Consumers spent slightly more in April than a year earlier. As in previous months, they spent more on services, but less on goods, reports Statistics Netherlands. Households bought fewer items of furniture, household appliances, clothing and shoes. Less food, drink and tobacco were also bought.
Total household consumption was 0.3% higher in April than twelve months earlier. Consumers spent 3.5% more on services such as insurance, public transport and a visit to a restaurant, event or hairdresser than in April 2022. Spending on services accounts for more than half of total household consumer spending by families.
Less
People spend 4.6% less on food, drink and tobacco. Spending on durable goods was also 4.1% lower. Consumers also consumed 2.1% fewer other goods, such as energy, in April. Although it was colder than April 2022, households consumed less gas.
Statistics Netherlands also notes that conditions for consumption in May were less favorable than in April. This was due to the fact that the year-on-year decline in the prices of existing owner-occupied homes was greater and the increase in the employed labor force was less than in the previous month.
Source: BNR
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