“Another big bet for small and medium -sized businesses was lost. According to a survey by the Athens Chamber of Commerce, 77.4% of businesses reported a turnover decline during the summer, while 84% are demanding a new institutional framework for bids. “

This is noted in a statement by the President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce Thanos Tsangaris on the occasion of the publication of the results of the research on the course of summer discounts.

As the president points out, “despite the great discounts made by small and medium -sized enterprises trying to face unfair competition, demand was not reinforced, confirming that 79.7% of businesses are experiencing market deregulation by law 4965/2022, which released the bids. The explosive increase in SMEs’ operating expenses over the last three years from 26% to 50% recorded by 70% of businesses responded with the constant decline in consumer purchasing power, creates a regime of economic asphyxia that leads most small and medium -sized enterprises. He added: “Small and medium -sized enterprises do not ask for privileges. They seek the same rules, equal opportunities and access to survival tools. If the government is not acting now, 50% of small and medium -sized enterprises will close within the next three years. “

Main findings of the survey

– Reduction of turnover during summer discounts were reported almost 8 to 10 commercial companies (77.4%)

– 88.8% of respondents estimate that there was a deregulation of the market by Law 4965/2022, which released the bids.

– 84% of businesses are seeking a new institutional framework that limits offers and set rules prohibiting unfair competition from major market players.

– Continuous turnover transfer from small and medium -sized enterprises to multinationals, department stores and large digital platforms (European and Asian).

– Small business e-shops are inactive, as their revenue does not cover their operating expenses (valid for 58.5% of respondents).

– Increase in operating expenses, from 26% to 50% in the last three years, 54.1% of business respondents said. Rents – energy – insurance contributions – bank charges etc. They are a weight unbearable for small businesses.

– Consumer purchasing power has fallen while most of the available income ends at multinationals, large businesses and multinational e-shops.

– Banks are essentially closed for small and medium -sized enterprises, and there is no support for European programs from the Memorandum era.

What the Athens Chamber of Commerce is asking for:

– Control and regulation of competition with a new institutional framework for offers/discounts in order to stop the anarchic environment of the lasting offers/discounts and imposing a high national fee on Asian platforms.

– Radical debt setting:

a) Debt setting in 150 installments

b) Operating out -of -court mechanism

c) Special arrangement for professionals who want to end their professional life with dignity

(d) Remove the fine of 15% for a dose loss or imposition of it after the loss of the third dose.

– Reduction of taxation and immediate access to funding through banks or an enhanced development bank.

– Participation of small and medium -sized enterprises in European support programs with more simplified criteria to avoid being excluded.

– Restore the minimum lease duration of 9 years for business leases and

– Three -year extension to the leases that expire within the next three years with a 3%increase.