Informations rapides
30 April 2019
2019- n° 111
Household consumption expenditure on goods fell very slightly in March (−0.1%) and rose a little over the first quarter (+0.2%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - March 2019

In March 2019, household expenditure on goods fell very slightly, by 0.1% in volume*, after declining in February (−0.4%). Consumption of manufactured goods increased (+0.8%) but energy spending fell (−1.7%) as a result of relatively mild temperatures for the season. Food consumption (−0.5%) fell for the third consecutive month.

Over the first quarter as a whole, expenditure on goods rebounded slightly (+0.2% after −0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2018).

Informations rapides
No 111
Paru le :Paru le30/04/2019
Prochaine parution le : 30/04/2024 at 07:30 - March 2024

In March 2019, household expenditure on goods fell very slightly, by 0.1% in volume*, after declining in February (−0.4%). Consumption of manufactured goods increased (+0.8%) but energy spending fell (−1.7%) as a result of relatively mild temperatures for the season. Food consumption (−0.5%) fell for the third consecutive month.

Over the first quarter as a whole, expenditure on goods rebounded slightly (+0.2% after −0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2018).

Total consumption of goods

Total consumption of goods
Monthly data
2009-01 45.285
2009-02 44.671
2009-03 44.48
2009-04 44.96
2009-05 45.292
2009-06 45.485
2009-07 45.071
2009-08 44.73
2009-09 45.293
2009-10 45.373
2009-11 45.334
2009-12 46.021
2010-01 45.656
2010-02 45.443
2010-03 45.77
2010-04 45.492
2010-05 45.805
2010-06 45.305
2010-07 45.879
2010-08 45.587
2010-09 45.894
2010-10 45.928
2010-11 46.517
2010-12 46.739
2011-01 46.688
2011-02 46.913
2011-03 46.546
2011-04 45.613
2011-05 45.431
2011-06 45.806
2011-07 45.638
2011-08 45.935
2011-09 45.824
2011-10 45.656
2011-11 45.633
2011-12 45.514
2012-01 45.619
2012-02 46.265
2012-03 45.528
2012-04 45.563
2012-05 45.591
2012-06 45.694
2012-07 45.602
2012-08 45.45
2012-09 45.339
2012-10 45.451
2012-11 45.414
2012-12 45.28
2013-01 45.187
2013-02 45.447
2013-03 45.777
2013-04 45.467
2013-05 45.74
2013-06 45.271
2013-07 45.376
2013-08 45.191
2013-09 45.283
2013-10 45.341
2013-11 46.009
2013-12 45.931
2014-01 45.115
2014-02 44.939
2014-03 45.104
2014-04 45.071
2014-05 45.301
2014-06 45.452
2014-07 45.346
2014-08 45.538
2014-09 45.377
2014-10 45.33
2014-11 45.45
2014-12 46.038
2015-01 46.193
2015-02 46.093
2015-03 45.827
2015-04 46.057
2015-05 45.89
2015-06 46.399
2015-07 46.442
2015-08 46.293
2015-09 46.522
2015-10 46.529
2015-11 45.644
2015-12 46.611
2016-01 46.823
2016-02 46.639
2016-03 47.047
2016-04 47.162
2016-05 46.848
2016-06 46.946
2016-07 46.519
2016-08 46.72
2016-09 46.767
2016-10 47.415
2016-11 47.339
2016-12 47.418
2017-01 47.607
2017-02 47.124
2017-03 46.98
2017-04 47.324
2017-05 47.718
2017-06 47.571
2017-07 47.761
2017-08 47.593
2017-09 48.233
2017-10 47.092
2017-11 48.264
2017-12 47.948
2018-01 46.954
2018-02 48.197
2018-03 48.183
2018-04 47.174
2018-05 47.557
2018-06 47.659
2018-07 47.616
2018-08 48.105
2018-09 47.108
2018-10 47.565
2018-11 47.523
2018-12 46.823
2019-01 47.512
2019-02 47.339
2019-03 47.277

Total consumption of goods

  • Source: INSEE.

Engineered goods: further increase in March and rebound over the quarter

In March, manufactured good consumption increased for the third consecutive month (+0.8%), driven by durable good purchases (+1.6%). Over the whole quarter, consumption of manufactured goods bounced back (+0.8% after −1.2% in the previous quarter).

