intermediate discounts done away with, long live medium-term sales! This situation prevails in Retailbecause, despite the fact that, finally this year, with Law 4965/2022, the constant request of the commercial world – or at least a large part of it, namely the abolition of the institution of intermediate discounts, commercial enterprises – are mainly retail chains , but not only them – shopping centers and shopping parks operate with offers and discounts, which they also call intermediate (or basically use the English term mid-season sales or mid-season Offers). Tomorrow Sunday, because shops are allowed to open from 11 am. until 20:00, as on the first Sunday of intermediate sales.

Of course, these offers may not have a 15-day duration, as is the case with interstitial sales, and are often limited to four days or a week, but in essence they show the need for the retailer to try to “warm up” the market. a market that is “frozen” under the weight of inflationary pressures.

In the same sense, many businesses have started advertising for a few days already. Black Fridaywhich this year falls on Friday, November 25th. While there will be no coronavirus lockdowns this year for the first time since 2019, the commercial world is wary of the “self-restraints” that households themselves are imposing on household budgets as they begin cutting what is considered elastic spending. Recall that last year, entry to commercial stores was allowed only upon presentation of a certificate of vaccination, illness from COVID-19 or a rapid test for the unvaccinated, while in November 2020, physical stores did not work due to the introduction of a second lockdown on the 7th.

Traders are trying to “warm up” the market, which is “frozen” under the weight of inflationary pressure.

According to the latest available information Hellenic Statistical Office (ELSTAT) o Sales in the clothing and footwear sector fell by 0.5% in August 2022 compared to August 2021, while turnover increased by only 2.7%, while department stores also recorded a slight decrease of 0.1%.

When it comes to mid-term deals these days, major appliance and appliance chains advertise discounts ranging from 50% to 70%, while appliance chains offer discounts ranging from 20% to 30%. In clothing and footwear, offers range from 30% to 70%.

However, the fact that the Ministry of Development suddenly decided to allow shops to work tomorrow, November 6, once again caused a dispute between small and medium-sized retail enterprises and retail chains. The Hellenic Confederation of Trade and Enterprise (ESEE), together with the General Confederation of Professional Craftsmen of Greece (GSEVEE), strongly disagreed and demanded that the law be repealed. On the other hand, the Hellenic Association of Retailers (SELPE) reports that it is pleased to announce that stores are open tomorrow and states that “retailers will have excellent offers on a variety of products with the best service and respect for the consumer society.”