Equal year-on-year consumer spending

The CBS Consumption Radar shows that circumstances for Dutch household consumption are more favourable in June than in May and April.

Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern. This year Easter fell in March, in 2015 it was in April.

Dutch consumers spend less on food, beverages and tobacco products and on durable goods

Consumer spending on food, beverages and tobacco products was more than 1.6 percent down from one year previously. Spending on durable goods, on the other hand, was also down from one year previously. Consumers spent less on clothes, shoes and cars in particular. On the other hand, spending on home furnishing and household appliances was up.

Last week, CBS already reported that retail turnover was the same as in April 2015. Easter fell in March this year, which had a negative impact on retail turnover in April. The effect of Easter is very obvious in the food sector.

Spending in the category ‘other goods’ was slightly lower. Lastly, household spending on services - accounting for more than half of total domestic consumer spending - grew by almost 1 percent. These services include house rent, public transport, visits to restaurants or hairdressers and insurance premiums.

Consumer climate more favourable in June

CBS also publishes figures about circumstances for household consumption. Household consumption is affected by consumers’ expectations, their personal financial situation and developments on the job market.

On balance, circumstances for Dutch household consumption were more favourable in June than in April and May, according to Statistics Netherlands’ Household Consumption Radar. This is mainly because consumers are far more optimistic about future unemployment and their personal financial situation.

The numbers in this publication are provisional and can be adjusted.