Durables: increase in March and over the quarter

Consumption of durable goods increased in March for the third consecutive month (+1.6%). In particular, it was driven by the dynamism of new and demonstration car purchases. Sales of recreational vehicles (motor homes and caravans), furnitures and household appliances were also dynamic. Over the first quarter, durable good purchases increased, after a decline in the previous quarter (+1.1% after −2.1%).

Textile-clothing: stability in March, slight increase over the quarter

Expenditure on textile and clothing were stable in March (+0.0% after +0.6%). Indeed, textile consumption fell sharply but was offset by an increase in clothing purchases. Over the first quarter, textile and clothing consumption increased (+0.6%).

Other engineered goods: virtual stability in March and rise over the quarter

In March, consumption of "other manufactured goods" barely increased (+0.1%), held back by a decrease in the sales of medicine and tyres. Perfume sales were nevertheless dynamic. Over the first quarter, consumption of "other manufactured goods" increased (+0.6% after +0.0%).

Breakdown of engineered goods

Breakdown of engineered goods
Transport equipment Clothing Other engineered goods Household durables
2009-01 5.581 4.584 5.776 2.616
2009-02 5.529 4.29 5.725 2.602
2009-03 5.62 4.397 5.718 2.603
2009-04 5.675 4.338 5.696 2.624
2009-05 6.112 4.353 5.731 2.631
2009-06 5.861 4.563 5.736 2.687
2009-07 5.78 4.282 5.754 2.693
2009-08 5.672 4.115 5.728 2.694
2009-09 5.858 4.355 5.762 2.73
2009-10 5.902 4.453 5.773 2.704
2009-11 6.27 4.327 5.771 2.702
2009-12 6.285 4.417 5.813 2.724
2010-01 5.879 4.502 5.794 2.744
2010-02 5.711 4.243 5.829 2.767
2010-03 5.891 4.418 5.866 2.799
2010-04 5.573 4.408 5.931 2.773
2010-05 5.615 4.334 5.93 2.884
2010-06 5.607 4.12 5.951 2.799
2010-07 5.542 4.656 5.968 2.768
2010-08 5.367 4.434 5.97 2.908
2010-09 5.604 4.437 6.0 2.866
2010-10 5.594 4.366 6.012 2.824
2010-11 6.068 4.468 6.039 2.828
2010-12 6.092 4.439 6.026 2.811
2011-01 6.213 4.368 6.068 2.923
2011-02 6.31 4.523 6.074 3.015
2011-03 6.194 4.433 6.082 2.992
2011-04 5.615 4.507 6.094 2.874
2011-05 5.52 4.363 6.08 2.884
2011-06 5.518 4.424 6.109 2.936
2011-07 5.525 4.241 6.101 2.945
2011-08 5.57 4.304 6.119 2.945
2011-09 5.601 4.262 6.107 2.923
2011-10 5.538 4.326 6.124 2.91
2011-11 5.753 4.285 6.117 2.866
2011-12 5.693 4.331 6.11 3.05
2012-01 5.443 4.374 6.096 2.953
2012-02 5.338 4.264 6.124 3.033
2012-03 5.519 4.489 6.118 2.96
2012-04 5.317 3.973 6.074 3.064
2012-05 5.438 4.292 6.096 3.023
2012-06 5.328 4.12 6.131 3.045
2012-07 5.216 4.239 6.152 3.037
2012-08 5.205 4.223 6.098 2.977
2012-09 5.073 4.341 6.112 3.0
2012-10 5.14 4.328 6.127 3.03
2012-11 5.125 4.253 6.099 3.059
2012-12 5.319 4.251 6.12 3.036
2013-01 4.99 4.278 6.116 3.028
