ESEE: Cutting Business Costs Is the Key Challenge, Retailers Say

For Greece’s small and medium-sized retailers, the central challenge remains the cost of doing business. Stavros Kafounis, president of the National Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, used the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair to call for a coherent economic policy centered on smaller firms.

Kafounis said businesses need a substantial reduction in bureaucracy, stronger competitiveness and further cuts in tax and social-security burdens. Discussions at the ESEE Media Stage also addressed the labor market, the connection between tourism and commerce, and the role of infrastructure in expanding commercial activity.

In a discussion with Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus, the minister said unemployment had fallen below 8% on a quarterly basis for the first time in 18 years. She also pointed to a 5.5 percentage-point reduction in non-wage labor costs in recent years.

Kafounis acknowledged the progress but said non-wage costs still weigh heavily on competitiveness. He called for continued reductions and emphasized social dialogue as the place where workers’ and businesses’ needs can be balanced.

Tourism was another focus. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the sector could add value to commerce by expanding the consumer base. Kafounis said that “an increase of 100 euros from each foreign visitor would strengthen the turnover of commercial businesses by nearly 4 billion euros.” ESEE and the Tourism Ministry also announced their intention to sign a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen the link between tourism and commerce. Infrastructure Minister Christos Dimas highlighted projects under way, including the Thessaloniki Metro, during a separate discussion on access to local markets and regional development.

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An increase of 100 euros from each foreign visitor would strengthen the turnover of commercial businesses by nearly 4 billion euros.