Household consumption still in decline

Household spending on goods and services was 2.2 percent down in February 2013 from February 2012. In January, consumption had declined by 2.3 percent. Consumption figures have been adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Household spending on all goods and services was lower in February. The volume of spending on durable items was 6.1 percent below the level of February 2012. Cars, household appliances, leather products and shoes in particular were less in demand. Household spending on food, drinks and tobacco was 0.3 percent down, whereas consumer spending on other goods (e.g. energy and motor fuels) declined by 5.8 percent. Spending on services was 0.6 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. April’s  Household Consumption radar shows that circumstances for consumption were less unfavourable in April than in March.

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