Winter Sales Kick Off with Big Discounts and High Hopes for Retail Growth

The 2025 winter sales officially begin on Monday, promising shoppers "generous discounts and unique offers." Retailers are optimistic about exceeding last year's sales, despite the season's proximity to the holidays, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

According to Vasilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the January-February retail turnover target is over €6 billion, surpassing 2024 figures. He credits a 6.4% rise in private-sector wages and a 9% decrease in unemployment for easing household budget pressures. Falling food, beverage, and supermarket prices are also expected to boost spending. Korkidis added that the sales could help reduce inflation by at least 0.5%.

Korkidis emphasized the need to expand sales to more sectors, particularly services, where living costs have shifted significantly.

Retailers are preparing significant discounts, especially in clothing and footwear, to clear stock following underwhelming holiday sales. Makis Savvidis, Vice President of the Athens Association of Commerce, noted that higher-than-average temperatures had hurt retail trade, and while consumers made more purchases, they spent less overall, focusing on basic essentials and budget-friendly gifts.

The Development Ministry has announced stricter monitoring during the sales using advanced digital tools to ensure transparency and compliance. Discounts must display the original price, which must reflect the lowest price charged in the 30 days before the sales started.

The winter sales will run until February 28, with shops open on Sundays, January 19 and 26, from 11:00 to 18:00.