Retail

Summer sales in the Greek retail sector will begin on Monday, July 14, and run through Sunday, August 31, in a bid to boost activity in the sluggish sector.

Consumer watchdog EKPOIZO on Tuesday issued a series of tips for consumers to ensure the best buys.

The proposed new regulations for retail chains will considerably harm the local FMCG producers, warned the European retail organization EuroCommerce. 

If amendments to the Competition Protection Act as they are, prices in the FMCG retail chains will go up by 10%, Dimitar Spasov, CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria, told the 24 Chasa daily. 

The online purchases in Bulgaria posted highest growth in April, year-on-year, shows data of the National Statistics Institute data on retail. 

The goods ordered “by mail, telephone or internet” grew by 18%, compared to April 2013. 

Most significant sales were posted by “computers, telephones, etc.” - 14.1% growth, followed by medical goods and medicines – by 4.3%. 

More and more Bulgarians shop via mail order or via Internet, according to the National Statistical Institute preliminary data.

There is an increased risk of drastic food price hikes in Bulgaria because of Government's actions against the modern retail chains. 

According to Yordan Mateev, executive director of the Modern Retail Association, the draft amendments to the Competition Protection Act would affect not only the retail sector, but all business activities.