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Informations Rapides · 24 May 2024 · n° 126
Informations rapidesIn May 2024, the business climate has moved below its long-term average in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles Monthly survey of retailing - May 2024

In May 2024, the business climate has deteriorated in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 99, the indicator that synthesizes it has lost three points and has moved just below its long-term average (100). This decline is mainly the result of the decrease of the balances of opinion related to the ordering intentions, the expected change in the workforce size and the past sales.

Informations rapides
No 126
Paru le :Paru le24/05/2024
Prochaine parution le : 20/06/2025 at 08:45 - June 2025
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In May 2024, the business climate has deteriorated in retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles as a whole. At 99, the indicator that synthesizes it has lost three points and has moved just below its long-term average (100). This decline is mainly the result of the decrease of the balances of opinion related to the ordering intentions, the expected change in the workforce size and the past sales.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator
Business climate synthetic indicator
2024-05 99.4
2024-04 101.5
2024-03 100.3
2024-02 99.5
2024-01 103.8
2023-12 99.6
2023-11 96.5
2023-10 98.0
2023-09 102.7
2023-08 105.0
2023-07 105.7
2023-06 101.7
2023-05 96.6
2023-04 100.0
2023-03 97.5
2023-02 100.2
2023-01 99.4
2022-12 98.7
2022-11 96.1
2022-10 97.5
2022-09 96.8
2022-08 99.1
2022-07 95.4
2022-06 94.5
2022-05 94.1
2022-04 91.1
2022-03 98.7
2022-02 105.7
2022-01 104.0
2021-12 106.9
2021-11 107.9
2021-10 106.6
2021-09 108.0
2021-08 110.2
2021-07 114.2
2021-06 116.5
2021-05 107.8
2021-04 91.7
2021-03 96.4
2021-02 89.2
2021-01 93.6
2020-12 93.4
2020-11 70.7
2020-10 98.0
2020-09 98.1
2020-08 96.8
2020-07 90.4
2020-06 86.6
2020-05 61.4
2020-04 58.0
2020-03 93.6
2020-02 107.3
2020-01 106.8
2019-12 108.8
2019-11 106.7
2019-10 106.6
2019-09 107.2
2019-08 103.4
2019-07 106.1
2019-06 104.8
2019-05 104.9
2019-04 107.9
2019-03 105.1
2019-02 103.5
2019-01 102.1
2018-12 100.2
2018-11 107.5
2018-10 107.6
2018-09 110.2
2018-08 116.2
2018-07 114.0
2018-06 113.8
2018-05 113.1
2018-04 113.7
2018-03 114.6
2018-02 117.1
2018-01 117.4
2017-12 116.8
2017-11 116.3
2017-10 116.7
2017-09 113.5
2017-08 111.2
2017-07 112.1
2017-06 111.3
2017-05 107.1
2017-04 105.8
2017-03 107.9
2017-02 107.6
2017-01 108.9
2016-12 108.3
2016-11 103.3
2016-10 102.0
2016-09 102.9
2016-08 104.7
2016-07 104.6
2016-06 104.0
2016-05 106.2
2016-04 103.0
2016-03 103.9
2016-02 102.6
2016-01 104.3
2015-12 101.6
2015-11 105.2
2015-10 108.4
2015-09 106.0
2015-08 106.7
2015-07 103.2
2015-06 104.3
2015-05 103.1
2015-04 103.1
2015-03 102.2
2015-02 102.1
2015-01 98.8
2014-12 94.3
2014-11 92.7
2014-10 89.2
2014-09 88.5
2014-08 90.6
2014-07 96.7
2014-06 94.6
2014-05 96.4
2014-04 96.5
2014-03 95.4
2014-02 94.6
2014-01 95.1
2013-12 94.0
2013-11 91.9
2013-10 95.4
2013-09 97.7
2013-08 93.4
2013-07 85.3
2013-06 85.0
2013-05 83.4
2013-04 84.4
2013-03 86.4
2013-02 89.6
2013-01 84.9
2012-12 87.9
2012-11 88.2
2012-10 87.4
2012-09 85.8
2012-08 90.9
2012-07 89.2
2012-06 93.0
2012-05 90.9
2012-04 96.0
2012-03 93.3
2012-02 90.6
2012-01 88.1
2011-12 92.9
2011-11 93.8
2011-10 94.6
2011-09 93.8
2011-08 98.2
2011-07 101.4
2011-06 102.1
2011-05 104.0
2011-04 103.1
2011-03 103.8
2011-02 106.5
2011-01 106.7
2010-12 107.8
2010-11 104.3
2010-10 107.5
2010-09 105.9
2010-08 106.2
2010-07 101.0
2010-06 101.0
2010-05 101.7
2010-04 103.1
2010-03 97.8
2010-02 98.7
2010-01 98.3
2009-12 96.6
2009-11 98.2
2009-10 92.7
2009-09 90.4
2009-08 87.4
2009-07 86.0
2009-06 79.6
2009-05 80.4
2009-04 75.6
2009-03 82.4
2009-02 78.5
2009-01 77.5
2008-12 76.3
2008-11 83.9
2008-10 80.6
2008-09 96.2
2008-08 93.0
2008-07 95.3
2008-06 99.4
2008-05 103.0
2008-04 103.4
2008-03 109.4
2008-02 108.6
2008-01 110.0
2007-12 114.5
2007-11 112.7
2007-10 111.4
2007-09 111.9
2007-08 115.1
2007-07 117.1
2007-06 120.5
2007-05 114.6
2007-04 113.2
2007-03 111.0
2007-02 112.3
2007-01 107.6
2006-12 108.3
2006-11 110.8
2006-10 111.6
2006-09 110.3
2006-08 109.6
2006-07 108.0
2006-06 107.5
2006-05 105.2
2006-04 103.5
2006-03 102.2
2006-02 102.5
2006-01 103.0
2005-12 103.9
2005-11 99.5
2005-10 101.6
2005-09 98.9
2005-08 97.6
2005-07 95.8
2005-06 97.8
2005-05 101.2
2005-04 103.5
2005-03 104.1
2005-02 103.6
2005-01 105.9

Composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE

The balance of opinion related to ordering intentions has diminished

In May 2024, the balance of opinion on the ordering intentions has diminished and has moved away from its long-term average. The one on the general business outlook is stable for its part, well above its own. The balance on the past sales has sharply retreated and has moved below its long-term average, while the one on the expected sales has slightly rebounded but remains below its own.

Furthermore, the balance of opinion associated with the expected change in the workforce size has sharply retreated and has moved away from its average, while the one related to their past change has rebounded but remains below its own.

The balance of opinion associated with the current level of stocks, declining since December 2023, has rebounded and remains above its average. The bimonthly balance on the cash position has diminished again and has moved away from its own. Finally, once again, a few less business managers than in the previous month 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) Feb. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 24 May 24
Business climate 100 100 100 102 99
General business outlook -27 -24 -21 -18 -18
Recent sales -9 -13 -11 -6 -12
Expected sales -4 -8 -3 -7 -6
Ordering intentions -9 -9 -9 -9 -12
Stocks 10 17 16 14 16
Past selling prices (2) -3 - 4 - 2
Expected selling prices 0 7 5 -2 1
Cash position (2) -15 - -18 - -23
Past workforce size -1 -13 -9 -12 -6
Expected workforce size -4 -6 -8 -6 -11
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 38 36 35 31 29
  • (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
2024-05 -12.0 -11.6
2024-04 -9.2 -5.8
2024-03 -9.0 -11.0
2024-02 -8.6 -13.1
2024-01 -6.3 -0.6
2023-12 -13.5 -12.6
2023-11 -15.2 -14.2
2023-10 -11.6 -5.2
2023-09 -7.8 1.7
2023-08 -8.0 6.2
2023-07 -8.5 -1.9
2023-06 -8.8 -9.1
2023-05 -16.0 -5.8
2023-04 -11.3 -1.6
2023-03 -14.9 -5.7
2023-02 -10.4 -1.2
2023-01 -11.8 6.0
2022-12 -10.4 -1.4
2022-11 -15.4 2.1
2022-10 -8.7 -2.8
2022-09 -13.9 -4.9
2022-08 -7.4 -12.3
2022-07 -10.7 -20.4
2022-06 -12.6 -16.1
2022-05 -14.4 -12.9
2022-04 -18.7 -18.6
2022-03 -5.0 -12.4
2022-02 -3.1 -7.0
2022-01 -3.3 -4.7
2021-12 -1.6 -6.2
2021-11 -0.5 -11.0
2021-10 -3.8 -17.6
2021-09 -2.0 -11.2
2021-08 3.9 11.0
2021-07 2.6 0.3
2021-06 1.0 -2.0
2021-05 -7.2 -10.9
2021-04 -16.0 -7.4
2021-03 -8.5 -16.4
2021-02 -15.5 -14.1
2021-01 -13.4 -5.4
2020-12 -11.4 -21.8
2020-11 -37.0 7.4
2020-10 0.4 -2.1
2020-09 -6.3 6.2
2020-08 -3.9 -9.9
2020-07 -9.6 -42.0
2020-06 -13.8 -48.2
2020-05 -47.3 -56.4
2020-04 -56.4 -4.3
2020-03 -12.5 -4.4
2020-02 -0.6 1.6
2020-01 -2.8 11.1
2019-12 1.3 -1.5
2019-11 -1.0 -5.8
2019-10 -2.5 -6.3
2019-09 -3.7 0.5
2019-08 -7.8 -5.0
2019-07 -5.0 -3.7
2019-06 -7.6 -9.0
2019-05 -6.3 -10.9
2019-04 0.3 -12.9
2019-03 -2.4 -17.9
2019-02 -6.2 -10.0
2019-01 -6.4 -9.1
2018-12 -5.6 -9.1
2018-11 -0.6 -6.8
2018-10 -2.2 -8.1
2018-09 0.6 2.0
2018-08 13.4 0.3
2018-07 3.7 -2.1
2018-06 5.2 -8.7
2018-05 2.6 -6.9
2018-04 2.1 -9.7
2018-03 2.3 -8.2
2018-02 4.2 5.1
2018-01 6.3 1.9
2017-12 5.9 1.5
2017-11 7.7 -5.1
2017-10 9.3 -0.4
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 slightly rebounded

In May 2024, the balance of opinion on the expected prices has slightly rebounded and has moved just above its long-term average. The bimonthly balance on the past selling prices, declining almost continuously for a year, has diminished a bit for its part but remains above its own.

