Consumer spending up
According to figures released by Statistics Netherlands today, Dutch consumer spending on goods and services was 1.5 percent up in April 2015 from the same month last year. Consumers spent more on natural gas, household appliances and home furnishing articles. The consumer confidence index increased further in June.
Consumption figures have been adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.
Dutch consumers spent more on natural gas, household appliances and home furnishing articles
Just as in the preceding months, consumers used more natural gas in April 2015 relative to the same month last year. As a result, spending in the category ‘other goods’, which includes energy, was up by 6 percent. Household spending on durable goods was 2 percent higher in April than in April 2014. Consumers spent more on household appliances, home furnishing articles, clothing and shoes, but less on food, drinks and tobacco products than in April 2014.
Household spending on services - accounting for more than half of total domestic consumer spending - grew by 0.9 percent. These services include house rent, public transport, visits to restaurants or hairdressers and insurance premiums.
Circumstances for consumption have improved further since April
According to Statistics Netherlands’ Household Consumption Radar, circumstances for Dutch household consumption have improved further since April. By means of six indicators, the Household Consumption Radar shows whether circumstances for Dutch consumption have become more or less favourable. Circumstances have improved in June relative to May, because Dutch consumers were far less pessimistic about their personal financial situation over the next 12 months than in May. Dutch consumers were also more optimistic about future employment than in the previous month.
Source, StatLine:
For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.