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Informations Rapides · 23 August 2024 · n° 206
Informations rapidesIn August 2024, the business climate has slightly rebounded in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - August 2024

In August 2024, the business climate has slightly rebounded in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 96, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained two points but remains below its long-term average (100). This improvement is mainly due to the increase in the balances related to the ordering intentions and to the general business outlook.

Informations rapides
No 206
Paru le :Paru le23/08/2024
Prochaine parution le : 23/01/2025 at 08:45 - January 2025
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In August 2024, the business climate has slightly rebounded in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles overall. At 96, the indicator that synthesizes it has gained two points but remains below its long-term average (100). This improvement is mainly due to the increase in the balances related to the ordering intentions and to the general business outlook.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2024-08 96.5
2024-07 94.1
2024-06 99.4
2024-05 100.9
2024-04 102.1
2024-03 101.3
2024-02 100.4
2024-01 104.0
2023-12 99.8
2023-11 97.1
2023-10 98.3
2023-09 102.6
2023-08 103.1
2023-07 104.3
2023-06 101.3
2023-05 98.0
2023-04 100.6
2023-03 97.9
2023-02 101.3
2023-01 99.8
2022-12 99.4
2022-11 96.8
2022-10 97.9
2022-09 96.5
2022-08 97.5
2022-07 94.5
2022-06 94.1
2022-05 95.4
2022-04 91.3
2022-03 99.5
2022-02 107.0
2022-01 104.7
2021-12 107.6
2021-11 109.0
2021-10 106.7
2021-09 108.0
2021-08 108.7
2021-07 114.0
2021-06 115.5
2021-05 108.1
2021-04 91.8
2021-03 96.6
2021-02 90.0
2021-01 94.1
2020-12 93.7
2020-11 70.7
2020-10 98.4
2020-09 98.1
2020-08 94.5
2020-07 90.1
2020-06 85.5
2020-05 60.9
2020-04 57.9
2020-03 93.2
2020-02 107.5
2020-01 106.7
2019-12 109.0
2019-11 106.9
2019-10 106.6
2019-09 107.2
2019-08 100.3
2019-07 106.5
2019-06 104.0
2019-05 105.1
2019-04 108.3
2019-03 104.5
2019-02 103.2
2019-01 101.4
2018-12 99.6
2018-11 107.1
2018-10 107.2
2018-09 110.3
2018-08 113.6
2018-07 114.7
2018-06 113.2
2018-05 113.4
2018-04 113.8
2018-03 113.9
2018-02 116.8
2018-01 116.8
2017-12 116.5
2017-11 116.2
2017-10 117.0
2017-09 113.6
2017-08 111.3
2017-07 112.1
2017-06 111.3
2017-05 107.2
2017-04 105.8
2017-03 108.1
2017-02 107.9
2017-01 109.2
2016-12 108.5
2016-11 103.2
2016-10 102.0
2016-09 103.0
2016-08 104.8
2016-07 104.7
2016-06 104.2
2016-05 106.4
2016-04 103.0
2016-03 104.1
2016-02 102.6
2016-01 104.3
2015-12 101.7
2015-11 105.4
2015-10 108.6
2015-09 106.2
2015-08 106.9
2015-07 103.3
2015-06 104.5
2015-05 103.3
2015-04 103.4
2015-03 102.4
2015-02 102.4
2015-01 99.1
2014-12 94.4
2014-11 92.8
2014-10 89.2
2014-09 88.3
2014-08 90.5
2014-07 96.8
2014-06 94.6
2014-05 96.4
2014-04 96.5
2014-03 95.4
2014-02 94.7
2014-01 95.2
2013-12 93.9
2013-11 92.0
2013-10 95.4
2013-09 97.8
2013-08 93.4
2013-07 85.1
2013-06 85.0
2013-05 83.4
2013-04 84.4
2013-03 86.4
2013-02 89.6
2013-01 84.7
2012-12 87.9
2012-11 88.2
2012-10 87.3
2012-09 85.7
2012-08 91.0
2012-07 89.3
2012-06 93.1
2012-05 90.9
2012-04 96.0
2012-03 93.3
2012-02 90.6
2012-01 88.0
2011-12 92.9
2011-11 93.9
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 93.9
2011-08 98.3
2011-07 101.3
2011-06 102.0
2011-05 104.0
2011-04 103.2
2011-03 103.8
2011-02 106.7
2011-01 106.9
2010-12 108.1
2010-11 104.4
2010-10 107.8
2010-09 106.1
2010-08 106.5
2010-07 101.1
2010-06 101.3
2010-05 101.9
2010-04 103.3
2010-03 97.8
2010-02 98.7
2010-01 98.2
2009-12 96.5
2009-11 98.3
2009-10 92.7
2009-09 90.3
2009-08 87.3
2009-07 86.0
2009-06 79.3
2009-05 80.3
2009-04 75.2
2009-03 82.6
2009-02 78.2
2009-01 77.2
2008-12 75.9
2008-11 84.2
2008-10 80.4
2008-09 96.7
2008-08 93.0
2008-07 95.5
2008-06 99.7
2008-05 103.4
2008-04 103.6
2008-03 110.0
2008-02 109.1
2008-01 110.4
2007-12 114.9
2007-11 112.9
2007-10 111.6
2007-09 112.0
2007-08 115.4
2007-07 117.5
2007-06 120.9
2007-05 114.8
2007-04 113.6
2007-03 111.3
2007-02 112.7
2007-01 107.8
2006-12 108.5
2006-11 111.0
2006-10 111.8
2006-09 110.4
2006-08 109.8
2006-07 108.2
2006-06 107.8
2006-05 105.4
2006-04 103.7
2006-03 102.3
2006-02 102.7
2006-01 103.2
2005-12 104.2
2005-11 99.7
2005-10 101.9
2005-09 99.3
2005-08 97.9
2005-07 95.9
2005-06 98.0
2005-05 101.4
2005-04 103.7
2005-03 104.3
2005-02 103.8
2005-01 106.2

