Trade with Greece
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interim sales periods. In accordance with the
new legislation (law 4177/2013), two interim
sales periods have been introduced with the
aim of enabling consumers make purchases at
better prices during the season (and not only in
the off season), as well as boosting demand.
The interim sales periods have been set for the
first ten days of May and the first ten days of
November. Regular sales periods run from the
second Monday of each January till the end of
February in the winter and from the second
Monday of each July till the end of August in the
summer.
The same law also permitted the voluntary
opening of retail stores on the first Sunday of
each sales period, either interim or regular, as
well as on the two Sundays prior to Christmas
Day and Palm Sunday.
Moreover, the Deputy Governors of Regional
Units were given the discretion to decide
whether, and for how many additional Sundays,
eligible retail stores would voluntarily operate in
their regions. Eligible stores have to cover an
area of up to 250 square metres and not be part
of chains, malls, discount villages or stores,
shop-in-a-shops etc.
Out of 57 decisions reached within the legally
established deadline, 37 allow stores to open
on more than the 7 designated Sundays. These
decisions vary, depending on the peculiarities
of each region. In contrast, 20 Deputy
Governors of Regional Units decided not to
allow the voluntary opening of retail stores on
”
“
The Ministry of
Development is taking
horizontal measures to
simplify business licensing
procedures and reduce
costs, on the basis of the
relevant proposals of the
World Bank.
