Greek Retail Sales Rise 3% in March, Led by Home Goods; Clothing and Fuel Lag

Greek retail sales volume experienced a 3% increase in March compared to the same month last year, according to data released by ELSTAT. This overall growth was primarily fueled by strong performance in furniture, electrical goods, and home equipment, which saw a 12.5% rise in turnover.

However, the positive trend was not uniform across all sectors. Clothing and footwear sales decreased by 3%, while department stores and fuel sales also registered slight declines of 0.3% each. Other sectors showing growth included books and stationery (6.9%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (3.9%), and large food stores (2.7%).

In terms of current prices, the general turnover index for retail trade saw a more significant increase of 6.1% in March compared to March 2025. This suggests that while sales volumes are up, a portion of the growth is attributable to rising prices. The seasonally adjusted general turnover index showed a modest 0.2% increase compared to February 2026.

The data indicates a mixed performance within the retail sector, with some areas showing resilience and growth while others face challenges. The overall increase in turnover, despite mixed volume performance in certain categories, points to broader economic factors influencing consumer spending.