020-11 -78.0
2020-10 -39.4
2020-09 -36.4
2020-08 -38.9
2020-07 -40.0
2020-06 -39.8
2020-05 -67.3
2020-04 -80.3
2020-03 -37.4
2020-02 -13.1
2020-01 -15.2
2019-12 -12.2
2019-11 -10.9
2019-10 -10.7
2019-09 -11.2
2019-08 -12.1
2019-07 -15.7
2019-06 -13.1
2019-05 -15.6
2019-04 -14.1
2019-03 -16.6
2019-02 -20.8
2019-01 -26.3
2018-12 -37.6
2018-11 -20.2
2018-10 -14.2
2018-09 -15.6
2018-08 -11.4
2018-07 -9.7
2018-06 -8.0
2018-05 -4.2
2018-04 -2.1
2018-03 1.0
2018-02 2.0
2018-01 3.6
2017-12 2.3
2017-11 -1.1
2017-10 -1.8
2017-09 -2.1
2017-08 -5.7
2017-07 -3.7
2017-06 -4.3
2017-05 -14.4
2017-04 -15.8
2017-03 -18.8
2017-02 -19.4
2017-01 -15.2
2016-12 -13.5
2016-11 -14.7
2016-10 -20.6
2016-09 -19.5
2016-08 -20.3
2016-07 -18.2
2016-06 -20.8
2016-05 -15.7
2016-04 -18.5
2016-03 -19.4
2016-02 -18.5
2016-01 -16.9
2015-12 -22.9
2015-11 -16.1
2015-10 -15.6
2015-09 -17.8
2015-08 -17.7
2015-07 -21.2
2015-06 -21.8
2015-05 -24.2
2015-04 -24.9
2015-03 -26.4
2015-02 -30.0
2015-01 -32.9
2014-12 -38.0
2014-11 -39.6
2014-10 -43.1
2014-09 -41.6
2014-08 -40.0
2014-07 -35.1
2014-06 -34.7
2014-05 -33.1
2014-04 -33.4
2014-03 -33.5
2014-02 -34.5
2014-01 -35.2
2013-12 -35.6
2013-11 -40.6
2013-10 -33.5
2013-09 -32.3
2013-08 -37.0
2013-07 -45.3
2013-06 -52.6
2013-05 -53.2
2013-04 -51.5
2013-03 -50.6
2013-02 -44.1
2013-01 -47.3
2012-12 -46.7
2012-11 -48.9
2012-10 -49.8
2012-09 -49.9
2012-08 -46.0
2012-07 -45.1
2012-06 -40.0
2012-05 -40.6
2012-04 -32.0
2012-03 -38.1
2012-02 -44.6
2012-01 -46.4
2011-12 -42.1
2011-11 -41.4
2011-10 -35.8
2011-09 -39.4
2011-08 -30.5
2011-07 -17.5
2011-06 -18.0
2011-05 -18.9
2011-04 -21.6
2011-03 -19.2
2011-02 -17.5
2011-01 -17.7
2010-12 -15.0
2010-11 -16.6
2010-10 -18.9
2010-09 -19.5
2010-08 -21.2
2010-07 -27.8
2010-06 -32.3
2010-05 -28.7
2010-04 -23.4
2010-03 -27.5
2010-02 -24.0
2010-01 -22.5
2009-12 -25.3
2009-11 -22.8
2009-10 -30.4
2009-09 -32.9
2009-08 -39.7
2009-07 -44.1
2009-06 -46.6
2009-05 -49.9
2009-04 -54.3
2009-03 -57.8
2009-02 -57.7
2009-01 -59.4
2008-12 -61.5
2008-11 -63.1
2008-10 -62.8
2008-09 -47.8
2008-08 -41.7
2008-07 -42.9
2008-06 -38.9
2008-05 -34.2
2008-04 -29.0
2008-03 -24.8
2008-02 -26.7
2008-01 -20.9
2007-12 -15.0
2007-11 -10.8
2007-10 -9.9
2007-09 -9.9
2007-08 -7.0
2007-07 -3.7
2007-06 3.7
2007-05 -4.0
2007-04 -12.1
2007-03 -16.8
2007-02 -16.9
2007-01 -18.9

