Greece retail turnover rises 6.6% amid increased tourist spending

Greek retail sales and tourism spending showed significant growth in July. According to ELSTAT data, the retail turnover increased by 6.6% compared to July 2025, while the sales volume—adjusted for inflation—rose by 5.2%.

Key sectors driving this growth included furniture and household equipment (8.7%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (5.9%), large food stores (5.8%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (4.8%). Conversely, sales in fuels and lubricants saw a slight decrease of 0.4%.

Tourism remains a primary driver of the economy. Data from the Bank of Greece indicates that travel receipts rose by 7.2% in July, reaching 4.72 billion euros. Notably, while the number of incoming tourists decreased by 3.1%, the average expenditure per trip increased by 10%, suggesting higher spending per visitor in sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and transport.