With padlocks in several companies said goodbye to our country in the decade 2010 - 2019 that led many to a dead end. The retailing was one of the sectors that received the strongest blows, small businesses experienced the collapse while even the department stores that seemed powerful before the years of crisis did not escape from the unfavorable situation of the country's finances. The arrival of 2020 brings positive messages with foreign investors being ready to bring a new era to Greece, while the improvement of fiscal indicators within the first months of the year is a fundamental goal for the government's financial staff, as stated by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Despite the undeniable downward trend of small and medium entrepreneurship which continued in 2019, as shown by data from the register of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts, for the year that said goodbye to us a few hours ago, there were many "brave" people who decided to enter the business arena. More specifically, as it appears from the data of the register of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts, for 2019 (until December 18) the businesses 494 who said goodbye to active action, while 507 started work.
The outlook for the future looks positive with the argument that loans are now given at an interest rate of up to 3,5%, which is expected to decrease. The de-escalation of taxes increases market optimism and pushes for the opening of new commercial enterprises hoping for a sufficient share of consumer spending growth.
On the penultimate Friday of 2019 its president Athens Chamber of Commerce, Stavros Kafounis met with the Deputy Minister of Development and Investment, responsible for Industry and Trade, Nikos Papathanasis and the main topic of their discussion was the modernization of rules and regulations that will allow commercial enterprises to grow.
During the meeting, the positions and remarks of the Athens Chamber of Commerce regarding the operation of the market were presented, the current situation was recorded and in the discussion that followed, all the important problems that concern the operation of small and medium enterprises in recent years were analyzed. Special reference was made to the demand of the commercial world for the immediate abolition of obsolete institutions and bureaucratic obstacles, the fight against illicit trade and its new forms of internet, as well as the controversial operation of various types of outdoor festive and non-holiday markets.
The crisis of recent years that led to the. Collapse
Glou
In July 2019, the Glou group closed after 34 years in the field of clothing. The company in 2012 had 42 stores in Greece, Cyprus and the Balkans. At that time has applied for Article 99. One of its owners, Antonis Glu, had been arrested for debts to the Greek State.
Raxevsky
From 2012 the operating profitability of the company was negative while many of its stores operated at a cost which significantly exceeded the corresponding sales. Thus, in 2016, it seemed impossible for Raxevsky not to resort to bankruptcy law, requesting an extension of up to 16 years for the repayment of its obligations and interim financing. However, despite the effort of consolidation through the bankruptcy law, which allowed it to settle in many installments its obligations to banks and the State, the company closed in February 2019, leaving debts to employees and creditors.
Marinopoulos
One of the largest companies in the history of Greece, Marinopoulos SA "dropped" titles in recent years. The company's network numbered on 31/3/2016 a total of 406 corporate stores and 329 stores in franchise status. On March 1, 2017, the brand name of the chain was changed and the Sklavenitis brand was replaced.
Focus
One of the most powerful clothing and footwear companies, "Fokas" could not withstand the invasion of the memorandum and in 2014 declared bankruptcy, leaving many millions of debts to suppliers, banks and employees.
Sprider
In August 2013, Sprider Stores had 44 stores in Greece, three in Romania and one in Bulgaria, having already closed 45 stores since the beginning of the year. However, on the 1st day of October of the same year, its final padlock came.
The chains that "voted" Greece
In our country recently came the Ashley Homestore and Toys Center, which opened stores in Smart Park. At the same time, the chain Madame Coco, which seems to have an ambitious plan to develop a strong network of stores in Athens and then throughout Greece, housed its headquarters in Chalandri.