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE

The balance of opinion related to the ordering intentions has recovered

In August 2024, the balance related to the ordering intentions has recovered but remains below its long-term average, as well as the balances related to the past and expected sales. The one on the general business outlook has also rebounded and lies at the level of its own.

Besides, the balances of opinion associated with the recent and expected changes in the workforce size are almost stable, below their average.

The balance associated with the current level of stocks is stable and lies just above its average.

Finally, business managers are significantly less numerous than the previous month to consider that the evolution of their business situation is difficult to forecast.

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) May 24 June 24 July 24 Aug. 24
Business climate 100 101 99 94 96
General business outlook -27 -19 -24 -30 -27
Recent sales -9 -10 -15 -18 -16
Expected sales -4 -4 -7 -12 -10
Ordering intentions -9 -9 -9 -15 -13
Stocks 10 17 13 12 12
Past selling prices (2) -3 1 - 1 -
Expected selling prices 0 1 0 2 -1
Cash position (2) -15 -22 - -25 -
Past workforce size -1 -4 -8 -7 -7
Expected workforce size -4 -9 -8 -9 -8
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 38 36 33 38 33
  • (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
2024-08 -12.9 -16.2
2024-07 -15.4 -18.2
2024-06 -8.6 -15.3
2024-05 -9.2 -10.4
2024-04 -8.1 -5.3
2024-03 -8.4 -9.8
2024-02 -7.6 -13.5
2024-01 -6.4 -0.9
2023-12 -12.4 -11.9
2023-11 -14.8 -14.5
2023-10 -12.4 -5.4
2023-09 -8.3 1.0
2023-08 -10.9 6.0
2023-07 -8.5 -1.3
2023-06 -8.8 -8.1
2023-05 -13.6 -5.6
2023-04 -10.3 -1.1
2023-03 -14.5 -4.6
2023-02 -9.1 -1.4
2023-01 -12.0 5.9
2022-12 -9.5 -0.7
2022-11 -15.4 2.0
2022-10 -9.9 -3.1
2022-09 -14.6 -5.6
2022-08 -10.5 -12.7
2022-07 -10.6 -20.3
2022-06 -13.0 -15.6
2022-05 -12.4 -13.0
2022-04 -17.8 -18.4
2022-03 -4.6 -11.3
2022-02 -2.0 -7.3
2022-01 -3.5 -5.0
2021-12 -1.1 -5.7
2021-11 -0.5 -11.3
2021-10 -5.1 -18.1
2021-09 -2.5 -11.8
2021-08 0.0 10.7
2021-07 3.5 0.5
2021-06 0.8 -1.5
2021-05 -5.1 -10.8
2021-04 -14.3 -7.1
2021-03 -8.1 -15.3
2021-02 -14.5 -14.3
2021-01 -13.5 -5.4
2020-12 -11.1 -21.4
2020-11 -36.8 7.6
2020-10 -0.5 -2.6
2020-09 -6.2 6.0
2020-08 -8.5 -10.2
2020-07 -7.8 -41.8
2020-06 -13.6 -47.8
2020-05 -44.9 -56.3
2020-04 -54.6 -3.9
2020-03 -12.4 -3.6
2020-02 -0.1 1.3
2020-01 -3.2 10.8
2019-12 1.2 -1.4
2019-11 -1.2 -5.8
2019-10 -3.2 -6.6
2019-09 -3.0 0.4
2019-08 -13.3 -5.2
2019-07 -2.6 -3.7
2019-06 -7.6 -9.1
2019-05 -4.4 -10.9
2019-04 2.3 -12.9
2019-03 -2.7 -17.4
2019-02 -5.9 -10.3
2019-01 -7.0 -9.4
2018-12 -6.0 -8.9
2018-11 -0.9 -6.7
2018-10 -2.4 -8.3
2018-09 1.9 1.9
2018-08 7.7 0.3
2018-07 6.6 -2.1
2018-06 5.6 -8.7
2018-05 4.4 -6.8
2018-04 3.8 -9.9
2018-03 1.8 -7.9
2018-02 4.2 4.7
2018-01 5.5 1.6
2017-12 5.4 1.5
2017-11 7.6 -4.9
2017-10 9.8 -0.5
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 retreated

