Shoppers look, but do not buy
The first Sunday of the winter sales period, which was a working day for most retailers, witnessed increased traffic at stores but with turnover no higher than any other working day, according to the president of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE), Vassilis Korkidis.
The favorable weather conditions in most parts of the country drew many people out of their homes to visit and walk around the shops, where they noted the high discount rates traders offer, but with disposable incomes at such low levels at the moment purchases were nothing notable, shopkeepers said.
Retailers expect buyers to return after January 27, when civil servants and pensioners get paid for the month.
ESEE estimates the total turnover of the sales period that started last week and ends on February 28 to reach up to 5 billion euros, down from 5.5 billion in the same period last year – i.e. a decline of 9-10 percent.
