The winter discounts are coming to an end today, but the majority of companies, according to a survey by the Institute of Commerce and Services of the Hellenic Confederation of Trade and Entrepreneurship, are going to continue the offers as sales did not move to the levels desired by traders.
Based on the results of the annual survey published last Friday by INEMY-ESEE regarding the sales movement during the winter discounts period, in a nationwide sample of companies, the president of the Attica Regional Chamber Council, Vassilis Korkidis, stated “It is indicative of the market situation that only 3 out of 10 retailers saw increased sales at this winter discounts. Smaller companies are once again in a worse position, as 4 out of 10 recorded lower sales, while larger companies performed more encouragingly and moved to higher levels this year compared to previous periods. At the same time, the research of INEMY-ESEE showed us that, in this winter discounts, the companies that had the possibility of sales outside the physical store, either through sales through the site or through e-shops, showed better performance compared to those that did not . “Despite the many difficulties that accuracy creates for us, as consumers, let us take into account that 7 out of 10 commercial stores in Attica will continue the winter discounts in March, with generous offers”.
ESA survey: 9 out of 10 stores had a drop in turnover
In the meantime, today the Athens Chamber of Commerce published the findings of its own research on winter discounts, which it carries out in collaboration with the Athens University of Economics and Business under the scientific supervision of Professor G. Baltas. The research shows that although 9 out of 10 stores in Athens declare a drop in turnover, however, the merchants declare in an overwhelming percentage, their demand to abolish the institution of intermediate discounts.
On the occasion of the data, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Stavros Kafounis, stated: a picture of the real situation on the market today.
Self-employed, small, medium and large Greek companies operating in Athens, in regional markets and in all malls (Malls) give the stigma of retail at this difficult turning point, where the market operates under special conditions.
The downward trend recorded by ELSTAT in the index of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, for the months of November and December, was reflected in the results of the discount period, with 9 out of 10 stores declining turnover. An unprecedented percentage and we did not face it even during the time of economic crisis.
In this difficult period, traders are also overwhelmingly expressing their demand for the abolition of the obsolete institution of intermediate discounts and their anxiety about
security issues especially in the city center, which we intend to highlight immediately seeking solutions.
Finally, the insecurity of the trading world is embodied in the expectation of the course of turnover in the next six months, where the answers are shared, while it is impressive that more than 2 in 10 can not assess the situation.
With these data, we now demand the removal of all restrictions and the return of normalcy to the market, with simultaneous support so that we do not find ourselves in front of the padlocks that we avoided with the right measures taken during the critical period, hoping that soon we will finally enter a stable growth trajectory “.
Research findings
According to the association: “The results of the research on sales in 2022 compared to those in 2020 are discouraging and strongly reflect the situation of insecurity in the market, the international environment, lack of liquidity, rising energy costs and “combined with rising prices for basic necessities, create an explosive mix.”
– The vast majority of 87.2% stated that 2022 had worse results compared to the same period of 2020, while a small percentage of 10.9% stated better or the same turnover.
– The majority of the stores of the sample 7 out of 10, belong to the category clothing – footwear – accessories – sports items that have a leading role in the discount period.
– Six of the 10 points of sale of the sample, operate within the borders of the Municipality of Athens.
– The analysis of the results shows on average a larger drop in turnover in the center compared to the markets outside Athens.
– The answers that refer to the expectations for the next semester are divided, 1 in 3 states that they are optimistic and respectively in the same proportion the respondents state that they are pessimistic. Uncertainty is evident from the 22.6% who stated that they can not assess the situation while informing that they are unable to even plan their purchases.
– The majority of the market, with 7 out of 10, call for the abolition of intermediate discounts, while only 18.9% want the current status to be maintained.
– In addition, it seems that the level of policing and the sense of security of entrepreneurs is far from the situation that prevailed in the pre-pandemic era. Insecurity seems to be more intense in the areas of the greater center of Athens, it is less intense in the neighborhood markets and insignificant in the markets outside the Municipality of Athens.
– It is noted that the comparison was made with the turnover of the discount period of 2020, because it was the last period of winter discounts that were conducted under normal conditions while emphasizing the negative contribution of extreme weather events in Attica, which further contributed to the already burdensome market.
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