Greek retail turnover fell by 4.9% in Q1

Retail turnover decreased by 4.9% in the first quarter of 2021. According to Hellenic Statistics Authority ELSTAT, in the total operations of the retail sector, the turnover in the first quarter of 2021 amounted to 10.9 billion euros, recording a decrease of 4 , 9% compared to the first quarter of 2020, where it was pegged at 11.5 billion euros.

The activities that showed the largest increase in turnover in the first quarter of 2021 compared to
corresponding quarter of 2020 are:

• Retail trade by mail order companies or via internet, increase of 43.2%.

• Retail sale of computers, computer peripherals and software in specialized stores, an increase of 30.0%.

The activities that showed the largest decrease in turnover in the first quarter of 2021 compared to
corresponding quarter of 2020 is:

• Retail sale of cosmetics and toiletries in specialized stores, a decrease of 41.1%.

• Retail sale of footwear and leather goods in specialized stores, a decrease of 33.2%.

• Retail sale of second-hand items in stores, a decrease of 33.2%.

Presentation of activities with greater changes

The “Retail or online retail” business sector, which showed the largest increase in turnover between the first quarter of 2021 and the corresponding quarter of 2020, includes retail activities of companies that sell by mail order or online  by applying specific procedures and the products sold can either be uploaded directly from the internet or physicaly delivered to the customer.

The economic activity sector “Retail sale of cosmetics and toiletries in specialized stores”, which showed the largest decrease in turnover between the first quarter of 2021 and the corresponding quarter of 2020, includes retail trade of perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries.

Businesses with the obligation to maintain ledgers

For companies in the retail sector with the obligation to maintain ledgers, for which data are available on a monthly basis, the turnover in March 2021 amounted to 2.3 billion euros, an increase of 9.1% compared to March 2020 which had amounted to 2.129 billion euros and an increase of 9.3% compared to February 2021 which was set at 2.125 billion euros.

The activities that showed the largest increase in turnover in March 2021 compared to March 2020 are:

• Sale of cars and light motor vehicles, increase of 85.6%.

• Retail trade by mail order companies or via internet, an increase of 66.6%.

The activities that showed the largest decrease in turnover in March 2021 compared to March 2020 are:

• Retail sale of music and video recordings in specialized stores, a decrease of 64.3%

• Retail sale of carpets, rugs and floor and wall coverings in specialized stores, a decrease of 48.4%.

Presentation of activities with greater changes

The economic activity class “Sales of cars and light motor vehicles”, which showed the largest increase in turnover in March 2021 compared to March 2020, includes the wholesale and retail sale of new and used vehicles.

The “Retail trade of music and video recordings in specialty stores” business class, which showed the corresponding largest decrease in turnover, includes the retail trade of music discs, audio films, compact discs and diskettes, videocassettes and digital DVDs, as well as Retail trade of blank cassettes and discs.

Based on the turnover data of the final Statistical Business Register 2018, the 10 largest sectors in terms of economic activity of the retail sector is:

– Sale of cars and light motor vehicles

– Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles

-Wholesale trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories

-Retail sale in non-specialist shops selling mainly food, beverages or tobacco

– Other retail trade in non-specialized stores

– Retail sale of motor fuels in specialized stores

– Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialized stores

– Retail sale of electrical household appliances in specialized stores

-Retail sale of clothing in specialized stores and

– Pharmaceuticals in specialized stores

The activities that showed the largest increase in turnover in the first quarter of 2021 compared to
corresponding quarter of 2020 are:

• Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, increase of 21.6%.

• Sales of cars and light motor vehicles, increase of 14.3%

The activities that showed the largest decrease in turnover in the first quarter of 2021 compared to
corresponding quarter of 2020 is:

• Retail sale of clothing in specialized stores, a decrease of 45.1%.

• Other retail trade in non-specialized stores, decrease of 41.4%.

The activities that showed the largest increase in turnover in March 2021 compared to March
2020 is:

• Sales of cars and light motor vehicles, increase of 71.6%.

• Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, increase of 58.6%.

The activities that showed the largest decrease in turnover in March 2021 compared to March
2020 is:

• Other retail trade in non-specialized stores, decrease of 33.3%.

• Retail sale of clothing in specialized stores, a decrease of 30.6%.