Informations Rapides · 30 August 2024 · n° 218

In June 2024, sales volume in trade decreased again (‑0.7%) Sales volume in wholesale and retail trade - June 2024

In June 2024, the volume of sales in all trade sectors kept decreasing over a month (‑0.7% after ‑0.8% in May).

In June 2024*, the volume of sales in the wholesale trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles decreased again over a month (‑0.6% after ‑0.7% in May). In particular, it shrank in the “other machinery, equipment and supplies” (‑2.8% after +2.6%) and in the wholesale on a fee or contract basis (‑1.4% after +0.4%). On the contrary, it recovered sharply in the agricultural raw materials and live animals sector, although this was not enough to offset the previous month’s drop (+5.1% after ‑9.8%).

The volume of sales also kept decreasing in June 2024 in the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (‑1.6% after ‑2.0%): it fell in the sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories (‑3.7% after ‑1.9%) and in the sale of motor vehicles (‑1.3% after ‑1.9%).

Finally, in June 2024, the volume of sales in retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles dropped again, albeit with a stronger decrease than in May (‑0.6% in June compared to ‑0.3% in May). The volume of sales shrank in non-specialised stores (‑1.3% after +0.2%), decreased again in specialised stores (‑0.4%, as in May), while it recovered in the retail trade not in stores (+0.9% after ‑0.8%). Within specialised stores, the “other goods” sector (sales of pharmaceutical products, clothing, footwear, etc.) was the main contributor to the decrease in sales volume (‑0.9% after ‑0.1%), while only the “other household equipment” (sales of furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.) increased (+1.5% after ‑3.4%).

* All data are seasonally and working-day adjusted (SA-WDA).

According to early estimates, the sales volume in retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles is expected to have increased slightly in July 2024 (+0.2% over a month). From May to July 2024, it would be 0.6% higher than that of the same three months a year earlier.

The cumulative volume of sales of the second quarter of 2024 in overall trade was 0.8% higher than that of the second quarter of 2023. It increased both in the wholesale trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.2%) and in the retail trade except that of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.6%). Conversely, it decreased in the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (‑2.3%). Within the retail trade sector, it grew both in specialised stores (+1.5%), in non-specialised stores (+1.6%) and in retail trade not in stores (+2.0%).

The monthly percentage change in the overall sales volume trade in May 2024 has been revised downwards by 0.4 points compared to the previous release, and now stands at ‑0.8% (after rounding).