Greek retail turnover declines as SEEE reports sector downturn

The SEEE Institute has reported a significant downturn in the Greek retail sector. During the second quarter of 2026, the turnover of commercial businesses (excluding food, vehicles, and fuel) decreased by 3.7% in real terms, a decline more severe than that seen in the first quarter.

The downturn affects various business sizes differently. Large enterprises experienced a sharp 6.1% drop in real sales, while very small businesses fell by 3.8% and small businesses by 3.2%. Medium-sized enterprises were the only segment to show growth, increasing by 2.3%, though this was insufficient to reverse the industry's downward trend.

SEEE President Stavros Kafounis attributed these results to several factors, including reduced consumer purchasing power due to cumulative inflation, rising costs for housing and energy, and shifts in consumer behavior. Additionally, the report cites the impact of multinational digital platforms, limited access to liquidity, increased operating costs, and high tax and insurance burdens as contributing pressures.