Supermarkets

Northern Greek supermarket chain Masoutis continues to bolster its presence in Athens, that started last year with the acquisition of the small Promitheftiki chain, and is planning to open 10 new supermarkets in the capital this year as part of its 25-million-euro total investment plan - with 15 new outlets across the country.

The T MARKET retail chain will open four more new stores in Bulgaria by the end of the year, and plans to renovate at least four more, the company said.

The Spanish fashion line MANGO plans to expand its presence in the Balkans, including Bulgaria, in 2019. For now, the company has two sites in the capital - in The Mall and Ring Mall. This is clear from publications in local media.

Greeks have reduced their spending on grocery goods by about 20 percent since the beginning of the financial crisis, changing purchasing as well as dietary habits under the pressure of tax hikes and shrinking incomes, according to the results of a survey released this week in Athens.

Greeks have reduced their spending on grocery goods by about 20 percent since the beginning of the financial crisis, changing purchasing as well as dietary habits under the pressure of tax hikes and shrinking incomes, according to the results of a survey released this week in Athens.

Amazon will acquire upscale U.S. grocer Whole Foods Market, known for its pricey organic options, for $13.7 billion, the companies announced on June 16, in a deal that underscores the online retailer's growing influence.

Greeks have been repeatedly forced to cut back on food consumption since the outbreak of the crisis, as last year's 4 percent drop in food retailing took the total decrease in market turnover from 2009 to 2016 to 18 percent, according to data compiled by Nielsen researchers.

Giannis (John) Ziotas was born in the small village of Roupakia in the island of Lefkada and he remembers growing up with his six brothers and sisters that there was never enough food on the table. When he grew up he went to the US and at the age of 26 he started working in a small grocery shp of the 110th Street in Brooklyn.

Online supermarkets have yet to hit their stride in Greece. A few days ago the fourth such store announced its opening (yoda.gr), but Greek consumers are still far from thrilled about getting their groceries via the internet.