Household consumption nearly 3 percent up in June

The CBS Consumption Radar shows that circumstances for Dutch household consumption in August are, on balance, about as favourable as in June.

Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Dutch households mainly spend more on cars and electrical appliances

In June 2018, consumer spending on durable goods, such as cars and electrical appliances, was up by over 4 percent. In addition, consumers spent over 3 percent more on the category ‘other goods’, such as energy and water. Spending on food, beverages and tobacco was over 2 percent up year-on-year.

Last week, CBS already reported that retail turnover was 3 percent up in June year-on-year. The volume of sales increased by nearly 3 percent. This figure was also adjusted for the shopping-day pattern.

Lastly, consumer spending on services - accounting for over half of total domestic consumer expenditure - rose by over 2 percent in June 2018. These services include house rent, public transport, visits to restaurants or hairdressers and insurance premiums.

Consumer climate in August as favourable as in June

CBS publishes figures about circumstances for household consumption on a monthly basis in the CBS Consumption Radar. Household consumption is affected by consumers’ expectations, their personal financial situation and developments on the labour market. Although the Radar indicators show a strong correlation with household consumption, improved circumstances are not necessarily translated into increased growth.

According to the CBS Consumption Radar, circumstances for Dutch household consumption in August are more or less as favourable as in June. The year-on-year rise in share prices was larger in August’s radar. On the other hand, the growth of the employed labour force was smaller than in June.