In August 2024, the balance of opinion on the expected selling prices has retreated and has moved back slightly below its long-term average.

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
2024-08 -1.3
2024-07 1.8
2024-06 0.4
2024-05 1.1
2024-04 -1.8
2024-03 5.2
2024-02 7.9
2024-01 3.9
2023-12 9.8
2023-11 9.3
2023-10 14.1
2023-09 12.8
2023-08 13.2
2023-07 13.9
2023-06 17.3
2023-05 26.3
2023-04 37.0
2023-03 47.2
2023-02 46.0
2023-01 41.8
2022-12 38.1
2022-11 39.7
2022-10 45.2
2022-09 39.6
2022-08 41.8
2022-07 40.1
2022-06 40.1
2022-05 41.3
2022-04 36.1
2022-03 38.1
2022-02 36.3
2022-01 26.5
2021-12 25.5
2021-11 27.4
2021-10 24.1
2021-09 14.0
2021-08 13.9
2021-07 13.0
2021-06 9.2
2021-05 3.7
2021-04 0.5
2021-03 2.1
2021-02 0.0
2021-01 0.5
2020-12 -3.4
2020-11 -3.0
2020-10 3.3
2020-09 0.0
2020-08 -0.5
2020-07 -3.0
2020-06 -4.2
2020-05 -8.1
2020-04 -8.1
2020-03 -1.2
2020-02 2.4
2020-01 -0.1
2019-12 3.4
2019-11 2.2
2019-10 4.4
2019-09 1.0
2019-08 -1.3
2019-07 -1.4
2019-06 -3.8
2019-05 -0.7
2019-04 2.4
2019-03 1.0
2019-02 0.7
2019-01 -2.9
2018-12 4.4
2018-11 -0.9
2018-10 -0.2
2018-09 -0.3
2018-08 -1.8
2018-07 0.5
2018-06 -3.6
2018-05 -2.2
2018-04 -2.8
2018-03 -3.3
2018-02 1.3
2018-01 -3.6
2017-12 -1.5
2017-11 1.6
2017-10 4.0
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 increase of the balance of opinion on the ordering intentions is more pronounced in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles)

The balance associated with the ordering intentions has rebounded in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), reaching its average, while it is almost stable in trade and repair of motor vehicles and remains below its own. Concerning the general business outlook, the changes of the balances are similar in both sub-sectors: they have increased again.

The balances on the past and expected sales have diminished in trade and repair of motor vehicles and have moved away from their average, while they have rebounded in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and have moved closer to their own.

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) May 24 June 24 July 24 Aug. 24
Retail trade
General business outlook -28 -19 -25 -30 -27
Recent sales -8 -14 -17 -21 -14
Expected sales -2 -1 -4 -12 -6
Ordering intentions -9 -7 -7 -12 -9
Stocks 10 15 11 9 11
Past selling prices (2) -5 4 - 5 -
Expected selling prices -2 3 1 3 0
Cash position (2) -14 -23 - -23 -
Past workforce size 0 -4 -9 -8 -8
Expected workforce size -4 -12 -9 -10 -9
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 36 33 41 35
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
General business outlook -25 -20 -19 -31 -28
Recent sales -9 -2 -11 -14 -21
Expected sales -8 -11 -12 -12 -17
Ordering intentions -10 -13 -11 -21 -20
Stocks 12 21 16 17 15
Past selling prices (2) 5 -5 - -8 -
Expected selling prices 6 -4 -2 0 -4
Cash position (2) -21 -21 - -29 -
Past workforce size -7 -5 -4 -3 -3
Expected workforce size -5 3 -1 -5 -3
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 42 37 33 33 28
  • (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 July 2024 in retail trade (including trade and repair of motor vehicles) has not been revised (after rounding).

For more information

The whole sector “retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles” is composed for 66% of retail trade and for 34% 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.

The responses of this survey were collected between 26 July and 20 August 2024; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

Next issue: 20 September 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)

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