2013-02 4.99 4.209 6.116 3.004
2013-03 4.919 4.176 6.112 3.068
2013-04 4.961 4.217 6.145 3.091
2013-05 5.043 4.118 6.165 3.086
2013-06 4.994 4.241 6.132 3.096
2013-07 4.981 4.247 6.161 3.067
2013-08 5.022 4.178 6.161 3.114
2013-09 4.98 4.24 6.176 3.125
2013-10 5.072 4.274 6.179 3.156
2013-11 5.106 4.371 6.195 3.118
2013-12 5.431 4.24 6.202 3.188
2014-01 4.878 4.378 6.211 3.178
2014-02 5.027 4.281 6.216 3.116
2014-03 4.985 4.357 6.243 3.121
2014-04 5.044 4.249 6.242 3.14
2014-05 4.89 4.269 6.231 3.266
2014-06 4.966 4.35 6.242 3.233
2014-07 4.919 4.344 6.255 3.297
2014-08 4.951 4.266 6.295 3.334
2014-09 4.923 4.058 6.285 3.34
2014-10 5.02 4.239 6.299 3.336
2014-11 4.993 4.302 6.322 3.346
2014-12 4.988 4.37 6.348 3.418
2015-01 4.989 4.473 6.375 3.398
2015-02 4.947 4.334 6.418 3.402
2015-03 5.022 4.307 6.408 3.367
2015-04 5.031 4.404 6.415 3.356
2015-05 5.063 4.289 6.406 3.368
2015-06 5.199 4.444 6.432 3.382
2015-07 5.192 4.349 6.413 3.452
2015-08 5.108 4.394 6.406 3.462
2015-09 5.216 4.42 6.452 3.496
2015-10 5.199 4.335 6.418 3.45
2015-11 5.212 4.114 6.405 3.365
2015-12 5.316 4.304 6.428 3.773
2016-01 5.333 4.575 6.43 3.569
2016-02 5.357 4.169 6.461 3.598
2016-03 5.469 4.203 6.453 3.735
2016-04 5.423 4.181 6.444 3.89
2016-05 5.381 4.222 6.459 3.612
2016-06 5.389 4.497 6.451 3.755
2016-07 5.39 4.21 6.456 3.484
2016-08 5.487 4.184 6.455 3.51
2016-09 5.514 4.117 6.446 3.558
2016-10 5.541 4.356 6.469 3.596
2016-11 5.77 4.205 6.487 3.582
2016-12 5.852 4.257 6.496 3.601
2017-01 5.605 4.266 6.521 3.623
2017-02 5.624 4.383 6.504 3.723
2017-03 5.667 4.362 6.528 3.698
2017-04 5.637 4.166 6.502 3.755
2017-05 5.762 4.373 6.508 3.779
2017-06 5.82 4.214 6.54 3.799
2017-07 5.802 4.286 6.538 3.87
2017-08 5.813 4.309 6.56 3.823
2017-09 5.757 4.554 6.566 3.858
2017-10 5.82 4.084 6.554 3.821
2017-11 5.782 4.379 6.587 3.979
2017-12 5.94 4.284 6.566 3.82
2018-01 5.707 4.223 6.557 3.825
2018-02 5.796 4.31 6.546 3.837
2018-03 5.878 4.236 6.555 3.865
2018-04 5.923 4.337 6.578 3.799
2018-05 5.972 4.251 6.565 3.866
2018-06 5.937 4.258 6.562 3.965
2018-07 5.906 4.299 6.583 3.896
2018-08 6.426 4.301 6.582 3.916
2018-09 5.85 4.188 6.573 3.89
2018-10 5.921 4.242 6.589 3.94
2018-11 5.82 4.249 6.568 4.057
2018-12 5.564 4.241 6.574 3.898
2019-01 5.76 4.253 6.598 3.997
2019-02 5.814 4.278 6.62 4.022
2019-03 5.95 4.276 6.624 4.043

Breakdown of engineered goods

  • Source: INSEE.

Energy: sharp decrease in March, increase over the quarter

In March, energy consumption fell sharply for the second consecutive month (−1.7% after −3.2%). As in the previous month, gas and electricity consumption decreased sharply (−2.1%), as a result of relatively mild temperatures for the season. Fuel consumption also fell (−1.2%). Over the first quarter, energy consumption increased (+0.9%).

