Marketing strategy

According to the National Statistical Institute, the overall business climate indicator in March 2024 remains stable compared to February, hovering around 23%. While there was a boost in the indicator within the retail trade and service sector, there was a decline noted in the industry and construction sectors.

Supermarket prices increased by 2.75% in February, down from 3% in the previous month, according to a report of prices in major retail chains by the Consumer Goods Retail Research Institute (IELKA).

Household appliances in Cyprus, such as refrigerators, washing machines and TV sets, are expected to experience price increases in the near future. The Retail Trade Association attributes this development to the Red Sea tensions. However, the Cyprus Consumers Association deems any price hikes in household appliances due to Houthi attacks on cargo ships as unjustified.

Retail sales volume fell 5.2% in November 2023 in the Greece, with sales falling across the majority of store categories in the month, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Wednesday.

Price increases have changed consumer habits in Greece, a survey by the Retail Consumer Goods Research Institute (IELKA) said on Thursday.

The survey, conducted on a sample of 1,000 consumers in November 2023, showed a clear trend by consumers to save money to buy basic goods and services. More specifically, the pressure is bigger on reducing spending on basic services.

Bulgaria witnesses a notable improvement in its overall business climate indicator, surging by 3 percentage points from December 2023 to January 2024. The National Statistical Institute (NSI) revealed that this uptick spans across all key sectors—industry, construction, retail trade, and services.

Retail stores and shops will be open on Sunday due to winter sales.

The proposed business hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., while shopping centers and department stores will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Winter sales kicked off on Monday and will be running through the end of February. Stores can also open on Sunday, January 14 and 21. According to representatives of the retail sector, following a reasonably successful Christmas period, the winter sales are expected to inject fresh momentum into the market.

The latest data from the National Statistical Institute reveals a positive upswing in Bulgaria's retail sector for November 2023. Retail turnover experienced a 0.5% increase from the previous month and a substantial 3.2% rise compared to the same period last year.

Yearly Highlights

"It appears that the forecast for the turnover of the retail market in December - that it will exceed last year's 3.83 billion euros and peak at above €4 billion - is going to prove accurate, while the consumers' preferences regarding gifts remained the same, with clothing and footwear in first place, followed by gift items, toys and cosmetics," the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce