Greece Retail Sales Growth Remains Robust

Retail sales in Greece rose by 4.5% year-on-year in January 2026, after a downwardly revised 4.7% increase in the prior month, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth in retail activity and at a solid pace. Sales increased markedly for supermarkets (10.4%); books, stationery, other goods (9.4%); furniture, electrical equipment, household equipment (8.6%); pharmaceutical products, cosmetics (7.6%) and food, beverages & tobacco (4.1%). On the other hand, spending decreased for clothing and footwear (-3%) and automotive fuel (-2.3%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales went up by 0.9%.

Retail sales in Greece advanced 5.1% year-on-year in December 2025 from an upwardly revised 0.7% in the previous month. This marked the highest level since April, as activity increased in supermarkets (7.2% vs 1.1% in November 2025), department stores (6.8% vs 0.1%), pharmaceutical products and cosmetics (10.3% vs 3.9%), books, stationary, and other goods (8.6% vs 7.8%), furniture, electrical equipment, and household equipment (11.7% vs 9.5%). In addition, trade rebounded in clothing and footwear (1.2% vs -1%) and food, beverages, and tobacco (3.3% vs -0.6%). In contrast, sales declined in automotive fuel (-1.2% vs 7.1%). On a monthly basis, retail sales jumped 10.4% in December, recovering from a 1% drop in the previous month.

Retail sales in Greece rose 0.3% year-on-year in November 2025, a sharp slowdown from the 4.4% increase recorded in October. Fuel sales declined for a second consecutive month, falling 7.2% after a 2.5% drop in the previous month. Sales of clothing and footwear also contracted, slipping 1.0% after surging 9.6% in October, while food, beverages and tobacco edged down 0.6% following a 0.2% gain. Growth also moderated across several other categories, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (3.9% versus 8.9%), books, stationery and other goods (7.8% versus 12.3%), and furnishings (9.5% versus 9.7%). On a month-on-month basis, retail sales fell 1.0%, reversing a 2.6% increase in October.