France non-food general retail trade stocks: all products
France non-food general retail trade stocks: all products stood at 7.4 Balance of opinion (%) in Sep 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the INSEE business surveys table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1991 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the INSEE business surveys table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | |||||||||||
| Monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles - Stock level for the time of the year - All products of non-food general retail trade | 7.4 | 10.7 | 11.7 | 11.5 | 15.8 | 9.9 | 14.1 | 10.9 | 11 | 15.1 | |
| Monthly survey in retail trade and in trade and repair of motor vehicles - Stock level for the time of the year - Income: Food | 4 | 11.2 | 13.7 | 12.3 | 19 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 14.2 | 13 | 21.5 |
Understanding france non-food general retail trade stocks: all products
Merchants operating non-food retail establishments assess whether their current showroom and warehouse inventories are abnormally high, normal, or low for the specific time of the year. This indicator isolates stock evaluations for general merchandise outside the food, pharmaceutical, and fuel categories, distinguishing non-consumable goods from grocery or automotive stocks. Respondents evaluate inventory burdens relative to their own historical seasonal benchmarks rather than reporting absolute tonnage or financial valuation totals.
Interpreting inventory balances requires caution because unseasonal weather or sudden shifts in consumer demand can rapidly render accumulated stocks excessive or insufficient. Early estimates may experience minor revisions as late-reporting commercial participants submit their questionnaires. Analysts should examine these stock readings alongside order intent metrics to determine whether inventory accumulation stems from planned restocking or unexpected sales slowdowns.
Frequently asked questions
- How do respondents judge whether their stock level is normal?
- They evaluate inventory against typical seasonal patterns expected for that specific time of year.
- Does this series cover specialized medical or fuel inventories?
- No, those categories are tracked under separate survey classifications.
- What does a high inventory balance typically signal?
- It suggests slower-than-expected sales or intentional buildup ahead of projected seasonal demand.