The president of the consular chamber took stock of economic activity in the department, alongside Fabrice Bugnon-Murys, departmental director of the Banque de France.
Lozerian companies are “resilient” facing the national economic context, but the situation still remains delicate in the face of the crisis of confidence displayed since the start of the year, both by business leaders and by Lozère consumers.
This is in part the message carried this Friday, October 4, 2024 by Thierry Julier, president of the Lozère chamber of commerce and industry, and Fabrice Bugnon-Murys, departmental director of the Bank of France. They both took stock, side by side, of the economic situation in the department.
The savings rate “increased by 2.24% over one year”
If there is one figure that illustrates this paradox well, it is the level of savings of Lozériens. Recorded last July, “it increased in one year by 2.24%”according to the departmental services of the Banque de France. “This shows the crisis of household confidence, analyzes Thierry Julier, but it also indicates the capacity to consume which is positive”.
For Fabrice Bugnon-Murys, “today we have a certain margin in household consumption”. And both the latter and the companies “have a certain margin of maneuver to invest”. Because, on the business side, these “have more liquidity”. Especially since business failures are down by 17.5%”, a level “lower than pre-Covid level”.
Overall, turnover is up 1.4%
Therein lies the paradox, targeted by the president of the CCI Lozère, who refuses to speak of an economic crisis. “The Lozère economy is more in a crisis of confidence than in a crisis.” As proof, he cites the results of the department’s major economic sectors since the start of the year.
“As of June 30, total turnover was up 1.4%”he emphasizes. Industry? “It is a reassuring sector, which sees its volume of activity in terms of turnover increase by 2.90%.” Construction? She is also progressing,6.90%, compared to 7% for the whole of 2023.
Tourists consumed less this summer
In reality, the concerns relate to commerce and CHR (cafes, hotels, restaurants). The business saw its turnover drop by 4%. “That’s the big weak point,” recognizes Thierry Julier. “Consumption patterns have changed, we must transform ourselves”, supports Fabrice Bugnon-Murys.
As for CHR activity, it contracted by 2.60%. “This is the consequence of consumers’ reflex of restraint”deciphers the president of the CCI, who recalls that the number of visitors, in the department, “has, this summer, increased compared to 2023”. Tourists were present, but they consumed less.
