The summer sales begin Monday, July 8, and will run through Saturday, August 31.

Announcements are expected from trade associations. Already, as the Thessaloniki Trade Association said in a statement, stores can open voluntarily on the first Sunday after the start of the sales, on July 14.

The time frame for this Sunday is from 11am to 8pm and the Commercial Association proposes the operation of shops from 11am to 6pm.

The Association reminds that any notice of price reduction shall indicate the previous price applied by the trader for a specified period of time prior to the application of the price reduction. In addition, use a rate e.g. “20% discount”.

Earliest price means the lowest price applied by the trader during the 30-day period prior to the application of the price reduction.

Particular care must be taken in complying with the provisions on discounts and reduced prices as the penalties are severe. In particular, according to Article 21 of Law no. 4177/2013, those who violate the law are subject to a fine equal to 1% of the annual turnover and in any case not less than 10,000 euros.
In the aggravating case where the discounts are proven to be inaccurate or misleading, a fine equal to 2% of the annual turnover and in any case not less than 20,000 euros is imposed.

According to the legislation, shops are allowed to operate on a voluntary basis on the following Sundays:

– The first Sunday of the winter sales (if it is a holiday, it is moved to the next Sunday)
– The second Sunday of the winter sales
– The second Sunday of the second half of the winter sales season
– The second Sunday of the second half of the winter sales season
– The first Sunday of the summer sales (if it is a holiday, it is moved to the next Sunday)
– The first Sunday after Black Friday
– The penultimate Sunday before Christmas
– The last Sunday before Christmas
– The last Sunday of each year (if a holiday falls on a bank holiday then shops are not open)

This means that on Sunday 14 July shops can be open.

Discounts and offers

Discounts are usually for summer season products while sales are usually for non-seasonal items are usually for out-of-season items.

During promotions, shopkeepers are required to have a sign posted stating that promotions are taking place and the products they are selling should clearly state the original price and the final promotional price and in no case the discount percentage.

Consumers, as defined by Article 1 of Law no. 2251/94, have every right to ask about the origin and quality of the product and traders have the obligation to answer these questions.