18 Posts in Shopping & Retail

Hours will be  from 11:00 am to 20:00, announced the Athens trade association SELPE on Wednesday.

The store is one of only 10 such stores in Europe, serving as a vote of confidence by Apple to the iStorm prospects in Greece. The store opening marks the continuing interest of Quest Group, owners of iStorm, in investing in the Greek and Cypriot markets. iStorm is the only Apple Premium Partner – APP retail store chain dedicated to Apple products in Greece and Cyprus.

At the same time, the Ministry of Development is intensifying controls on the market in order to prevent the phenomena of misleading discounts, with the priority being the protection of consumers from unfair commercial practices. In this context, the Interdepartmental Market Control Unit (DIMEA) imposed fines totaling 1.44 million Euros on 3 large electrical and electronic sales chains (Plaisio Computers, Public and Praktiker) as it was found in its checks to be in violation of Article 15 of Law 4177/2013, as applicable, and in application of YA 35935/2023 "Code of ethics on the announcement of a reduced price during a discount period".     "Misleading practices at the expense of consumers are not tolerated," the Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, said in a statement and announced that "controls will be intensified in the next period". The minister emphasized, among other things, that "the imposition of fines proves to citizens and society that the market is not uncontrolled, that the market is controlled. That our own government is in favor of the free market but not the unregulated market". He said that the purpose "is not to punish or harm the chains. Our aim is to uphold the law and protect the consumer. And I want to tell you that this worked, because as soon as the fines were imposed, the virtual discounts also disappeared." Mr. Skrekas noted: "We will not allow anarchy in the market, we will be merciless with lawbreakers." Problematic in the commercial world     Focusing on the new code of ethics regarding the announcement of a reduced price during the sales period, Makis Savvidis, vice-president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and vice-president of GRECA, speaking to APE-MPE pointed out: "the government is doing the right thing and imposing fines on businesses for fictitious discounts". He emphasized that "the main concern of the trade is to ensure that there are no unfair practices by some who take the work from those who operate legally and properly. The controls of the ministry are in the right direction and aim to ensure the proper functioning of the market. Those businesses that make irregularities should be stopped because the only thing they achieve is to operate at the expense of the healthy businesses that make up the vast majority."     Regarding the fines of 1.44 million euros by DIMEA on the three major retail companies for misleading discounts, the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vassilis Korkidis said: "as long as they are confirmed, they were well imposed, regardless of whether they are due to an omission or a mistake, since companies of such size and reputation must set a good example in the application of the law and of course in consumer protection. However, I must mention that delinquency in the Greek market in recent years does not exceed 5%, showing professional maturity, but also the necessary respect for the customer, who is also the strictest punisher".     It is recalled that according to the code of conduct on the announcement of a reduced price during the sales period which entered into force last April and incorporates a relevant Community directive, it is provided that in each price reduction announcement the previous price applied by the trader for a specified period of time before application of the price reduction. Previous price means the lowest price applied by the merchant during the 30-day period before the price reduction was applied. When the product has been on the market for less than 30 days, the previous price is the lowest price applied by the merchant during the time the product has been on the market. Where the price is progressively reduced during the 30 days prior to the application of the price reduction, the previous price shall mean the price in force prior to the application of the first of the successive price reductions. High temperatures and low turnovers     Speaking to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, Makis Savvidis, vice-president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and vice-president of GRECA, pointed out that "the very high temperatures that prevailed during the first weeks of the summer sales and also on Sunday, July 16, when the shops were open, acted as a deterrent. Reduced traffic, combined with inflationary pressures and the limited disposable income of consumers have led commercial enterprises to a loss of turnover estimated to reach 30%.     "The malls, superstores and department stores, were probably the most profitable of the first days of sales, due to the large air-conditioned common areas, which seem to have attracted more consumers for their purchases," said the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vassilis Korkidis. According to him, the first two weeks of sales, which are traditionally the best in purchasing traffic, were "burnt" by the high temperatures of July, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.     "Retail trade is once again called upon to overcome the obstacles of persistent inflation, but also the problems of this year's heat wave. What is certain is that the summer sales still have a long way to go until the end of August, while the retail trade will be called on in September to make the final cash register of the results of this summer's turnover and sales volume," underlined Mr. Korkidis.     The goal of the retail trade this summer is for the total turnover of the two months of July-August to move above last year's threshold of 6.6 billion euros and to exceed 7 billion euros this year. According to Mr. Korkidis, in the retail trade, current sales have strengthened since the beginning of the year, recording an annual increase of 12.7%. Specifically, from the latest data of ELSTAT, it appears that the Region of Attica shows, after the Region of the South Aegean with 15%, the largest increase in turnover with 13.3%. At the same time, the amount of stocks is deescalating, while the evolution of sales in the last period shows that they fluctuate monthly steadily at 3.55 billion euros. It is noted that of the 3.55 billion euros, 1.24 billion euros correspond to the small and medium-sized retail trade, while if we exclude food and fuel, then the monthly turnover does not exceed 1 billion Euros. The increase in turnover in the two months of July-August is also based on the increased tourist flows, during the summer sale period, where foreign visitors enter the sum of the turnover with "imported consumption". This explains compared to other markets of Attica, according to Mr. Korkidis, the increased traffic in the center of Athens, as well as the areas with greater tourist flows, at least before the big destructive fires broke out.  

