Spending on clothing and textiles increased 0.3 per cent in August after a 0.6 per cent rise in July. Purchases of durable goods also rose 0.3 per cent after gaining 0.4 per cent, while consumption of “other engineered goods” increased 0.2 per cent, the same pace as in July, INSEE said in a press release.
It attributed the further rise in durable goods to transport equipment purchases, which increased 1.4 per cent after a 1.6 per cent rise, particularly new vehicles. In contrast, household durables declined again, down 0.3 per cent after a 2.7 per cent fall, due to lower household appliance purchases after a peak in May and June.
France household goods consumption fell 0.5 per cent month on month in August 2026, after a revised 0.4 per cent rise in July.
Textile-clothing spending still increased 0.3 per cent, though slower than July’s 0.6 per cent gain.
Energy weakness drove the decline, while engineered goods and durable goods continued to rise.
The fall in energy expenditure was driven by a downturn in purchases of petroleum products amid further increases in fuel prices. The rise in other engineered goods was driven by higher purchases of hygiene and health products.
INSEE revised July 2026 household goods consumption down by 0.1 percentage points to 0.4 per cent instead of 0.5 per cent after rounding. The institute said the revision followed the integration of new information and updates to seasonal adjustment and working-day adjustment coefficients.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
