More eyeing than buying, while waiting for the bonus

The general manager of the Hellenic Retail Business Association said that the Sunday market opening due to the Christmas holidays was a much-needed breath for keeping workplaces but also increasing revenue under the current difficult conditions.

Mr Antonis Zairis, overlooking the previous lost Sunday (the Council of State decided to keep stores closed), spoke about a market that «makes up for its losses as much as it can».

Initial estimations, however, show a positive development, but not in last year figures or the year before that. Action in the clothing and shoe sector was positive, while electrical and electronics shops regarded their business as “tentative”.
 
Athens merchants were pleased by the pre-holiday traffic, even though the belief of the members of the Traders Association was that «most of them went out for a walk without buying». The picture was similar in Piraeus, where figures seem to remain at last year’s levels, while Glyfada and Kifisia were number than ever…

Nevertheless, we must note that more hope is felt for next week, when the full Christmas bonus payment will boost purchasing activities.

Regarding prices, however, "downward” corrections are at 20-50%, by no means modest percentages. «There are a lot of bargains as long as the buyers do their research and realize that the market is aligned with the needs of our society», Mr Zairis added.