France’s sales volume drops in June, recovers in July

France’s overall sales volume continued to decline in June 2024, down 0.7 per cent following a 0.8 per cent drop in May.

The wholesale sector, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, saw a 0.6 per cent decrease, with notable declines in machinery and fee-based wholesale trades, despite a strong recovery in agricultural raw materials (5.1 per cent).

Sales in the wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles fell by 1.6 per cent, impacted by a 3.7 per cent drop in motor vehicle parts and accessories and a 1.3 per cent decrease in motor vehicle sales.

Retail trade, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, also dropped by 0.6 per cent in June, compared to a 0.3 per cent decline in May.

Non-specialised stores saw a 1.3 per cent decrease, while specialised stores remained steady. Notably, the retail trade not in stores rose by 0.9 per cent.

Provisional data for July 2024 showed a slight 0.2 per cent increase in retail sales volume from June, with a 0.6 per cent rise from May to July compared to the previous year.

For Q2 2024, sales volume was up by 0.8 per cent year-on-year, driven by a 1.2 per cent increase in wholesale and a 1.6 per cent rise in retail, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles.

However, the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles fell by 2.3 per cent.