Last-minute shoppers flock to city center
The center of Athens was full of last-minute shoppers yesterday as many Greeks prefer to exchange gifts on January 1, rather than Christmas Day. According to store owners, festive season turnover from clothing and footwear items is down between 20 and 25 percent relative to last year’s levels, as many consumers are waiting to take advantage of winter sales commencing January 15. Meanwhile, data released by the National Statistical Service yesterday showed that Greece’s retail sales by volume fell 15.3 percent year-on-year in October after a 8.7 percent drop in September. Retail sales by turnover dropped 14 percent year-on-year in October after a 7.5 percent drop in the previous month.