Winter sales: When they start and which Sundays shops will be open

Traditionally, the winter sales begin on the second Monday of January and run until the end of February.

This year, the sales period starts on Monday, January 12, and will last until Friday, February 27.

During the sales period, shops will be open on Sunday, January 19, and Sunday, January 26, with recommended opening hours from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Winter Sales: What Consumers Should Pay Attention To

The Hellenic Consumers’ Workers Union highlights some key consumer rights during sales periods, with the aim of ensuring safer and more prudent shopping:

• During winter sales—and sales promotions in general—the original price and the new reduced price of products must be clearly displayed at the point of sale, using the appropriate unit of measurement for each product.
• Any announcement of a price reduction must indicate the previous price applied by the retailer for a specific period before the reduction.
  The “previous price” is defined as the lowest price applied by the retailer during a period of at least thirty (30) days prior to the implementation of the price reduction.
  If a product has been on the market for less than thirty (30) days, the previous price is the lowest price applied during the ten (10) days prior to the reduction.
  In cases where the price reduction increases progressively, the previous price is the price before the first application of the reduction.
• During sales, in addition to displaying the old and new reduced prices of discounted goods and services, it is also permitted to display and promote the percentage discount.
  If a reduced price applies to more than 60% of the total items for sale, the discount percentage must be displayed in the shop window and in any other commercial communication.
  If different discount rates apply to different product categories, the range of discounts must be indicated (e.g. “from …% to …%”).
  In all other cases, it must be stated that the discounts apply to selected items, with a reference to the corresponding discount percentage.
• STOCK or OUTLET stores are required to display on their signs, as provided by current regulations:
  (a) the old selling price, crossed out, and
  (b) the new reduced selling price, in a manner that clearly distinguishes between the two.
• Optionally, the percentage reduction may be displayed inside the store and in any other commercial communication.
  During sales or promotional periods, these stores are required to display all intermediate prices crossed out, and highlight the new reduced price in bold, while using only the words “sales” or “offers” in any other commercial communication.
• If sales, offers, or any announcement of a price reduction are inaccurate or misleading in terms of the discount percentage, prices, or the quantity of discounted or promotional products, or involve any form of concealment or deception, the retailer may be fined up to 2% of annual turnover, with a minimum fine of €20,000.
• If the same violation is committed a second time within five years, the maximum fine increases to 4% of the retailer’s annual turnover.