Fines totaling 940,000 euros were imposed by the Ministry of Development on shops selling electrical and electronic goods as well as shops selling cosmetics.

In checks by the Inter-agency Market Control Unit (DIMEA) it was found that they were in violation of the existing legislation, specifically article 15 of Law 4177/2013, article 78 of Ministerial Decision 91354/24-08-2017 as well as Ministerial Decision 35935/ 2023 “Code of Conduct on announcements of price reductions (especially in offers/discounts/promotions)”.

Specifically, administrative fines are imposed

• 720,000 euros to the company “DIXONS SOUTH-EAST EUROPE SA”,

• 100,000 euros to the company “GERMANOS A.V.E.”,

• 120,000 euros to three companies (from 40,000 euros each) with cosmetics: “HONDOS CENTER S.A.E. DEPARTMENT STORES”, “GALLERY DE BEAUTE GREEK COSMETIC STORES S.A.E.” and “SEPHORA GREECE SA”.

The Minister of Development, Mr. Kostas Skrekas, stated:

“Strict controls using modern electronic tools of the Inter-Service Market Control Unit (DIMEA) during the summer sales period with the aim of identifying fictitious/virtual sales phenomena produce tangible results. We are imposing new fines totaling 940,000 euros on 5 companies, bringing the total amount of penalties for fictitious discounts to 2.4 million euros.

I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm that for the Ministry of Development, within the framework of the Prime Minister’s directives, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, misleading practices at the expense of consumers will not be accepted. The state fully exercises its regulatory/controlling role in the market and takes the necessary measures to protect consumers. At this juncture, we all need to stand up to the needs and expectations of the Greek people.”