Consumer behaviour

The closure of stores until just a few days ago, fear of crowds and the increasing familiarization of consumers with e-commerce have led many Greeks to continue shopping online.

Greek consumers appear pessimistic about the future of the national economy and their own personal finances, according to a survey by the Association of Business and Retail Sales of Greece (SELPE).

The market is eager to see all brick-and-mortar stores reopen as early as possible, even if it is with the shopping by appointment system - dubbed "click inside" - that the government appears to be leaning towards at this stage. This may be the only way for retailers to contain massive turnover losses from the months-long lockdowns.

A bookstore prepares for Monday's opening with a limit of four customers per 100 square meters. Hair salons also open Monday. Visits to both can be done only by appointment. Also Monday, retail stores will inaugurate the click-and-collect system, which allows customers to physically pick up items they have bought online or by phone.

As expected, the government on Friday announced the opening of some retailers, albeit in what has been described as a hybrid form to pose the least possible threat to health.

Seasonal retail stores trading exclusively in Christmas trees and decorations will open on December 7 and will operate until January 8, said Secretary General for Trade and Consumer Protection Panagiotis Stampoulidis at Friday's live coronavirus briefing.

With the ruling party surging in the polls, and most of the opposition parties resolved to boycott the polls, political change is clearly not in the air in the Balkan country.

Online commerce recorded an even higher growth rate in April than in March, as consumers continued to shop from e-stores - and not just for food and pharmaceuticals - as almost all conventional retail stores were shuttered by government order.

The Online Marketing Research Agency JTN conducted a national-representative survey on April 20-24 on the consumer behavior trends in the conditions of COVID-19. It aims to outline major changes in customer behavior and attitudes.

Online shopping is continuing to increase in the European Union (EU). Together with increasing use of the internet and improving security standards, consumers appreciate the possibilities of being able to shop anytime, anywhere, with access to a wide range of products and easy price comparisons.