Breakdown of energy

Breakdown of energy
Refined Products Energy, water, waste
2009-01 4.36 4.843
2009-02 4.339 4.743
2009-03 4.304 4.573
2009-04 4.36 4.636
2009-05 4.313 4.554
2009-06 4.323 4.569
2009-07 4.293 4.573
2009-08 4.084 4.6
2009-09 4.169 4.577
2009-10 4.148 4.553
2009-11 4.171 4.401
2009-12 4.279 4.641
2010-01 4.027 4.882
2010-02 4.302 4.778
2010-03 4.149 4.694
2010-04 4.27 4.628
2010-05 4.151 4.813
2010-06 4.115 4.594
2010-07 4.199 4.586
2010-08 4.117 4.615
2010-09 4.182 4.644
2010-10 4.167 4.749
2010-11 4.185 4.737
2010-12 4.079 5.048
2011-01 4.214 4.589
2011-02 4.168 4.452
2011-03 4.093 4.455
2011-04 4.022 4.126
2011-05 3.853 4.415
2011-06 4.026 4.551
2011-07 4.0 4.538
2011-08 4.168 4.567
2011-09 4.068 4.528
2011-10 4.003 4.472
2011-11 3.951 4.397
2011-12 3.839 4.385
2012-01 4.02 4.423
2012-02 4.069 5.207
2012-03 4.011 4.193
2012-04 3.939 4.936
2012-05 4.061 4.559
2012-06 4.113 4.555
2012-07 3.999 4.561
2012-08 3.98 4.568
2012-09 3.926 4.587
2012-10 3.992 4.596
2012-11 4.044 4.713
2012-12 3.85 4.518
2013-01 3.893 4.673
2013-02 3.957 4.818
2013-03 3.976 4.911
2013-04 4.061 4.969
2013-05 4.1 4.871
2013-06 3.883 4.669
2013-07 3.911 4.602
2013-08 3.872 4.557
2013-09 3.826 4.589
2013-10 3.861 4.279
2013-11 3.87 4.821
2013-12 3.905 4.527
2014-01 3.834 4.233
2014-02 3.797 4.231
2014-03 3.815 4.135
2014-04 3.823 4.143
2014-05 3.749 4.412
2014-06 3.862 4.331
2014-07 3.828 4.349
2014-08 3.86 4.346
2014-09 3.892 4.307
2014-10 3.861 4.027
2014-11 3.769 4.138
2014-12 3.983 4.33
2015-01 3.884 4.429
2015-02 3.859 4.583
2015-03 3.825 4.311
2015-04 3.882 4.237
2015-05 3.801 4.281
2015-06 3.888 4.312
2015-07 4.017 4.355
2015-08 3.908 4.332
2015-09 3.916 4.431
2015-10 3.87 4.659
2015-11 3.769 4.12
2015-12 4.002 3.877
2016-01 3.877 4.206
2016-02 3.962 4.319
2016-03 3.968 4.481
2016-04 3.933 4.657
2016-05 4.146 4.402
2016-06 3.666 4.42
2016-07 3.917 4.368
2016-08 4.003 4.369
2016-09 3.959 4.346
2016-10 3.978 4.636
2016-11 4.038 4.513
2016-12 4.014 4.455
2017-01 4.015 4.804
2017-02 3.942 4.179
2017-03 3.924 4.024
2017-04 3.958 4.361
2017-05 4.034 4.422
2017-06 4.02 4.381
2017-07 4.031 4.397
2017-08 4.02 4.414
2017-09 4.17 4.526
2017-10 3.811 4.239
2017-11 3.985 4.55
2017-12 4.1 4.557
2018-01 3.927 4.092
2018-02 3.978 4.882
2018-03 4.025 4.704
2018-04 3.98 4.253
2018-05 3.977 4.324
2018-06 3.979 4.339
2018-07 3.919 4.364
2018-08 3.95 4.361
2018-09 3.869 4.332
2018-10 4.038 4.303
2018-11 3.981 4.393
2018-12 3.778 4.238
2019-01 4.02 4.528
2019-02 4.01 4.262
2019-03 3.961 4.171

Breakdown of energy

  • Source: INSEE.

Food products: decrease in March and over the quarter

In March, food consumption fell for the third consecutive month (−0.5%). Indeed, the dynamism of agricultural product purchases was offset by the fall in tobacco consumption, following the rise in tobacco prices. Over the whole quarter, food consumption fell sharply (−1.0%).

