Greek supermarket market sees rising sales but shrinking profits

Greek supermarket market retail profitability operating costs consumer spending food retail sector

The Greek organized food retail market is experiencing a significant increase in turnover and consumer spending, yet profitability is facing severe pressure. According to data from ELKA, NielsenIQ, and the Supermarket Association of Greece (ESE), consumer spending is projected to reach 16.2 billion euros in 2025, up from 15.15 billion in 2024 and 14.515 billion in 2023.

Despite this growth, net profit margins for supermarket chains remain critically low at approximately 1.1%. This is well below the international sustainability benchmark of 3% cited by Apostolos Petalas, General Manager of ESE. The squeeze on profits is attributed to rising operating costs, specifically in wages, energy, rent, and logistics, alongside inflation and limited disposable income.

In the wholesale sector, The Mart AE, a branch of the Sklavenitis Group, reported a turnover of 450.44 million euros in 2025. While the company is increasing its investment program to 25 million euros for 2026, it anticipates a decrease in profitability due to improved employee benefits and high operational expenses.

Entities

Apollos Petalas · ELKA · Elke · Greece · Hellenic Supermarket Association · NielsenIQ · Sklavenitis Group · Supermarket Association of Greece · The Mart AE

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Supplier expenses are expected to rise from 9.162 billion euros in 2023 to 10.220 billion euros in 2025. www.businessdaily.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Consumer spending in supermarkets, including VAT, is estimated to reach 16.2 billion euros in 2025. www.businessdaily.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.mononews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The net profit margin for supermarket chains in Greece is currently 1.1%. www.businessdaily.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.mononews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Supermarket sales excluding VAT are estimated at 13.967 billion euros for 2025. www.businessdaily.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.mononews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Increased operating costs are driven by wages, energy, rents, and logistics. www.businessdaily.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.mononews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The organized food retail sector requires a profitability of over 3% to be considered sustainable internationally. www.businessdaily.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.mononews.gr