After having fallen about 3 % in value in 2008 and 2009, French textile-apparel consumption was almost back on an even keel in 2010. While first-quarter results for 2011 could lead us to believe that the recovery was on its way, (+ 1.9 % in value), the changing context this past summer caused a radical turnaround in this trend. The debt crisis and widespread implementation of austerity measures in Europe took a heavy toll on second-half consumption of clothing and textile articles. During 2011 as a whole, textile-apparel consumption decreased, for the fourth consecutive year, to the order of approximately 3 % in value, based on comparable surface area. Since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, consumers have ultimately cut back on the volume of their purchases, which has taken toll on retailers’ turnover.