General business outlook

  • 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
2026-10 -13.2 -13.1
2026-09 -12.9 -14.2
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
2026-10 13.2
2026-09 9.5
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
2026-10 -11.3 -7.7
2026-09 -7.8 -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 continued to plunge in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles)

In October 2026, the business climate in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) has sharply deteriorated again for the second consecutive month: it has lost four points and stands at 93, below its long-term average (100). This deterioration has mainly resulted from a sharp fall in the balance of opinion related to general business outlook, which has moved further away from its average and has reached a level not seen since December 2018, excluding the health crisis. The balances related to expected sales and ordering intentions have slightly declined and remain below their respective average. The balance related to past sales is stable, at its long-term average. Lastly, the balance related to past workforce size has fallen back, while the one related to expected workforce size has increased.

In trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the business climate has been stable at 95, below its long-term average (100). The balance related to general business outlook has deteriorated again and has moved further away from its average. The one related to ordering intentions is virtually stable, well below its average. The balances related to past and expected sales have both rebounded, remaining well below their respective average; the latter has reached its highest level in a year.

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)
2026-10 94.9 92.5
2026-09 95.4 96.9
2026-08 93.1 102.3
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 98.3 102.8
2025-11 92.1 101.4
2025-10 99.3 98.3
2025-09 92.5 94.9
2025-08 90.3 99.8
2025-07 90.9 104.5
2025-06 93.3 102.8
2025-05 92.5 101.7
2025-04 94.2 99.2
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 99.1 101.8
2024-09 99.6 101.4
2024-08 97.6 100.8
2024-07 95.0 95.8
2024-06 101.4 100.8
2024-05 100.9 103.3
2024-04 100.3 105.8
2024-03 101.7 102.7
2024-02 99.6 102.6
2024-01 99.3 109.1
2023-12 100.0 101.0
2023-11 102.2 98.1
2023-10 98.8 100.5
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 98.9
2023-04 99.4 104.1
2023-03 98.9 99.3
2023-02 102.0 101.2
2023-01 101.6 99.8
2022-12 105.5 97.6
2022-11 100.2 96.4
2022-10 99.3 98.7
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 95.1
2022-03 101.0 100.9
2022-02 105.3 108.5
2022-01 103.8 107.0
2021-12 103.5 110.3
2021-11 101.0 114.6
2021-10 101.3 111.4
2021-09 104.2 111.6
2021-08 108.8 111.5
2021-07 109.4 118.5
2021-06 116.6 119.2
2021-05 108.0 113.3
2021-04 100.6 93.0
2021-03 98.2 98.8
2021-02 89.9 92.9
2021-01 95.5 94.2
2020-12 100.1 92.9
2020-11 80.6 71.3
2020-10 106.3 97.2
2020-09 106.9 95.4
2020-08 105.3 92.2
2020-07 99.8 88.2
2020-06 90.4 88.5
2020-05 60.6 70.6
2020-04 58.2 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
2019-10 110.5 105.6
2019-09 109.1 106.4
2019-08 109.9 98.6
2019-07 107.3 107.2
2019-06 109.7 102.5
2019-05 110.3 103.7
2019-04 109.2 108.7
2019-03 109.1 102.8
2019-02 107.2 101.1
2019-01 106.7 99.2
2018-12 108.7 93.9
2018-11 112.2 103.3
2018-10 112.6 104.2
2018-09 112.9 108.5
2018-08 114.1 114.9
2018-07 114.0 114.1
2018-06 115.4 112.0
2018-05 117.3 112.6
2018-04 117.6 112.1
2018-03 117.4 112.4
2018-02 120.8 114.0
2018-01 120.5 115.6
2017-12 117.2 115.4
