Energy crisis: The reduction of opening hours in shops is under discussion

A domino of developments was brought by the proposal of the Trade Association of Thessaloniki to close two hours earlier in order to reduce energy costs.

The issue is to be raised at noon at the meeting of the Minister of Development and Investments Adonis Georgiadis with representatives of supermarkets and SELPE. He will have similar contacts with other competent bodies in the near future.

The proposal is under discussion and concerns the possible reduction in the operation of the stores by 2 hours daily, while as retail executives estimate, it is estimated that it will bring about a 50% reduction in energy consumption for these hours or 5-7.5% of the total daily cost.

ESA President: To be applied to all stores

On the occasion of the public debate regarding the possible reduction of the market’s opening hours, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Stavros Kafounis, asked about it stated: “The difficult conditions we are experiencing today undoubtedly require brave interventions. Closing the stores earlier could be one such, but the decision should be made based on the service of consumers on the one hand and on the other hand with the needs of commercial businesses, which by operating fewer hours will have to cope with the same obligations”.

The proposal has already been discussed at the Board of Trade of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, while as stated by Mr. Kafounis, in order to take this measure, it is necessary:

1. To be implemented by ministerial decision for all stores of all types, including super-markets, so that we do not face unfair competition again as in the recent past.

2. To be combined with the automatic subsidization of electricity costs, given that the reduction of hours will naturally result in energy savings.

3. To have limited temporal validity, for as long as the emergency conditions last.

4. To give the possibility of flexible work to the salaried workers so that their wages are not reduced.

“Once again the country’s business world seems willing to back down, contributing to the critical energy conservation problem facing the country. However, it is necessary for the state to support Greek trade in a targeted manner by subsidizing its energy and digital upgrade and freezing any possible increase in insurance contributions and other burdens. It is also necessary to create a final brave arrangement of all the debts that have accumulated over the last twelve years, with simultaneous rewarding of those who are consistent, so that anyone who wants and can strengthen the public coffers with their work”, emphasized Mr. Kafounis.

The proposed opening hours from Thessaloniki merchants

New proposed opening hours for shops in Thessaloniki were issued by the city’s Chamber of Commerce, taking into account the high cost of energy and predicting closed shops from earlier in the afternoon.

In particular, as stated by the ETH: “Due to the problems created by the energy crisis and the unforeseen difficulties of the coming winter, the decrease in market turnover and the Government’s demand for a reduction in electricity consumption, the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce decided to propose reduced shop opening hours during the afternoon/evening hours.

It should be noted that limiting the energy consumption of stores was a proposal that was also discussed with the MEP and Co-Chair of Intergoup “Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Ms. Maria Spyrakis, during an information event on the topic “Repower EU – An opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses” organized by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, in the context of its participation in the 86th I.E.Th.

Reduced opening hours of shops during the afternoon and evening hours, due to the problems created by the energy crisis, suggests the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce (ESTH).

Specifically, the merchants propose that from Monday, October 10, the operating hours be set up as follows:

• Monday: 10:00 to 16:00
• Tuesday: 10:00 to 19:00
• Wednesday: 10:00 to 16:00
• Thursday: 10:00 to 19:00
• Friday: 10:00 to 19:00
• Saturday: 10:00 to 16:00

In fact, it is pointed out that “limiting the energy consumption of the stores was a proposal that was also discussed with the MEP and Co-Chair of the Intergoup Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Ms. Maria Spyrakis, during an informative event on the theme of “Repower EU – An opportunity for the small and medium enterprises” organized by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, in the context of its participation in the 86th D.E.Th.

With information from APE

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.