Food products, engineered goods and energy

Food products, engineered goods and energy
Food products Energy Engineered goods
2009-01 16.444 9.195 19.731
2009-02 16.335 9.08 19.352
2009-03 16.129 8.887 19.524
2009-04 16.482 9.007 19.552
2009-05 16.479 8.88 19.976
2009-06 16.534 8.904 20.086
2009-07 16.506 8.875 19.747
2009-08 16.673 8.671 19.451
2009-09 16.641 8.743 19.946
2009-10 16.658 8.698 20.044
2009-11 16.497 8.584 20.251
2009-12 16.683 8.922 20.438
2010-01 16.61 8.926 20.156
2010-02 16.634 9.087 19.809
2010-03 16.703 8.852 20.235
2010-04 16.688 8.903 19.95
2010-05 16.798 8.976 20.083
2010-06 16.874 8.716 19.753
2010-07 16.898 8.79 20.207
2010-08 16.867 8.74 20.003
2010-09 16.895 8.833 20.19
2010-10 16.988 8.925 20.063
2010-11 16.963 8.931 20.628
2010-12 17.049 9.145 20.586
2011-01 17.025 8.817 20.839
2011-02 17.038 8.636 21.193
2011-03 16.978 8.561 20.965
2011-04 17.025 8.168 20.371
2011-05 16.977 8.275 20.154
2011-06 16.906 8.587 20.309
2011-07 16.952 8.546 20.142
2011-08 16.943 8.748 20.26
2011-09 17.017 8.606 20.205
2011-10 16.962 8.486 20.201
2011-11 16.96 8.358 20.29
2011-12 16.724 8.231 20.505
2012-01 16.992 8.455 20.159
2012-02 16.996 9.243 20.042
2012-03 16.913 8.231 20.357
2012-04 16.972 8.849 19.754
2012-05 16.846 8.627 20.11
2012-06 17.068 8.68 19.949
2012-07 17.095 8.562 19.945
2012-08 17.11 8.549 19.796
2012-09 17.019 8.508 19.813
2012-10 16.937 8.588 19.924
2012-11 16.832 8.753 19.834
2012-12 16.901 8.362 20.005
2013-01 16.947 8.552 19.69
2013-02 17.094 8.757 19.602
2013-03 17.351 8.864 19.573
2013-04 16.747 9.009 19.713
2013-05 17.077 8.96 19.71
2013-06 16.974 8.539 19.76
2013-07 17.125 8.505 19.748
2013-08 16.994 8.422 19.776
2013-09 17.073 8.402 19.809
2013-10 17.205 8.152 19.982
2013-11 17.267 8.666 20.078
2013-12 17.147 8.43 20.349
2014-01 17.078 8.067 19.97
2014-02 16.954 8.027 19.957
2014-03 17.147 7.954 20.004
2014-04 17.118 7.97 19.983
2014-05 17.175 8.152 19.975
2014-06 17.17 8.191 20.091
2014-07 17.029 8.173 20.143
2014-08 17.17 8.204 20.165
2014-09 17.247 8.199 19.932
2014-10 17.21 7.897 20.222
2014-11 17.247 7.909 20.292
2014-12 17.255 8.317 20.466
2015-01 17.31 8.313 20.57
2015-02 17.21 8.442 20.441
2015-03 17.242 8.136 20.449
2015-04 17.399 8.119 20.539
2015-05 17.329 8.082 20.479
2015-06 17.405 8.2 20.794
2015-07 17.324 8.372 20.746
2015-08 17.366 8.239 20.688
2015-09 17.252 8.348 20.922
2015-10 17.293 8.529 20.707
2015-11 17.352 7.889 20.402
2015-12 17.561 7.879 21.171
2016-01 17.487 8.076 21.253
2016-02 17.465 8.276 20.898
2016-03 17.411 8.454 21.187
2016-04 17.319 8.608 21.245
2016-05 17.315 8.536 21.006
2016-06 17.415 8.108 21.417
2016-07 17.377 8.285 20.857
2016-08 17.419 8.366 20.938
2016-09 17.505 8.301 20.96
2016-10 17.501 8.628 21.294
2016-11 17.411 8.553 21.382
2016-12 17.411 8.469 21.542
2017-01 17.443 8.849 21.339
2017-02 17.445 8.102 21.567
2017-03 17.456 7.917 21.587
2017-04 17.615 8.314 21.391
2017-05 17.519 8.45 21.753
2017-06 17.483 8.392 21.698
2017-07 17.514 8.419 21.83
2017-08 17.329 8.428 21.843
2017-09 17.497 8.685 22.066
2017-10 17.417 8.05 21.613
2017-11 17.657 8.544 22.068
2017-12 17.361 8.655 21.949
2018-01 17.301 8.003 21.653
2018-02 17.511 8.882 21.81
2018-03 17.579 8.738 21.87
2018-04 16.996 8.223 21.971
2018-05 17.296 8.294 21.976
2018-06 17.312 8.311 22.047
2018-07 17.334 8.282 22.009
2018-08 17.24 8.307 22.578
2018-09 17.079 8.201 21.84
2018-10 17.219 8.329 22.029
2018-11 17.136 8.37 22.031
2018-12 17.216 8.017 21.594
2019-01 17.051 8.546 21.919
2019-02 17.04 8.27 22.053
2019-03 16.959 8.128 22.229