2017-11 119.0 114.8
2017-10 117.7 116.8
2017-09 115.8 114.1
2017-08 111.7 107.4
2017-07 111.4 114.6
2017-06 110.2 111.6
2017-05 108.8 107.2
2017-04 110.4 104.9
2017-03 111.0 105.7
2017-02 107.0 107.2
2017-01 106.8 109.4
2016-12 108.4 109.1
2016-11 106.6 102.8
2016-10 106.9 100.2
2016-09 106.5 102.4
2016-08 110.4 102.6
2016-07 112.0 101.8
2016-06 112.0 101.6
2016-05 109.5 106.0
2016-04 109.4 101.2
2016-03 109.2 103.1
2016-02 109.6 100.3
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
2015-08 110.1 106.4
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
2015-02 105.3 101.6
2015-01 106.4 96.8
2014-12 102.8 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 94.6
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 94.0
2013-07 91.8 83.6
2013-06 89.7 84.4
2013-05 87.2 82.7
2013-04 84.7 86.0
2013-03 84.7 88.8
2013-02 88.9 91.3
2013-01 82.7 86.5
2012-12 84.4 91.3
2012-11 83.9 90.7
2012-10 74.8 93.7
2012-09 81.9 88.6
2012-08 87.3 93.7
2012-07 81.9 95.0
2012-06 85.8 97.7
2012-05 89.1 93.5
2012-04 92.7 98.8
2012-03 88.1 96.7
2012-02 90.3 92.6
2012-01 84.3 90.8
2011-12 94.4 92.6
2011-11 93.1 95.5
2011-10 97.2 94.5
2011-09 94.3 94.9
2011-08 98.3 99.2
2011-07 101.8 102.2
2011-06 100.4 104.2
2011-05 99.9 107.2
2011-04 100.7 105.4
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
2010-10 103.2 110.8
2010-09 101.8 108.6
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 99.8 105.9
2010-03 93.1 100.4
2010-02 97.7 100.7
2010-01 101.3 97.8
2009-12 95.1 98.6
2009-11 100.0 99.4
2009-10 94.4 94.5
2009-09 94.5 91.2
2009-08 95.0 86.9
2009-07 90.2 87.6
2009-06 85.7 80.0
2009-05 94.2 77.3
2009-04 76.6 78.7
2009-03 93.6 81.4
2009-02 75.5 81.8
2009-01 73.6 81.6
2008-12 71.8 80.2
2008-11 87.1 84.2
2008-10 78.6 81.8
2008-09 101.3 95.5
2008-08 91.0 95.0
2008-07 93.6 95.2
2008-06 97.8 100.0
2008-05 105.8 101.2
2008-04 98.7 105.4
2008-03 110.5 109.7
2008-02 103.5 110.3
2008-01 105.0 111.8
2007-12 108.7 116.8
2007-11 111.8 111.5
2007-10 111.4 111.9
2007-09 111.0 111.1
2007-08 110.7 116.7
2007-07 110.1 121.0
2007-06 118.4 121.4
2007-05 107.0 118.8
2007-04 110.1 114.6
2007-03 107.5 112.0
2007-02 112.1 112.3
2007-01 108.1 107.3
2006-12 104.8 109.9
2006-11 107.0 112.8
2006-10 105.0 114.5
2006-09 105.3 112.5
2006-08 107.3 110.0
2006-07 109.0 106.5
2006-06 109.7 105.4
2006-05 104.5 104.4
2006-04 105.5 102.8
2006-03 104.2 100.7
2006-02 106.3 101.0
2006-01 103.1 102.6

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) July 26 Aug. 26 Sept. 26 Oct. 26
Retail trade
Business climate 100 99 102 97 93
General business outlook -28 -25 -27 -30 -42
Recent sales -8 -9 -6 -8 -8
Expected sales -2 -5 -4 -9 -10
Ordering intentions -9 -10 -3 -11 -12
Past workforce size -1 -9 -12 -9 -12
Expected workforce size -4 -10 -11 -11 -7
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
Business climate 100 94 93 95 95
General business outlook -26 -34 -35 -36 -40
Recent sales -11 -27 -26 -26 -23
Expected sales -9 -26 -28 -21 -16
Ordering intentions -11 -20 -21 -16 -15
Past workforce size -6 -3 -3 -3 -9
Expected workforce size -5 0 -5 -11 -10
  • (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 September 2026 in retail trade, including trade and repair of motor vehicles, has been revised upwards by two points (after rounding). This revision results from the inclusion of late responses from companies.

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 25 September and 19 October 2026; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

Next issue: 20 November 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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