ECONOMY

ESEE considers extending sales, changing hours

Vassilis Korkidis, the president of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE), handed out pieces of the group?s Vasilopita (New Year?s Cake) on January 10 before admitting that, as the market pie is shrinking, commerce in Greece must revise its mode of operation.

?The market?s existing operational framework has had its day; it doesn?t serve anyone anymore and will have to be revised with great care by determining the rules that will serve the current and future needs of Greek consumers on a new basis,? Korkidis stated in the first ESEE meeting for 2011.

The gathering discussed the issue of shops opening for a second Sunday every year, probably before Easter, as well as changes to the existing sales and offers system and weekly opening hours.

A key proposal concerns moving the start of the winter sales period forward from January 15 to January 1, while another provides for opening hours to include afternoon hours when they are now usually closed, with a later initial opening time.

Korkidis told Kathimerini that tradesmen must make decisions that will then turn into legislation.

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