Specifically, the association reminds the consumers that the stores, according to the law, can optionally open on Sunday 16th July from 11.00 to 18.00.

Moreover, on Sunday, July 16th, stores will be open throughout the country from 11:00 to 20:00. "During both the sales and the opening of the stores on Sunday, July 16th, the retail businesses will display a wide variety of their products at extremely attractive and favorable prices," the announcement added.

Running through Saturday, this year’s installment is being celebrated by more than 100 bookstores across the country and includes over 150 events, including presentations and talks by popular writers and illustrators. Apart from underscoring the passion and knowledge that independent booksellers bring to the business, and the way they bring together people who share the passion of reading, the event also seeks to showcase the work of a new generation of writers and illustrators, as well as reaching out to children.

This is the platform through which citizens can submit applications to receive the financial aid to cover part of the increased household costs during the months from February to July 2023. In this way, 'Market Pass' aims to alleviate the consequences that the increase in the consumer price index has brought to households. "Beneficiaries are approximately 85% of Greek households," government spokesman, Yiannis Economou, said on Monday during a press briefing.

More specifically, 56% of fashion e-shops reported an increase in revenue, up from 47% in 2021, with a 43% saying business results were positive in 2022. Greek representatives of the fashion sector (clothing and footwear) remained optimistic over the current year, with a 40% expecting conditions to improve and only 2% saying conditions would worsen. A 12% is certain that conditions will be definitely better in 2023. A 50% of fashion e-shops said they planned to keep prices unchanged in 2023, a 37% plans to raise prices by 6-10%.

Complaints from consumers can be made on the kataggelies.mindev.gov.gr platform and concern infringements within Greece, within the European Union and outside the European Union. The platform gives a choice of seven different categories on which consumers can submit a complaint, either giving their name or anonymously: consumer goods, services, banking services, insurance and other financial services, debtor information companies, debt settlement and personal data protection. Complaints can be submitted regarding consumer goods, such as foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food supplements etc, but complaints can also be submitted over food safety issues, rules of commerce (weights, misleading advertising, interpretation of legislation), as well as for counterfeit products, personal data protection services, and other matters which are not all within the Development and Investments Ministry's remit.

The same announcement said that the first Sunday of the winter sales, namely 15 January, the commercial shops will be open throughout the country from 11:00 to 20:00. "During the winter sales, the retail businesses will offer a wide range of products at very low prices with respect, excellent service and respect to the consumers," SELPE underlined.   More information: Shopping in Athens

Until January 1, the renewed Omonoia Square will also shine in Christmas splendor. The square will be transformed into a "winter wonderland". The capital's new commercial and entertainment institution will fill the city center with glitter and more vibrancy, offering delicious treats, selected gifts, music and lots of fun for young and old during a series of special events. The official opening of the Omonoia Christmas Market took place on Sunday afternoon with the inauguration of the Christmas Market by the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis: "Omonia is back. Who would have thought it? Who could have imagined three, four, five years ago that we would all come together to celebrate Christmas in Omonoia? The street is open again after the renovation. A road that we all walk along together. And I want to say a big thank you to everyone who supports us, everyone who helps us, everyone we work with. And of course to Brown Hotels, but also to Mr. Hondo, who kept Omonoia going during the difficult days. Blessings to all of you. May our children be happy. Merry Christmas."

