Household consumption in decline

Household spending on goods and services was 2.3 percent down in January 2013 from January 2013. Domestic household consumption has been continuously down from twelve months previously for eighteen months now. Consumption figures have been adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Consumer spending on durable items was 11.9 percent below the level of January 2012. Cars, home furnishing and household articles in particular were less in demand. Household spending on food, drinks and tobacco was 1.7 percent lower, but consumer spending on other goods (e.g. energy and motor fuels)was 1.4 percent up. Due to the cold weather, households used more energy. Spending on services was 0.3 percent below the level recorded twelve months previously.

By means of six indicators, the Household Consumption Radar shows whether circumstances for Dutch household consumption have become more or less favourable and which factors played a crucial part in these developments. March’s  Household Consumption radar shows that circumstances have improved slightly in March 2013.

Domestic household consumption (volume, adjusted for shopping-days)