In retail trade seems to dominate frustration from the “fund” of summer discounts, With 4 out of 10 businessmen declaring that, although the discounts are over and despite the restrictive institutional framework, they are pushed to maintain low prices and offers, to attract consumers.

As the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry tells RES-EIA Vassilis Korkidis, Expectations from the overall image of retailing in the second quarter of the year, which showed an improvement in € 19 billion with an upward trend of 2.5%, after about two years of downward march, unfortunately were not verified in July-August. In fact, he adds, without the branches of vehicles, food and fuel, the quarter turnover amounted to € 6.87 billion, with an increase of 1.5%, but it is 50%short of inflation levels exceeding 3%.

“Estimates of the trade associations for most small and medium -sized retail companies from summer discounts show poorer traders’ funds, due to reduced traffic due to prolonged heat compared to the same period last year,” he said.

In general, the president emphasizes, The overall picture of summer discounts is negative, And it cannot be reversed with the few days that are expected to follow in early September.

As Mr Korkidis estimates, “this year’s discounts have highlighted the deficit in disposable income, reduced purchasing power, less spontaneous markets and the decline in consumption per capita, which is less than -19% of the European average. Also this year there was more intense the shift of turnover and the redistribution of summer consumption of about 7 billion euros from trade to services in proportion to the reduction recorded by retail in clothing-footprint, home types, electrical appliances, furniture, and other seasonal consumer goods.

Greek consumers have chosen summer discounts this year, instead of consumer products, To … buy a holiday. Of course, the housing accounts, the family’s bathrooms were preceded, and then the markets followed. In the private sector, the 1.6 billion euro license allowance in its majority went to tickets and residence in holiday destinations. At the same time, the expectations of consumer confidence record the lowest performance of the last nine months. Consumer forecasts for their financial situation for the next 12 months show uncertainty with almost 60% of households fearing slight or noticeable difficulty, that is, an estimate, which will also affect their future markets.

In summary, This year’s discount turnover It is estimated that both in large shops and in individual smaller retail stores, It ranged below 10% to 20%. On the contrary, where discounts have recorded an increase, such as in e-commerce, it was single-digit and small. We should, however, concern to us that the greatest increase in turnover of the second quarter compared to last year is recorded in the retail trade in stores in stores with 36.7%. “

Eventually, the president stresses, neither the summer discounts have managed to act as an antidote to accuracy, which continues to seriously concern households and negatively affect the Greek market.

EU

It is recalled that the ERC Institute has recently presented the results of its nationwide research on the course of summer discounts, which also seem to have many entrepreneurs want to maintain reduced prices and bids for a while to attract consumers.

On the occasion of the findings of the research, ERC President Stavros Kafounis said: “The results of summer discounts are coming to complement the negative” series “of the market since the beginning of the year. Six out of ten companies fell sales, which reflects their ongoing inability to recover. The main milestones of the year – late discounts, Easter season and summer discounts – were lost for the industry. What remains, in addition to the slim turnover, is the concern of thousands of small and medium -sized commercial businesses on the course of the coming months. The state must proceed with immediate interventions, essentially supporting businesses that keep the market and employment alive. And, moreover, it is time to re -evaluate the institution of discounts in order to have a positive impact on businesses and consumers. “

The key findings of the research were as follows:

* Six out of 10 (59%) retail companies recorded worse sales during summer discounts compared to last year, while only 1 in 10, mostly very large companies, recorded a positive sign.

* Therefore, almost half of businesses (47%) appeared a little to no satisfied with their sales during the summer discounts.

* The desire to attract consumers pushes 4 to 10 entrepreneurs (37%) to maintain low prices and bids after their official completion, despite the restrictive institutional framework.

* In this light, it is not surprising that 6 out of 10 companies adopted discount rates of over 30%, with the “discount step” 31% – 40% gathering the strongest preference.

* For nearly 4 out of 10 businesses (38%) the period with the highest purchasing traffic was the first fortnight of August, a finding that is likely to be linked to both the lack of liquidity and the time of payment of the leave /gift allowance.

* For 7 out of 10 companies in which lower sales were recorded compared to the corresponding discount period last year, the reduction was up to 20%.

* On the contrary, for 2 out of 3 companies that reported sales, the rise did not exceed 10% compared to last year.

* Two in 3 companies adopted the same, as in the summer of 2024, discount rates.

* Half of (47%) companies made discounts on all store goods.

* Half (51%) companies also recorded lower traffic than last year.

* In the light of the above, only 21% of entrepreneurs said they were very pleased with traffic to stores.

Businessmen answers to critical issues

* Despite the reinforcement of remote sales, 45% of businessmen said that sales of the physical store were more than electronic. This finding also highlights the incentives to be given for further digital maturity of the market.

* Entrepreneurs evaluate accuracy, increase operating costs, reduced market income and raising suppliers’ prices as the most important problems with a negative burden.

* Three in 4 companies (74%) notes that its operating costs have swelled more than 10% since the beginning of the year to date.

* In this context, 67% of entrepreneurs say from no to no up to a little relieved of support measures against ratings and increased energy costs.