The prices have increased by 9% compared to last year, according to Eurostat, as stated by the General Secretary of Trade and Consumer Protection, Sotiris Anagnostopoulos, speaking of a pan-European issue with the obligation of every government to limit accuracy, while at the same time he emphasized that a little more time research leads consumers to cheaper options that also shape the behavior of traders.

The unusually high but unprecedented fines are a given while the Competition Commission continues its investigations, he added. Asked why Greek products cost less abroad, he replied: The increase in prices is the result of lower production at a global level, with a typical example being olive oil, which is produced with a vertical reduction of 50% in Spain. The most expensive price appears in Mediterranean countries that consume olive oil in contrast to northern Europe that prefers seed oils, so traders drop the price on olive oil to maintain market share, tempting with prices even below cost.

In other words, if a Greek product is not known, it is sold cheaper in order to have an impact on the foreign market, according to Mr. Anagnostopoulos.

Online scams and queues at courier companies

We have taken down 50-60 websites due to fraud, said Sotiris Anagnostopoulos and pointed out what consumers should be especially careful about when shopping online:

There should be VAT number and commercial register information to verify that the online store is real and a secure bank payment environment should be offered.

Regarding the courier companies, he said that the government cannot compel an order to be delivered earlier but it can compel each online store to be honest about the delivery time and not be tempted by false short delivery times because, he said, heavy fines will be imposed.