Main opposition party SYRIZA lashed out at the government regarding the opening of shops on Sundays. SYRIZA issued a statement accusing the government that it serves the interests of large shopping malls.
“The government, ignoring the rights of employees and undermining small and medium enterprises, dogmatically insists on the opening of shops on Sundays. The needs of the majority of citizens come second whereas the interest of large shopping malls and chains is its top priority. This measure should be withdrawn immediately. “ read the statement.
The President of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE), Vassilis Korkidis, described the results of stores opening on Sunday in major cities as largely disappointing for the start of the summer sales.
“Trade in Athens was mediocre, in Thessaloniki was probably satisfactory, while in Piraeus was disappointing,” he said. “Apart from the malls and outlets, the winners on Sunday were stores in Larissa and Patra, which remained closed.”
Korkidis, however, noted that the summer sales were only at the start and that trade may pick up over the next few weeks.
Stores remained open on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., amid controversies including a 24-hour strike called by store personnel and low turnover.
There are seven Sundays of the year in which stores throughout Greece must be open, according to a 2013 law, while another regulation requires stores to remain open on all Sundays of the year in selected regions of Greece, such as popular tourist destinations, as part of a pilot program that will be reviewed for possible application throughout Greece.
Many stores in Athens and Thessaloniki opened for a second Sunday in a row, after the government passed a law allowing shops to open every Sunday in 10 regions of the country.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
