The winter sales officially began today, January 12, and will run until Saturday, February 28.

On the first and second Sundays of the winter sales period, namely Sunday, January 18 and Sunday, January 25, shops will be allowed to open.

During the sales period, stores operating on Sundays are expected to follow a recommended opening schedule from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Trade associations and consumer groups stress that discounts must be clear, accurate, and genuine, with both the original price and the discounted price clearly indicated on product labels, so that shopping remains safe and beneficial for everyone.

The Consumers’ Workers’ Union of Greece (EEKE) highlights several consumer rights that apply during discount periods, aiming to ensure safer and more prudent shopping:

• During promotional offers, the original price and the new discounted price of products must be clearly displayed at the point of sale, along with the appropriate unit of measurement for each product.
• In any announcement of a price reduction, the previous price applied by the retailer must be indicated for a specific period prior to the discount.
  The previous price is defined as the lowest price applied by the retailer during a period of no less than thirty (30) days before the discount was introduced.
  If a product has been on the market for less than thirty (30) days, the previous price is considered the lowest price applied during the ten (10) days prior to the discount.
  If the price reduction is gradually increased, the previous price is deemed to be the price before the first application of the discount.
• During sales periods, in addition to displaying the old and the new reduced price of discounted goods and services, it is also permitted to display and advertise the percentage of discount.
  If a reduced price applies to more than 60% of the total items for sale, the discount percentage must be displayed in the store window and in all commercial communications.
  If different discount rates apply to different product categories, the range of discounts must be stated (e.g. “from …% to …%”).
  In all other cases, it must be stated that discounts apply to selected items, along with the corresponding discount percentage.
• STOCK or OUTLET stores are required to display on their signage:
  (a) the old selling price, crossed out, and
  (b) the new reduced selling price, in a way that clearly distinguishes between the two.
  Optionally, the discount percentage may also be displayed inside the store and in any other commercial communication.
  During sales or promotional periods, such stores must show all intermediate prices crossed out and display the final reduced price in bold, while in all other commercial communications they may use only the words “sales” or “offers.”
• If discounts, offers, or any announcement of a price reduction are inaccurate or misleading with regard to the discount percentage, prices, or the quantity of discounted or promotional products, or involve any form of concealment or deception, the retailer may be fined up to 2% of annual turnover, with a minimum fine of €20,000.
  If the same violation is repeated within five (5) years, the maximum fine may increase to 4% of the retailer’s annual turnover.