Retail sales in Greece rebounded in May, with sales volume increasing across most store categories and business expectations strengthening significantly in July.
According to Eurobank’s 7 Days Economy report, the retail sales volume index, which measures sales at constant prices, rose 3.4% month over month in May, reversing declines of 1.5% in April and 0.4% in March.
Year over year, retail sales volume increased 6.5%, partly reflecting the low comparison base from May 2025.
Sales rise across major retail categories
Large food stores recorded a 4.5% monthly increase in sales, while department stores rose 1.7%.
Sales of automotive fuels and lubricants increased 2.2%, reversing a 4.9% decline in April. Sales of food, beverages and tobacco rose 4.2%, following a 2% decrease the previous month.
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products recorded a 2% increase, while clothing and footwear sales rose 4.6%, after falling 2.2% in April.
Sales of furniture, electrical goods and household equipment increased 0.6%, while books, stationery and other goods rose 3.4%, reversing a 4.3% decline in April.
Retail business expectations strengthen
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) found a significant improvement in retailers’ assessments of current sales.
The retail business expectations index rose to 116.8 points in July, from 108.3 points in June.
Businesses’ positive assessments of current sales strengthened substantially, reaching 41 points from 21 points. Expectations for sales over the following three months also improved, rising to 51 points from 45 points.
In the food, beverages and tobacco category, positive assessments of current sales edged up to 32 points from 26. Expectations for sales in the coming period jumped to 62 points from 28.
For textiles, clothing and footwear, however, expectations for the coming period fell significantly to 62 points from 94.
In household equipment, previously mildly negative assessments of current sales turned positive, reaching 6 points from minus 13. Expectations for sales in the coming period moved in the opposite direction, falling to 21 points from 41 in June.
Department stores recorded a sharp improvement in assessments of current sales, which rose to 67 points from 34. Expectations for the next period edged down to 64 points from 67.
Finally, current sales in vehicles and spare parts improved by 38 points to reach 58 points in July, while expectations for sales in the coming period edged up to 45 points.
