Household consumption almost 5 percent up in September

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

Consumers spent more on services

Consumers spent 6.6 percent more on services such as telephone and internet subscriptions, insurance, visits to hairdressers, restaurants, and football games than in September 2020. In September 2021, consumption of services was still 1.4 percent lower than in September 2019. In general, spending on services accounts for over half of total domestic consumer expenditure.

Consumers spent 3.0 percent more on durable goods in September 2021 compared to the same month last year. Spending on clothes, shoes and electrical appliances was up in particular, while spending on passenger cars and home furnishing decreased.

Consumption of other goods, such as natural gas, electricity, motor fuels and personal care, was 1.6 percent up year-on-year. Consumers spent less on energy, water and motor fuels, but considerably more on personal care. Spending on food, beverages and tobacco was 1.2 percent up from September 2020.

Three weeks ago, CBS reported year-on-year turnover growth in retail trade of 4 percent in September 2021. The volume of sales went up by 2.7 percent. The volume in the non-food sector grew by 3.5 percent relative to the same month last year, while turnover volume in the food sector remained the same. These figures have also been adjusted for the shopping-day pattern.