Consumers spent slightly more in April than a year earlier. As in previous months, they spent more on services, but less on goods, Statistics Netherlands reports. Households bought less items for home furnishings, electrical appliances, clothing and shoes. Food, drinks and tobacco were also bought less.
Total household consumption was 0.3 percent higher in April than twelve months previously. Consumers spent 3.5 percent more on services such as insurance, public transport and a visit to a restaurant, events or hairdresser than in April 2022. Spending on services accounts for more than half of total domestic consumer spending by households.
Fewer
People spent 4.6 percent less on food, drinks and tobacco. Spending on durable goods was also 4.1 percent lower. Consumers also consumed 2.1 percent less other goods, such as energy, in April. Although it was colder than in April 2022, households consumed less gas.
Statistics Netherlands also notes that conditions for consumption in May were less favorable than in April. This was because the year-on-year decline in prices of existing owner-occupied homes was larger and the increase in the employed labor force was smaller than in the previous month.
