The activity of the sector recorded contrasting developments with inflation which, while contributing to the growth of turnover, affects the level of volumes sold. The recruitment problem, as for her, is exacerbated with 84% of wholesale companies concerned.
The Confederation of Wholesalers of France (CGF) has just published the results of the wholesale trade activity barometer for the second quarter of 2023. Piloted with the Xerfi Specific institute, this barometer covers several key indicators that assess the health of the entire sector, but also of each of the five large families studied : building, agricultural and food products, manufactured products, automobile spare parts and health. The sector's turnover increased timidly by 5% in the second quarter, one year apart, bringing the annual trend to +8,6 %. Inflation mechanically contributes to the increase in the turnover of the profession, but increasingly affects the level of volumes sold, customers being forced to restrict their purchases to support inflationary effects. A trend particularly observable for agricultural and food products for which inflation reaches +15%. Rates of progress vary greatly depending on the sector : +1,5% for the building, +7% for health, +8% for automobile spare parts and +9% for agricultural and food products
Increasing recruitment difficulties
The second quarter of 2023 is marked by a 17% rebound in companies reporting recruitment difficulties, i.e. a total of 84% of wholesale companies, compared to 67% in the first quarter. in parallel, and despite uncertain prospects, wholesale trade continues to be a sector that is recruiting with hiring intentions strengthening for 26% of companies.
Payment delays and defaults on the rise again
While payment deadlines and defaults stagnated or even decreased in previous quarters, these are clearly on the rise again in the context of slowing growth. Conversely, logistics costs which had reached peaks in 2022 (confinement in China, Ukrainian crisis, rise in raw materials…) continue their downward trend. Consequently, business leaders remain mixed on the outlook. Almost as many of them expect, in the coming months, to an increase (30 %) than a decrease (27 %) of their activity.
