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Informations Rapides · 25 April 2024 · n° 99
Informations rapidesIn April 2024, the business climate has improved in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - April 2024

In April 2024, the business climate has improved in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 103, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained three points and lies above its long-term average (100). This rise is mainly the result of the increase of the balances of opinion related to the general business outlook, the past sales and the expected change in the workforce size.

Informations rapides
No 99
Paru le :Paru le25/04/2024
Prochaine parution le : 24/05/2024 at 08:45 - May 2024
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In April 2024, the business climate has improved in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 103, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained three points and lies above its long-term average (100). This rise is mainly the result of the increase of the balances of opinion related to the general business outlook, the past sales and the expected change in the workforce size.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2024-04 102.5
2024-03 100.3
2024-02 99.5
2024-01 103.8
2023-12 99.6
2023-11 96.5
2023-10 98.0
2023-09 102.7
2023-08 105.0
2023-07 105.7
2023-06 101.7
2023-05 96.6
2023-04 100.0
2023-03 97.4
2023-02 100.1
2023-01 99.4
2022-12 98.7
2022-11 96.1
2022-10 97.5
2022-09 96.8
2022-08 99.1
2022-07 95.4
2022-06 94.5
2022-05 94.1
2022-04 91.1
2022-03 98.6
2022-02 105.7
2022-01 104.0
2021-12 106.8
2021-11 107.9
2021-10 106.6
2021-09 108.0
2021-08 110.1
2021-07 114.2
2021-06 116.4
2021-05 107.8
2021-04 91.7
2021-03 96.3
2021-02 89.2
2021-01 93.6
2020-12 93.4
2020-11 70.8
2020-10 98.0
2020-09 98.0
2020-08 96.8
2020-07 90.4
2020-06 86.6
2020-05 61.5
2020-04 58.0
2020-03 93.6
2020-02 107.3
2020-01 106.8
2019-12 108.7
2019-11 106.7
2019-10 106.6
2019-09 107.1
2019-08 103.4
2019-07 106.1
2019-06 104.8
2019-05 104.9
2019-04 107.8
2019-03 105.1
2019-02 103.5
2019-01 102.1
2018-12 100.2
2018-11 107.5
2018-10 107.6
2018-09 110.1
2018-08 116.1
2018-07 114.0
2018-06 113.8
2018-05 113.1
2018-04 113.7
2018-03 114.5
2018-02 117.0
2018-01 117.3
2017-12 116.8
2017-11 116.2
2017-10 116.7
2017-09 113.5
2017-08 111.2
2017-07 112.0
2017-06 111.3
2017-05 107.1
2017-04 105.7
2017-03 107.9
2017-02 107.6
2017-01 108.9
2016-12 108.3
2016-11 103.2
2016-10 102.0
2016-09 102.9
2016-08 104.7
2016-07 104.6
2016-06 104.0
2016-05 106.2
2016-04 103.0
2016-03 103.9
2016-02 102.6
2016-01 104.3
2015-12 101.6
2015-11 105.2
2015-10 108.3
2015-09 106.0
2015-08 106.7
2015-07 103.2
2015-06 104.3
2015-05 103.1
2015-04 103.1
2015-03 102.2
2015-02 102.0
2015-01 98.8
2014-12 94.3
2014-11 92.7
2014-10 89.2
2014-09 88.5
2014-08 90.6
2014-07 96.7
2014-06 94.6
2014-05 96.4
2014-04 96.5
2014-03 95.4
2014-02 94.6
2014-01 95.1
2013-12 94.0
2013-11 91.9
2013-10 95.4
2013-09 97.7
2013-08 93.4
2013-07 85.3
2013-06 85.0
2013-05 83.4
2013-04 84.4
2013-03 86.4
2013-02 89.6
2013-01 84.9
2012-12 87.9
2012-11 88.2
2012-10 87.4
2012-09 85.8
2012-08 90.9
2012-07 89.2
2012-06 93.0
2012-05 90.9
2012-04 96.0
2012-03 93.3
2012-02 90.6
2012-01 88.1
2011-12 92.9
2011-11 93.8
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 93.8
2011-08 98.2
2011-07 101.4
2011-06 102.1
2011-05 103.9
2011-04 103.1
2011-03 103.8
2011-02 106.5
2011-01 106.7
2010-12 107.8
2010-11 104.3
2010-10 107.5
2010-09 105.9
2010-08 106.2
2010-07 101.0
2010-06 101.0
2010-05 101.7
2010-04 103.1
2010-03 97.8
2010-02 98.7
2010-01 98.3
2009-12 96.6
2009-11 98.2
2009-10 92.7
2009-09 90.4
2009-08 87.4
2009-07 86.0
2009-06 79.6
2009-05 80.4
2009-04 75.6
2009-03 82.4
2009-02 78.5
2009-01 77.5
2008-12 76.3
2008-11 83.9
2008-10 80.6
2008-09 96.2
2008-08 93.0
2008-07 95.3
2008-06 99.4
2008-05 103.0
2008-04 103.4
2008-03 109.4
2008-02 108.6
2008-01 110.0
2007-12 114.4
2007-11 112.7
2007-10 111.4
2007-09 111.8
2007-08 115.1
2007-07 117.1
2007-06 120.5
2007-05 114.5
2007-04 113.2
2007-03 111.0
2007-02 112.2
2007-01 107.6
2006-12 108.3
2006-11 110.7
2006-10 111.6
2006-09 110.2
2006-08 109.6
2006-07 108.0
2006-06 107.5
2006-05 105.2
2006-04 103.5
2006-03 102.1
2006-02 102.5
2006-01 103.0
2005-12 103.9
2005-11 99.5
2005-10 101.5
2005-09 98.9
2005-08 97.6
2005-07 95.8
2005-06 97.8
2005-05 101.2
2005-04 103.5
2005-03 104.1
2005-02 103.6
2005-01 105.9

