30 October 2018

2018- n° 289

Household consumption expenditure on goods fell sharply in September (−1.7%) and went up over the third quarter (+0.6%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - September 2018

In September 2018, household expenditure on goods fell by 1.7% in volume*, after rising in August (+1.1%). This drop was due to the sharp decline in manufactured good consumption (−2.5%), energy spending (−1.2%) and food consumption (−0.9%).

Over the whole third quarter, household consumption expenditure on goods recovered compared with the previous quarter (+0.6% after −0.3%).

In September, expenditure on engineered goods suffered the repercussions of the previous month's strong rise (−2.5% after +2.7% in August), that was partly due to the anticipation of the tightening of the new car approval tests in Europe on September 1^st.

Over the whole quarter, expenditure on engineered goods increased again (+1.1% after +1.0%).

Consumption of durables decreased strongly in September (−4.7% after +5.2%), mainly because of the fall in transport equipement sales (−7.9%), particularly new cars. Expenditure on household durables decreased (−0.3% after +0.5%).

Over the whole quarter, expenditure on durable goods increased for the second consecutive quarter (+1.7% after +1.6%).

Expenses on textile-clothing fell slightly in September (−0.5% after +0.1%), especially due to the decline in shoe sales.

Over the whole quarter, textile-clothing consumption slowed down (+0.2% after +0.8%).

The consumption of “other engineered goods” was almost stable in September (−0.1%), after several months of limited growth.

Over the whole quarter, expenses in “other engineered goods” increased slightly (+0.5% after +0.2%).

In September, food consumption declined again (−0.9% after −0.5% in August). In particular, consumption of agriculture products decreased significantly. Tobacco consumption declined for the second consecutive month.

Over the whole third quarter, food consumption was practically stable (+0.1%), after two quarters of decline.

In September, energy consumption fell back (−1.2% after +0.4% in August). Gas and electricity consumption decreased (−0.6%), as well as refined products spending (–1.8%)

Over the quarter, expenses on energy increased slightly (+0.4% after −2.2%).

Compared to the previous estimation, the change of household expenditure on goods in August 2018 was revised upwards: +1.1% instead of +0.8%. Indeed, new information has been integrated and the seasonal adjustment coefficients have been updated.