Food products, engineered goods and energy

  • Source: INSEE.

The variation in February is unchanged

Compared to the previous estimation, new information has been integrated and the seasonal adjustment coefficients have been updated without revising the change of February (−0.4 %).

Household consumption expenditure on goods

Changes in %. TD-SA
Household consumption expenditure on goods (Changes in %. TD-SA )
Weight (1) Jan 2019 Feb 2019 Mar 2019 Mar 19 / Mar 18 Q / Q-1 (2)
Food products 37 -1.0 -0.1 -0.5 -3.5 -1.0
- excl. Tobacco 34 -1.0 0.0 0.2 -3.4 -0.8
Engineered goods 44 1.5 0.6 0.8 1.6 0.8
- Durables 22 2.7 0.8 1.6 2.3 1.1
Including :
- Transport equipment 12 3.5 0.9 2.3 1.2 1.3
- Household durables 7 2.5 0.6 0.5 4.6 1.4
- Textile-clothing 9 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.9 0.6
- Other engineered goods 13 0.4 0.3 0.1 1.1 0.6
Energy 18 6.6 -3.2 -1.7 -7.0 0.9
- Energy. water. waste 10 6.8 -5.9 -2.1 -11.3 0.2
- Refined Products 9 6.4 -0.2 -1.2 -1.6 1.6
Total 100 1.5 -0.4 -0.1 -1.9 0.2
- Including Manufactured goods 84 1.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.2
  • (1) Weighting in the consumption expenditure on goods in value in 2017
  • (2) Last three months / previous three months
  • Source: INSEE

For more information

*Volumes are measured at chain-link previous year prices (2014 euro billions) and all figures are trading-day and seasonally adjusted.

Scope and definition - Consumption expenditure on goods is compliant with the national-accounts definition (NAF Rev. 2). In 2010, they accounted for half of total households’ consumption expenditure. They are divided into three main items:

Food: products of agriculture, forestry and fishing (AZ), food, drinks and tobacco (C1)

Energy: mining products, as well as water, gas, electricity and air conditioning, sanitation and waste management (DE), and refined and coked products (C2).

Engineered goods: computers, electronic, electrical and optical goods (C3), transport equipment (C4), textiles and clothing, products made of leather, wood, paper, metals, plastic, rubber, chemicals, minerals, furniture, hardware, drugs (C5). Within this heading are distinguished “durable” goods which include transport equipment, household durables (furniture, household appliances, etc.) and other durable goods (jewelry, watches, glasses, medical devices, etc.).

The manufactured goods correspond with all the products C1, C2, C3, C4, C5.

Sources: This indicator is the compilation of a variety of statistical sources issued by the Bank of France, the French Federation of Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA), the Department of Data and Statistical Studies (SDES), the French Institute of Fashion (IFM), the National Health-Insurance Administration (CNAM), the National Federation of Rubber and Plastics Industries (SNCP), the Board of Oil (CPDP), GFK, Logista, the International Union Committee of Automobile and Motorcycle (CSIAM), etc. Figures are seasonally and trading-days adjusted (TD-SA).

Next publication: 29 May 2019 at 8:45 am

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