The Institute of the Greek Confederation of Commerce & Entrepreneurship has reported that 2025 was a year of contraction for retail in Greece, with real turnover decreasing by 0.4%. This decline represents the smallest increase in nominal terms since 2020, raising serious concerns about the state of the sector. The Confederation has highlighted two alarming trends: the unprecedented low growth in nominal turnover across the retail sector and the continuation of real terms contraction for a second consecutive year.

Such trends are particularly worrying given that the retail sector is the strongest and largest employer within the Greek economy. The decreasing performance in retail is expected to have significant repercussions on the anticipated rate of economic growth, primarily due to the high dependence of the economy on consumer spending. As the retail sector struggles, the potential for broader economic implications becomes profound, hinting at a potential stagnation in economic recovery.

With a reported turnover increase of only €545.2 million for the year 2025, the overall sales volume is anticipated to stagnate amidst these concerns. The findings point to an urgent need for policy intervention to stimulate the retail sector and regain consumer confidence, as continued contraction could further dampen economic prospects for Greece in the near future.