Vasilopoulos

The "war" between supermarket chains is taking the form of a thinly veiled public confrontation over market shares.

It is no coincidence that the war is focused on private label products, as this category continues to experience very high growth rates as a result of persisting inflation.

Supermarket chain AB Vassilopoulos is following up its "cohabitation" deal with Holland & Barrett of the Fourlis group and the Polish chain of clothing and home goods Pepco, with agreements with food service chains - mainly fast food, such as kebabs, pizza etc - which they will operate within the large supermarkets.

Large supermarket companies are now fighting the battle for greater market shares in hypermarkets, as contrary to forecasts that this category would suffer due to inflationary pressures, it is growing at a much higher rate than the overall growth in the sector.

The supermarket sector anticipates a year of developments in 2020, after fierce competition in 2019 that saw turnover rise 3.2 percent from 2018.

Leading supermarket chain AB Vassilopoulos on Thursday reported a 3 percent decline in turnover last year, to 2.1 billion euros from 2.17 billion in 2016.

The drop was attributed to continuing price and offers campaigns and the shifts in the sector that last year saw the reopening of the former Marinopoulos stores under the Sklavenitis brand.

The supermarket sector in Greece is experiencing a deep recession ranging from 8 to 15 percent year-on-year across its categories, according to the marketing and strategic planning director of AB Vassilopoulos, Zeta Cheimonidou. Her statements at a corporate event confirmed the general mood in the industry and data compiled by researchers surveying the sector.

Another Greek supermarket chain, the Metro group's MyMarket, is set to make its electronic commerce debut, which, in contrast to other retail models in Greece, is showing rapid growth.

Eight Greek companies have made it through to the final event of the European Business Awards 2015, sponsored by RSM, scheduled to take place on May 26 in London.

One year after RSM Greece hosted the European final, seven Greek firms have secured the Ruban D?Honneur title that sees them enter the final.