Summer sales begin July 14 – stores open sunday, July 20
The countdown to the 2025 summer sales has begun, with discounts launching across Greece on Monday, July 14 and continuing until Saturday, August 31. As part of the sales period, shops will be open on Sunday, July 20, with recommended hours from 11:00 to 18:00.
In Thessaloniki, the local Trade Association has confirmed that retailers may stay open until 20:00, though Sunday opening remains optional under Law 4177/2013.
What Shoppers Should Know
The Greek Consumers’ Workers Union urges the public to shop wisely and understand their rights:
Clear Pricing: Both the original and discounted prices must be clearly shown on every item, along with the correct unit of measurement.
Valid Reference Prices: Discounts must be based on the lowest price offered in the previous 30 days. For newer products (sold for less than 30 days), the lowest price from the past 10 days must be used.
Progressive Discounts: For items with staged price reductions, the reference price is the original price before any discount was applied.
Transparency in Advertising: If more than 60% of items are discounted, this must be clearly stated in ads and store displays. Otherwise, stores should use general labels like “discounts on selected items.”
Outlet Stores: Must show all previous prices crossed out and clearly display the final discounted price with the terms “sales” or “offers.”
New Rules and Heavy Fines for Violations
The updated Code of Ethics (Ministerial Decision 66877/30-8-2024) allows stores to display reductions as:
Percentage off (e.g. “20% discount”)
Fixed amount off (e.g. “€10 off”)
Price comparisons (e.g. “Now €50, was €100”)
Retailers found violating discount regulations or using misleading promotional tactics risk fines of up to 2% of their annual turnover, with a minimum penalty of €20,000. Repeat violations may result in fines up to 4% of turnover.
The Thessaloniki Trade Association and national authorities stress the importance of strict compliance to protect consumers and ensure fair competition during the busy sales season.
