France Household Spending Tops Forecasts in May

Household consumption of goods in France unexpectedly increased by 0.5% month-on-month in July 2026, exceeding market estimates of a stall and following an upwardly revised 0.6% rise in the previous month. It was the third consecutive month of growth in household spending, mainly boosted by a rise in engineered goods (0.5% after remaining stable in June). Spending on durable goods accelerated (0.8% vs 0.2%), while spending on other engineered goods eased (0.3% vs 0.4%). Spending on textile and clothing products continued to fall (-0.2% vs -1.2%). Energy consumption rose, though at a slower pace (0.8% vs 1.5% in June), driven by spending on fuel and, to a lesser extent, on electricity. July 2026 was the warmest month ever recorded in France. Food consumption also eased (0.2% vs 0.7%), driven by a recovery in agri-food consumption, especially dairy products and drinks. On an annual basis, household consumption rose 1.4% in July.

Household consumption of goods in France unexpectedly increased by 0.4% month-on-month in June 2026, exceeding market estimates of a 0.1% drop and following a downwardly revised 0.3% rise in the previous month. It was the second consecutive month of growth in household spending, mainly boosted by a rise in energy consumption (1.4% vs 2.5% in May), due to a further increase in electricity consumption and a rebound in unleaded petrol consumption. Additionally, food consumption rebounded (0.6% vs -0.3%), driven by a recovery in agri-food consumption, especially beverages. By contrast, spending on engineered goods fell 0.2% after remaining stable in the previous month. Spending on durable goods was stable after edging down 0.1%, while spending on other engineered goods was virtually stable (0.1% vs -0.8%). Spending on textile and clothing products, however, fell back (-1.4% vs 1.3%). On an annual basis, household consumption ticked up 0.1% in June.

Household consumption of goods in France grew by 0.5% month-on-month in May 2026, exceeding market estimates of 0.2% and recovering from a 0.5% fall in the previous month. Energy expenditures rebounded (2.3% vs -3.2% in April), driven by the sharp rebound in gas and electricity consumption following a particularly hot April. Meanwhile, spending on engineered goods eased markedly to 0.1% from 0.4% in April, while food consumption remained stable after declining 0.2% in April. Spending on durable goods rebounded (0.7% vs -0.4%), while purchases of textile and clothing products partially reversed (-0.3% vs 1.5%), as did spending on other engineered goods (-0.6% vs 1.2%). On an annual basis, household consumption rose 0.3% in May.