More than 1/3 small grocery stores and individuals food stores were “lost” in the period 2010-2021, which confirms the increasing dominance of supermarkets in retail food even in the Greek market, which, compared to the European market, is characterized by a relatively low degree of concentration. The decisive role in this development, in the fact that there are 2,286 fewer small grocery stores than eleven years ago, was played, in addition to a wider change in consumer habits, by the economic crisis, which led to the fact that several small enterprises went bankrupt. forced lock. At the same time, of course, another phenomenon has been developing in recent years, the entry of large supermarket chains into the so-called small retail, with the development of a chain of mini-markets with extended opening hours, a chain that is mainly developed through a franchising system.

According to her IRI research company, although in 2010 there were 6,394 individual grocery stores, in 2021 their number decreased to 4,108, i.e. by 35.75%. At the same time, the number of supermarkets has increased from 2,520 stores in 2010 to 2,700 in 2021. In fact, it is worth noting that these figures do not include the number of supermarkets located on the islands, which have increased significantly in recent years due to the great development of tourism. If discount chain stores are included, which are essentially also supermarkets (218 stores), the actual number of supermarkets is close to 3,000. also Dia (ss soft disker). Aldi left the Greek market in 2010 and Dia Hellas was acquired by Carrefour-Marinopoulos the same year.

Significant decline in the period 2010-2021 also recorded in the number of self-service stores (mainly mini-markets): from 6,778 in 2010 they decreased to 5,434 in 2021, i.e. a decrease of 1,344 stores or about 20%. .

In the period 2011-2013. recorded the largest number of “castles” of small grocery stores.

The catalytic role played by the ten-year economic crisis is evidenced by the fact that in the period 2011-2013. the number of individual catering outlets by about 600 per year, after which the number of these points will decrease to a lesser extent.

Despite the fact that organized food retail chains are increasingly strengthening their presence in food retail by integrating butchers, fishmongers, vegetable growers and, of course, bakery products into their stores, they care, especially in large retail outlets, about the development of these sections even more , while they are now also expanding into the catering category, even offering canteens and more than just ready-to-eat meals that someone can pick up for consumption at home.

Finally, the reduction in the number of so-called convenience stores from 12,262 in 2010 to 7,550 in 2021 is important. degrees are more modern, with a better offer of products and services.