Shopkeepers and sales staff held protests in Athens and Thessaloniki to mark the first of three Sunday opening days for shops during the Christmas season. Protests were held at Athens’ main shopping area at Ermou Street and at the corner of Tsimiski and Agia Sofia streets in Thesslaoniki. Traffic in Thessaloniki was brought to a standstill.

The Federation of Private Employees of Greece made a statement regarding the legal framework for shop opening hours. They said that Sundays would drive out small shopkeepers unable to cope with the competition from larger stores and further increase the burden on retail staff.

CLICK HERE for shop opening times over the Christmas season.