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE

Retailers are more optimistic about the general outlook of the sector

In April 2024, the balances of opinion on the general business outlook and the past sales have increased again. The former has moved away from its long-term average while the latter has crossed its own. The balance on the ordering intentions is stable for its part, just below its average, while the one on the expected sales has retreated and has moved below its own.

Furthermore, the balance of opinion associated with the expected change in the workforce size has rebounded and lies just below its average, while the one related to its past change is almost stable.

The balance of opinion associated with the current level of stocks, declining since December 2023, has diminished again a little but remains above its average. Finally, a few less business managers consider that the evolution of their business situation is difficult to forecast compared to the previous month.

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) Jan. 24 Feb. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 24
Business climate 100 104 100 100 103
General business outlook -27 -17 -24 -21 -17
Recent sales -7 -1 -13 -11 -5
Expected sales -4 -11 -8 -3 -7
Ordering intentions -8 -6 -9 -9 -9
Stocks 10 19 17 16 15
Past selling prices (2) -3 5 - 6 -
Expected selling prices 0 3 7 4 -2
Cash position (2) -15 -20 - -19 -
Past workforce size -1 -6 -13 -9 -10
Expected workforce size -4 -8 -6 -8 -5
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 38 38 36 35 34
  • (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
2024-04 -8.5 -4.8
2024-03 -8.9 -11.1
2024-02 -8.6 -13.1
2024-01 -6.3 -0.6
2023-12 -13.5 -12.6
2023-11 -15.2 -14.2
2023-10 -11.6 -5.2
2023-09 -7.8 1.7
2023-08 -8.0 6.2
2023-07 -8.5 -1.9
2023-06 -8.8 -9.1
2023-05 -16.0 -5.8
2023-04 -11.3 -1.6
2023-03 -14.9 -5.7
2023-02 -10.4 -1.2
2023-01 -11.8 6.0
2022-12 -10.4 -1.4
2022-11 -15.4 2.1
2022-10 -8.7 -2.8
2022-09 -13.9 -4.9
2022-08 -7.4 -12.3
2022-07 -10.7 -20.4
2022-06 -12.6 -16.1
2022-05 -14.4 -12.9
2022-04 -18.7 -18.6
2022-03 -5.0 -12.4
2022-02 -3.1 -7.0
2022-01 -3.3 -4.7
2021-12 -1.6 -6.2
2021-11 -0.5 -11.0
2021-10 -3.8 -17.6
2021-09 -2.0 -11.2
2021-08 3.9 11.0
2021-07 2.6 0.3
2021-06 1.0 -2.0
2021-05 -7.2 -10.9
2021-04 -16.0 -7.4
2021-03 -8.5 -16.4
2021-02 -15.5 -14.1
2021-01 -13.4 -5.4
2020-12 -11.4 -21.8
2020-11 -37.0 7.4
2020-10 0.4 -2.1
2020-09 -6.3 6.2
2020-08 -3.9 -9.9
2020-07 -9.6 -42.0
2020-06 -13.8 -48.2
2020-05 -47.3 -56.4
2020-04 -56.4 -4.3
2020-03 -12.5 -4.4
2020-02 -0.6 1.6
2020-01 -2.8 11.1
2019-12 1.3 -1.5
2019-11 -1.0 -5.8
2019-10 -2.5 -6.3
2019-09 -3.7 0.5
2019-08 -7.8 -5.0
2019-07 -5.0 -3.7
2019-06 -7.6 -9.0
2019-05 -6.3 -10.9
2019-04 0.3 -12.9
2019-03 -2.4 -17.9
2019-02 -6.2 -10.0
2019-01 -6.4 -9.1
2018-12 -5.6 -9.1
2018-11 -0.6 -6.8
2018-10 -2.2 -8.1
2018-09 0.6 2.0
2018-08 13.4 0.3
2018-07 3.7 -2.1
2018-06 5.2 -8.7
2018-05 2.6 -6.9
2018-04 2.1 -9.7
2018-03 2.3 -8.2
2018-02 4.2 5.1
2018-01 6.3 1.9
2017-12 5.9 1.5
2017-11 7.7 -5.1
2017-10 9.3 -0.4
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 balance of opinion on the expected prices has diminished again sharply