The Acropolis Museum offers its visitors a range of one-of-a-kind souvenirs for festive gifts, such as charms, decorative items and Christmas balls, all available in the Museum Shops. LUCKY CHARM 2023 Gold-plated brass necklace and table charm depicting a helix. This year’s lucky charm is ideal for a gift to your loved one, inspired by the helix which forms at the peak of the sima (roof gutter) of the Hekatompedon, the great temple built around 570 BC, about 120 years prior to the construction of the Parthenon. The sima crowned the pediment of the temple and it can be seen in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery. Price necklace: 35.00€ | Price table charm: 37.00€ | Designer: Kostas Dimopoulos   ORNAMENT POMEGRANATE This ornament is inspired by the pomegranate that Kore Acr. 593 holds in her left hand as an offering to the goddess Athena. The pomegranate's numerous seeds have made it a symbol of fertility, abundance, prosperity and good luck. It dates back to around 580-570 BC and it can be seen in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.   Price: 23.00€ | Designer: Treis Grammes     ORNAMENT DOVE This ornament is inspired by the dove held as an offering to the goddess Athena by the "Lyon Kore" (Acr. 269). This Kore takes her name from the fact that the original of her upper body is located in Lyon, France. It dates back to around 540 BC and is exhibited in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.   Price: 25.00€ | Designer: Treis Grammes ORNAMENT QUINCE This ornament is inspired by the quince that Kore Acr. 680 holds in her outstretched hand. The ancients considered the quince to belong to the apple family and, because of its many seeds, a symbol of fertility. The "Kore with a quince" dates back to 530-520 BC and is exhibited in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.   Price: 25.00€ | Designer: Treis Grammes   ORNAMENT APPLE This decorative item is inspired by the apple that Kore Acr. 677 holds in her hand as an offering to the goddess Athena. The apple was a fruit associated with love, marriage and fertility. The "Kore with an apple" dates back to 570-560 BC and is exhibited in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.   Price: 25.00€ | Designer: Treis Grammes ORNAMENT WHEEL This porcelain ornament is inspired by a small brass wheel, a dedication made by an unknown person in the 6th century BC to the Sanctuary of the Acropolis. The exhibit can be seen in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery (showcase 19). Price: 19.00€ | Designer: Treis Grammes Ceramics ORNAMENT BELLS These ceramic bells have been decorated with designs inspired by those seen on the painted clay sprindle whorls (weaving weights) that brides-to-be dedicated to the Sanctuary of Nymphe on the slopes of the Acropolis. The originals are exhibited in the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis (showcase 6, no 128).   Price: 19.00€ | Designs: Dots, Leaves | Designer: Attiko Fos ORNAMENT POMEGRANATES The decoration of these ceramic pomegranates is inspired by the painted designs on the clay sprindle whorls (weaving weights) that brides-to-be dedicated to the Sanctuary of Nymphe on the slopes of the Acropolis. The originals are exhibited in the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis (showcase 6, no 128).   Price: 20.00€ | Designs: Chess, Leaves | Designer: Attiko Fos ORNAMENT EYE The design of this ceramic table charm is inspired by the eyes depicted on a clay jar used as a container for aromatic oil. The huge eyes which frame a lion on the vessel’s surface had a protective character that is the power to drive away evil. The original dates back to 500-475 BC and is exhibited in the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis (showcase 6, no 23). Price: 24.00€ | Designer: Attiko Fos ORNAMENT SMALL FIGURINE Φ Ceramic ornament inspired by a small female figurine of the Mycenaean period. The original is a type of figurine called Phi (Φ), as their shape resembles the corresponding letter of the Greek alphabet. Their presence on the Acropolis is probably associated with a goddess of fertility, possibly Athena, to whom they were offered as gifts. The original dates back to 1375-1190 BC and is exhibited in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery (showcase 2, no 9). Price: 22.50€ | Designer: Attiko Fos ORNAMENT SMALL FIGURINE Ψ Ceramic ornament inspired by a small female figurine of the Mycenaean period. The original is a type of figurine called Psi (Ψ), as their shape resembles the corresponding letter of the Greek alphabet. Their presence on the Acropolis is probably associated with a goddess of fertility, possibly Athena, to whom they were offered as gifts. The original dates back to 1225-1050 BC and is exhibited in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery (showcase 2, no 14). Price: 22.50€ | Designer: Attiko Fos ORNAMENT CERAMIC BALL Ceramic ornament with design inspired by the decoration on clay spindle whorls that were dedicated to the Sanctuary of Nymphe in the 6th century BC. The originals are exhibited in the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis (showcase 6, no 128).   Price: 24.00€ | Designer: Attiko Fos More Information: Acropolis Museum Shop