Merchants in Thessaloniki are frustrated. Consumption during the Holy Easter Week did not meet their expectations. According to a survey conducted by the Commercial Association of Thessaloniki among 100 traders, revenues dropped 20% in average when compared to the previous year.
82% of the respondent saw a decrease in turnover.
Only 6% saw an increase compared to last year.
48% said they had customers from other cities or countries.
The situation is similar outside the historical commercial center of the city but also in the suburbs.
78% saw turnover decrease and only 6% saw an increase.
“Despite the disappointing consumers’ behavior during the last four years, despite merchants to have lower their turnover expectations during the holiday seasons, they still had hope. The economic losses for the commercial enterprises in Thessaloniki are huge, yet many of them still operate, while their survival margins have been dangerously narrowed and many are threatened with closure unless drastic measures are taken.
The dramatic reduction in turnover, the lack of liquidity, the not-served loans, the lack of access to bank loans, the absence of development policy have brought the entrepreneurs to their limits,” commented local news portal Thesstoday.
I assume merchants in other cities would experience the same frustration if they were they asked.