In April 2024, the balance of opinion on the expected prices has diminished again sharply and has moved below its long-term average, at its lowest level since December 2020.

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
2024-04 -1.6
2024-03 4.4
2024-02 7.2
2024-01 3.2
2023-12 9.1
2023-11 8.0
2023-10 13.6
2023-09 14.4
2023-08 13.9
2023-07 14.4
2023-06 18.8
2023-05 26.8
2023-04 37.0
2023-03 46.7
2023-02 45.3
2023-01 41.2
2022-12 37.3
2022-11 38.2
2022-10 44.5
2022-09 40.9
2022-08 42.2
2022-07 40.3
2022-06 41.0
2022-05 41.3
2022-04 36.1
2022-03 37.5
2022-02 35.8
2022-01 26.1
2021-12 24.9
2021-11 26.2
2021-10 23.5
2021-09 15.1
2021-08 14.4
2021-07 13.4
2021-06 10.1
2021-05 3.7
2021-04 0.5
2021-03 1.7
2021-02 -0.2
2021-01 0.3
2020-12 -3.9
2020-11 -4.0
2020-10 2.9
2020-09 1.0
2020-08 -0.1
2020-07 -2.7
2020-06 -3.6
2020-05 -8.2
2020-04 -8.1
2020-03 -1.5
2020-02 2.1
2020-01 -0.2
2019-12 3.0
2019-11 1.5
2019-10 3.9
2019-09 1.8
2019-08 -1.0
2019-07 -1.2
2019-06 -3.3
2019-05 -0.5
2019-04 2.3
2019-03 0.9
2019-02 0.3
2019-01 -2.9
2018-12 4.1
2018-11 -1.3
2018-10 -0.6
2018-09 0.3
2018-08 -1.6
2018-07 0.7
2018-06 -3.3
2018-05 -2.0
2018-04 -3.0
2018-03 -3.4
2018-02 0.9
2018-01 -3.5
2017-12 -1.6
2017-11 1.4
2017-10 3.6
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 business outlook has improved in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) while it is almost stable in trade and repair of motor vehicles

The balance associated with the general business outlook has sharply increased in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) while it is almost stable in trade and repair of motor vehicles; both of these balances lie above their average.

The balance associated with the past sales has increased again sharply in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has moved away from its average, while it is almost stable, a little below its own, in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

Finally, the balance on the expected selling prices has diminished sharply in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), moving closer to its average, as well as in trade and repair of motor vehicles, where it has moved away from its own and stands at its lowest level for ten years.

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) Jan. 24 Feb. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 24
Retail trade
General business outlook -27 -14 -21 -21 -15
Recent sales -7 7 -16 -11 -2
Expected sales -2 -9 -2 1 -6
Ordering intentions -7 -2 -8 -9 -6
Stocks 10 20 17 16 15
Past selling prices (2) -5 6 - 7 -
Expected selling prices -2 3 9 8 2
Cash position (2) -14 -20 - -20 -
Past workforce size 0 -7 -17 -12 -10
Expected workforce size -4 -9 -9 -10 -7
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 37 34 35 34
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
General business outlook -25 -24 -31 -19 -20
Recent sales -8 -19 -6 -11 -10
Expected sales -7 -15 -22 -13 -8
Ordering intentions -9 -15 -11 -10 -14
Stocks 12 15 16 16 16
Past selling prices (2) 5 4 - 4 -
Expected selling prices 7 4 3 -3 -10
Cash position (2) -21 -21 - -17 -
Past workforce size -7 -2 -1 4 -6
Expected workforce size -5 -6 1 -2 3
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 43 42 43 36 33
  • (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 March 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.

For more information

The whole sector “retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles” is composed for 70% of retail trade and for 30% 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 March and 22 April 2024.

Next issue: 24 May 2024 at 8:45 am.

Documentation

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

Abbreviated methodology (pdf,137 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
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Publication calendar

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

Ouvrir dans un nouvel ongletThe Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys (BCS)