The much-debated introduction of working hours on Sundays has not managed to attract any new customers, with National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) president Vasilis Korkidis arguing that even tourist areas did not see any increase in turnover. On Saturday employee unions demonstrated in downtown Athens against the introduction of the Sunday working hours
According to ESEE’s data, excluding tourist zones, less than two out of ten stores operated on Sunday, with even some malls opting to remain closed. The sale season as also unable to entice shoppers, with many retailers in urban areas such as Piraeus, Patra, Iraklio and Larissa reporting that sales were reduced between 10% and 20%.
Even business owners in tourist areas such as Crete, Rhodes and Kerkyra, which expected to benefit from the introduction of Sunday working hours, have seen very little change. Indicatively, the sale of tourist goods in Iraklio and Rethymno were reduced by 30% compared to last year. The markets in Rhodes and Kerkyra saw minor drop in sales compared to last season.
