In France, for the year 2011 as a whole, retailers’ textile-apparel sales fell 2.6 % in value, based on comparable surface area, in comparison to 2010. While the first-half results may have led us to believe that the worst was behind us, (+ 1.9 % at the end of June), the situation deteriorated sharply during the second half. The debt crisis and austerity measures put into place dragged down household consumption. In addition, the mild weather, which boosted spring purchases, put a damper on purchasing for the autumn-winter collections. If we take into consideration openings of sales outlets —particularly by specialty chain stores— the decline in 2011 was less severe: Based on a non-comparable surface area, textile- apparel retailers' turnover fell 1.5 % in value. In addition, for all textile-apparel products, shoes and accessories, sales only eroded slightly (- 0.4 % in value in comparison to 2010, based on a non-comparable surface area).