Trade sales fell 0.4% in May 2024 – Quick Information – 193

Sales volumes across all trade sectors fell 0.4% month-on-month in May 2024, following a 1.1% increase in April.

In May 2024*, sales in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles fell in a month (-1.8% vs. +1.2% in April). All subsectors recorded declines, with motor vehicle sales (-2.0% vs. +1.0% in April) contributing the most to the decline.

In May 2024, wholesale trade sales excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles also fell (-0.3% after +1.5% in the previous month). Sales of agricultural raw materials and live animals fell sharply (-9.2% after +2.1% in the previous month), and sales of household goods fell slightly (-1.6% after +3.5% in the previous month). In contrast, sales of “other machinery, equipment and supplies” rebounded sharply (-1.2% after +5.0%).

Finally, in May 2024, sales in the retail trade remained largely stable after stabilizing in April, with the exception of motor vehicles and motorcycles (-0.1%). Sales in specialized stores fell back (-0.3% after +0.2% in the previous period), while sales in non-specialized stores fell again (-0.8% after -1.0% in the previous period), while sales in non-specialized stores started to grow again (+0.5% after stabilization). In specialized stores, the decline in sales was mainly due to “other household equipment” (sales of furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.: -3.1% after +0.4% in the previous period).

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

According to preliminary estimates, retail trade sales excluding cars and motorcycles are expected to fall again in June 2024 (-0.2% month-on-month). In the second quarter of 2024, this figure will be 1.9% higher than in the second quarter of 2023.

Cumulative sales volumes in the overall trade during the reporting period (March-May 2024) were 1.5% higher than in the same period last year. Growth was recorded in wholesale trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.8%) and retail trade excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles (+1.8%). In contrast, cumulative sales volumes in trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles fell (-0.5%). Within the retail trade sector, growth was recorded in specialized stores (+1.8%), non-specialized stores (+1.7%) and non-in-store retail trade (+1.3%).