France hourly labour cost index: distributive trades
France hourly labour cost index: distributive trades stood at 114.1 in Q2 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Wages and labour cost table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1998 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Wages and labour cost table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour cost index | |||||||||||
| hourly costs - Distributive trades (NAF rev. 2 item G) | 114.1 | 113.5 | 113.6 | 112.4 | 111.3 | 111.2 | 110.6 | 109.3 | 109.5 | 108.5 | |
| hourly costs - Transportation and storage (NAF rev. 2 item H) | 121.5 | 121.3 | 120.4 | 119.3 | 118.6 | 118 | 118.2 | 117 | 116.2 | 115.7 |
Understanding france hourly labour cost index: distributive trades
Total employer outlays per hour worked for personnel engaged in wholesale and retail trade, alongside the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, constitute this measure. The calculation integrates base salaries, commissions, sales-linked bonuses, employer social security contributions, and payroll-based taxes, divided by aggregate hours worked. In contrast to manufacturing or utility measures, this distributive trade series reflects a commercial environment where commission structures, part-time staffing arrangements, and seasonal sales peaks heavily influence hourly remuneration.
When reading this indicator, analysts must account for recurring seasonal spikes tied to retail holiday periods, promotional events, and temporary hiring waves. Early figures are routinely updated as quarterly social security declarations replace preliminary survey models. Year-on-year evaluation proves more reliable than quarter-on-quarter tracking for identifying sustainable wage trends, as seasonal retail cycles often distort sequential movements. Direct comparisons with industrial series require caution because distributive trades rely more extensively on variable commission schemes and flexible work schedules.
Frequently asked questions
- What commercial activities fall under the distributive trades classification?
- The series covers wholesale trade, retail trade, and the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and personal goods.
- How do sales commissions affect this hourly labour cost index?
- Variable commissions and performance bonuses tied to sales volumes cause hourly compensation to fluctuate alongside commercial turnover.
- Why is year-on-year comparison recommended over quarter-on-quarter analysis for this trade series?
- Annual comparisons neutralize major seasonal retail peaks and hiring waves that repeat predictably every year.