Better than 2021, but not 2019. Retail this summer discounts, which ends tomorrow, August 31st. The increase in tourist traffic has increased sales in some areas such as the historic center of Athens and in popular areas. travel destinations, such as Mykonos and Santorini, without, however, being able to cover the losses from reduced demand from households in Greece, as well as from the non-arrival of Russian and Chinese tourists in the country. After the sale, there are offers to dispose of any leftover products from the previous season.

According to estimates of market factors and even those coming from chains, this year’s discount turnover is estimated to be about 4-5% below 2019 levels. Greek consumers did not make many purchases in an attempt to cope with the situation. with significantly increased costs food, fuel, electricitybut also holidayand there are many who saved on the eve of winter, which promises to be extremely difficult due to the constant rise in prices for electricity and natural gas.

In particular, in Athens, a study conducted by the Athens Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Athens University of Economics and under the scientific supervision of Professor George Baltas showed that six out of ten enterprises received more money in their treasury this year compared to the corresponding period last year. 2021.

However, 21.6% of businesses said their turnover was worse than in 2021. In addition, six out of ten retailers still have significantly lower turnover this year than in 2019. One in five businesses said they had the same turnover this year as they did in 2019 and sales were 14.2% higher than before the pandemic.

Greek consumers are reticent in the face of a tough winter ahead.

The results, according to the Athens Chamber of Commerce, are significantly worse for businesses located far from the center of Athens, as well as for regional markets not affected by tourism.

As for shopping from tourists, most of them, according to retail agents who they spoke with “K”, mostly made by Americans and Israelis, and northern Europeans and tourists from the Balkan countries much less. There was, as is usually reported, no massive shopping by Chinese and Russian tourists in many stores, not just the very expensive ones in Mykonos and Santorini.

Looking ahead, retail expectations are extremely low given the prevailing precision.

It is expected that the novelties of the autumn season (clothing, school, etc.) will be on average 10-12% more expensive compared to the corresponding period last year. In fact, these increases are considered relatively low and are mainly due to the fact that several merchants were looking for alternative suppliers, and changes were made to the composition of products, mainly clothing.