Athens
09
01
2023
ECONOMY

Winter sales to start on Monday, continue until February 28

The Winter Sales period in Greece begins today, on Monday, January 9 and will continue until February 28, with shops staying open during the first Sunday of the sales period, on January 15, from 11:00 to 20:00.
The Winter Sales period in Greece begins today, on Monday, January 9 and will continue until February 28, with shops staying open during the first Sunday of the sales period, on January 15, from 11:00 to 20:00.

The head of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of the Regional Chambers' Council of Attica Vassilis Korkidis said the retail sector expects to see lively interest from consumers over the next two months.

"In spite of the noose of high prices and inflation, the previous year ended with an increase in consumption that was, in fact, close to 12 pct, while it is estimated that overall turnover during the holidays increased in December to 4.0 billion euros from 3.6 billion euros in previous years. From a recent survey of markets in Attica, it appears that the priorities during the holiday period were for clothing and shoes for 55 pct of consumers, for 45 pct the priority was food, toys for for 43 pct and cosmetics for 37 pct, followed by technology products for 28 pct, brand-bame goods for 25 pct, drinks for 22 pct and various gifts for 20 pct," Korkidis said. These preferences were expected to remain the same during the winter sales, he added, though with a greater emphasis on brand-name goods and more purchases of household appliances.

"This year's winter sales are taking place at a singular time when the economy has been strengthened while the government continues to support households and businesses, a fact that raises the expectations of retailers," Korkidis said, noting that the extended period of sales will also help drive down inflation and give people time to choose their purchases.

At the same time, he noted that retailers were justifiably concerned about high energy costs and also the cost of restocking, given that the prices of a series of products had risen in January. He also cited ELSTAT figures showing that the retail sector had suffered losses exceeding 3.5 billion euros in the last two years of winter sales, with eight in 10 small and medium-sized merchants reporting lower turnover than they had before the pandemic.

"We begin the winter sales of 2023 with the goal of reaching and even surpassing the turnover of 5.5 billion euros in the first two months of 2019," Korkidis said.