Energy crisis: Reduction of store opening hours on the table

On the table is the possibility of changing opening hours for retail stores due to the energy crisis.

The government is considering a scenario of shops closing at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., as is currently the case, in order to achieve a reduction in electricity consumption by businesses at low voltage.

Today, Wednesday, Minister of Development and Investments, Adonis Georgiadis, will meet with market players, and the issue of the schedule will probably be on the agenda of the discussions, however decisions are expected next week.

“Yes to closing the shops earlier, but the measure should apply to everyone”, says the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Stavros Kafounis, when the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce  has already officially raised the issue of reduced hours during the afternoon and evening hours due to the problems created by the energy crisis.

What the Thessaloniki Chamber proposed

Specifically, the ESTH proposes that the shops not open at all on Sundays and that the opening hours be structured as follows:

– Monday: 10:00 to 16:00

– Tuesday: 10:00 to 19:00

– Wednesday: 10:00 to 16:00

– Thursday: 10:00 to 19:00

– Friday: 10:00 to 19:00

– Saturday: 10:00 to 16:00

Competition issue

According to Stavros Kafounis, the measure must be horizontal, grant an automatic subsidy, have limited force, but also allow for flexible work. HE also stressed that the measure be temporary and not permanent in nature.