Trade in 2016 The recovery that began in 2014 continues to gather strength

The situation in the trade sector continues to improve in 2016. Vitality in the retail and vehicle repair markets increases (+6.7% in volume). The upturn in new car sales, which began in 2015, gains momentum in 2016. In the wholesale trade, activity picks up pace in most sectors, especially information and communication equipment sales. In the retail trade, sales continue to increase in volume, but at a slightly slower pace than in 2015 (+1.2% vs. +1.7%). The distance selling market continues to perform strongly, buoyed by e-commerce. For the first time since 2011, sales in value terms increase in the three main trade sectors.

In this positive climate, payroll employment rises from EOY 2015 to EOY 2016, both in the trade sector and in all primarily commercial sectors.