Households cautious about spending

Household spending on goods and services was 2.6 percent lower in December 2009 than in December 2008. In November, household spending was 3.2 percent down on November 2008. Household consumption has been below the level of one year previously for twelve months. Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Household spending on services was 1.3 percent lower than in November 2008. Household spending on goods was down by 4.0 percent. The decline in spending on goods and services was somewhat smaller than in November.

Households spent far less on durable consumer goods compared to twelve months ago. The slight increase in spending on textile, clothing and furniture constituted an exception. Opticians suffered a decline in turnover in December 2009, partly because sales of spectacles soared in December 2008, when there was a last chance to claim tax benefits. For the last eighteen months, households have spent less on food, beverages and tobacco than in the same month one year previously.

Domestic household consumption (volume)