Athens shoppers rewarded with sweet treats
The City of Athens took to handing out sweets in the city center yesterday in a bid to lure back shoppers who had been avoiding the district recently after weeks of violent protest action against the government. The government has announced a series of steps aimed at supporting the businesses in central Athens damaged in the violence. However, shop owners yesterday called for additional measures. At a meeting with National Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE) asked for additional tax breaks and promises that part of the 28 billion euros in funds used to provide banks with a capital and liquidity boost would be channeled into the retail sector. Stores have been running special offers to drum up business before the formal sales season starts on January 15.
