Informations rapides
29 November 2017
2017- n° 312
Household consumption expenditure on goods fell sharply in October (−1.9%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - October 2017

In October 2017, household consumption expenditure on goods was down by 1.9% in volume* (after +1.0%), particularly due to energy and engineered goods.

Informations rapides
No 312
Paru le :Paru le29/11/2017
Prochaine parution le : 30/04/2024 at 07:30 - March 2024

In October 2017, household consumption expenditure on goods was down by 1.9% in volume* (after +1.0%), particularly due to energy and engineered goods.

*Volumes are measured at chain-link previous year prices (2010 euro billions) and all figures are trading-day and seasonally adjusted.

Graph1Total consumption of goods

  • Source: INSEE

Energy: sharp fall

In October 2017, energy consumption diminished (−6.1% after +3.3% in September). On the one hand, expenses on gas and electricity shrank, as a result of higher temperatures than the seasonal norm. On the other hand, consumption of refined products, especially gasoline and diesel, dropped after rising sharply in September (−8.0% after +5.3%).

Graph2Breakdown of energy

  • Source: INSEE

Engineered goods: pronounced downturn

In October 2017, purchases of engineered goods contracted (−1.7%), after a three-month rise. In particular, spending on household durables and textile-clothing diminished substantially.

Durables: strong fall

In October, purchases of durables were down (−1.1%) after growing slightly for five consecutive months. Expenditure on household durables other than cars contracted sharply (−3.0% after +1.4%), especially on audiovisual equipment, despite the upswing in communication equipment (smartphones).

Furthermore, purchases of transport equipments declined again (−0.3% after −0.2%). In particular, motorhome and caravan purchases experienced a downturn.

Textile-clothing: sharp fall

In October, expenses on textile-clothing fell sharply (−5.2%), after a three-month rise. In particular, footwear purchases decreased strongly.

Other engineered goods: almost stable

In October, expenditure on “other engineered goods” was almost unchanged (−0.1% after −0.3% in September). Consumption of personal care and perfume products decreased again.

Graph3Breakdown of engineered goods

  • Source: INSEE

Food products: moderate decline

In October 2017, purchases of food products diminished (−0.3%), after a steep rebound in September (+0.8%). The consumption of unprocessed agricultural goods (fruits and vegetables) fell markedly, while spending on agrifood products was stable. Tobacco consumption increased again after a three-month decline.

Graph4Food products, engineered goods and energy

  • Source: INSEE

The variation in September 2017 is slightly revised upwards

Compared to the previous estimate, the variation in household expenditure on goods in September 2017 is slightly revised upwards: +1.0% instead of +0.9%. Since the previous publication, new information has been integrated and the seasonal adjustment coefficients have been updated.

TableHousehold consumption expenditure on goods

Changes in %, TD-SA
Household consumption expenditure on goods (Changes in %, TD-SA) -
Weight (1) Aug. 2017 Sep. 2017 Oct. 2017 Oct. 17 / Oct. 16 Q / Q-1 (2)
Food products 38 –1.1 0.8 –0.3 –0.1 –0.6
- excl. Tobacco 35 –1.2 0.9 –0.4 0.0 –0.6
Engineered goods 45 0.2 0.2 –1.7 0.7 0.4
- Durables 22 0.0 0.4 –1.1 2.7 0.6
Including :
- Transport equipment 12 0.9 –0.2 –0.3 2.8 0.3
- Household durables 7 –1.5 1.4 –3.0 3.6 0.8
- Textile-clothing 9 0.4 0.7 –5.2 –4.1 –0.2
- Other engineered goods 13 0.3 –0.3 –0.1 0.7 0.4
Energy 17 0.4 3.3 –6.1 –4.9 0.2
- Energy, water, waste 10 0.5 1.9 –4.6 –5.8 0.5
- Refined Products 7 0.3 5.3 –8.0 –3.7 –0.2
Total 100 –0.3 1.0 –1.9 –0.6 0.0
- Including Manufactured goods 84 –0.3 0.9 –1.6 0.2 0.0
  • (1) Weighting in the consumption expenditure on goods in value in 2016
  • (2) Last three months / previous three months

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