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
2024-05 1.5
2024-04 -1.7
2024-03 4.5
2024-02 7.2
2024-01 3.2
2023-12 9.1
2023-11 8.0
2023-10 13.6
2023-09 14.4
2023-08 13.9
2023-07 14.4
2023-06 18.8
2023-05 26.8
2023-04 37.0
2023-03 46.7
2023-02 45.3
2023-01 41.2
2022-12 37.3
2022-11 38.2
2022-10 44.5
2022-09 40.9
2022-08 42.2
2022-07 40.3
2022-06 41.0
2022-05 41.3
2022-04 36.1
2022-03 37.5
2022-02 35.8
2022-01 26.1
2021-12 24.9
2021-11 26.2
2021-10 23.5
2021-09 15.1
2021-08 14.4
2021-07 13.4
2021-06 10.1
2021-05 3.7
2021-04 0.5
2021-03 1.7
2021-02 -0.2
2021-01 0.3
2020-12 -3.9
2020-11 -4.0
2020-10 2.9
2020-09 1.0
2020-08 -0.1
2020-07 -2.7
2020-06 -3.6
2020-05 -8.2
2020-04 -8.1
2020-03 -1.5
2020-02 2.1
2020-01 -0.2
2019-12 3.0
2019-11 1.5
2019-10 3.9
2019-09 1.8
2019-08 -1.0
2019-07 -1.2
2019-06 -3.3
2019-05 -0.5
2019-04 2.3
2019-03 0.9
2019-02 0.3
2019-01 -2.9
2018-12 4.1
2018-11 -1.3
2018-10 -0.6
2018-09 0.3
2018-08 -1.6
2018-07 0.7
2018-06 -3.3
2018-05 -2.0
2018-04 -3.0
2018-03 -3.4
2018-02 0.9
2018-01 -3.5
2017-12 -1.6
2017-11 1.4
2017-10 3.6
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 balance on the past sales has deteriorated in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) while it has improved in trade and repair of motor vehicles

The balance associated with the past sales has sharply retreated in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has moved away from its average, while it has markedly increased in trade and repair of motor vehicles and has moved above its own.

The balance associated with the ordering intentions has diminished for its part in both sub-sectors, where it has moved away from its average.

The balance associated with the expected change in the workforce size has sharply retreated in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles) and has moved away from its long-term average; in trade and repair of motor vehicles, it has risen again and has moved away from its own.

Finally, the balance on the expected selling prices has rebounded in both sub-sectors, moving away from its average in retail trade (excluding motor vehicles), and moving closer to its own in trade and repair of motor vehicles.

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) Feb. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 24 May 24
Retail trade
General business outlook -27 -21 -21 -17 -16
Recent sales -8 -16 -11 -4 -15
Expected sales -2 -2 2 -7 -4
Ordering intentions -9 -8 -9 -7 -10
Stocks 10 17 16 14 14
Past selling prices (2) -5 - 5 - 5
Expected selling prices -2 9 8 1 4
Cash position (2) -14 - -20 - -25
Past workforce size 0 -17 -12 -13 -7
Expected workforce size -4 -9 -10 -7 -15
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 36 33 35 32 36
Trade and repair of motor vehicles
General business outlook -25 -31 -19 -20 -20
Recent sales -9 -6 -11 -11 -3
Expected sales -8 -22 -13 -7 -10
Ordering intentions -10 -11 -10 -14 -16
Stocks 12 16 16 15 21
Past selling prices (2) 5 - 3 - -5
Expected selling prices 7 3 -3 -8 -4
Cash position (2) -21 - -15 - -19
Past workforce size -7 -1 4 -7 -2
Expected workforce size -5 1 -2 1 5
Economic uncertainty felt (3) 42 43 36 31 12
  • (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 April 2024 in retail trade (including trade and repair of motor vehicles) has been revised downwards by one point (after rounding). This revision is mainly due to the inclusion of late responses from companies.

For more information

The whole sector “retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles” is composed for 70% of retail trade and for 30% 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.

Company responses were collected between 29 April and 21 May 2024.

Next issue: 21 June 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)

Pour en savoir plus

: bureau-de-presse@insee.fr
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Publication calendar

Time series : Retail trade and trade and repair of motor vehicles

Ouvrir dans un nouvel ongletThe Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys (BCS)