French household consumption up slightly in September

Despite inflation, the French continue to heat up their credit cards. Household consumption in France rebounded by 1.2% in September, after a stable month of August (+0.1%), reported Friday the National Institute of Statistics (Insee).

“This increase is mainly due to the increase in the consumption of manufactured goods (+2.2%) and energy (+2.9%). Conversely, food consumption is falling again (-0.7%)”, specifies INSEE. Consumption of manufactured goods was driven in particular by purchases of durable goods, such as equipment for housing or cars, as well as by spending on clothing (+6%).

Energy consumption is on the rise again

“Over the whole of the third quarter of 2022, household consumption of manufactured goods was almost stable (+0.1%)”, indicates INSEE. Energy consumption, which was down slightly the previous month, rebounded strongly “probably in connection with the reinforcement of the pump discount” of the government of 30 centimes per liter, launched on September 1. To this aid was also added a discount of 20 centimes per liter at TotalEnergies service stations.

On the other hand, food consumption, already down 1.2% in August, remains at half mast in the context of inflation. Over the quarter as a whole, it fell by 1.6%. “The decline mainly concerns the consumption of agricultural products”, notes INSEE in September.

Fewer cigarettes and fresh products

Many fresh products such as meat or eggs are indeed among the foods most affected by rising prices, according to a study published last week by panelist Nielsen.

INSEE also notes that tobacco consumption is “falling again”. Compared to September 2021, household consumption expenditure is down 3%.

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