Modern-day “Waterloo” for businessmen in Athens and Thessaloniki

Things look rough for this year and the game is almost lost commercially-wise for the year 2011, with both Athens and Thessaloniki marking a sales decrease of up to 30% compared to last year.

Christmas shopping this year was down by 30% compared to the same period in 2010, something which could be an indicator of what is to follow in the New Year and how many more shops might close.

Both the capital, Athens, and Thessaloniki in the north, have done very badly in the commercial field. Especially in Athens, many were the voices that blamed the Municipality, characteristically saying that they lacked support and the necessary preparations for this shopping period.

However, the shining example seems to be Piraeus, mainly thanks to the actions taken by the local Mayor Vassilis Michaloliakos, who thought of creating a special venue in the city centreincluding an ice skating arena.

In any case, commercial connoisseurs are talking of a wave of businesses closing down, in particular within the first month of 2012, as a result of the low sales in December 2011.