Shopping activity remains at normal levels, as, despite the current economic situation, there is no let-up in either footfall or consumption.
At the same time, with Easter just around the corner, footfall, especially in supermarkets, is expected to peak on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. On the other hand, clothing and footwear, which are affected by the seasons, are awaiting the upcoming change in weather conditions in order for the spring and summer collections already in stores to be distributed more.
Store opening hours
Speaking to InBusinessNews, PASYLE's General Secretary, Marios Antoniou, pointed out that footfall on shopping streets, shopping centres and supermarkets is moving at normal rates, while shopping is expected to peak just before Easter.
"Clearly, the Easter period cannot be compared to the Christmas period and December, which is traditionally the busiest month of the year, with increased turnover in all retail subsectors. However, footfall at supermarkets is at normal levels, with increased traffic last week, in the first days of the month," he said, emphasising that orders have already begun at butchers for the Easter table.
It is recalled that general stores (supermarkets, retail stores and malls) are anticipated to remain closed on Easter Sunday and Monday and will reopen on Easter Tuesday, 14 April. On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, stores are anticipated to remain open until 6pm.
Cypriot or Greek lamb around €12 per kilo
The PASYLE General Secretary clarified that the paraphilia that wanted the price of lamb to climb to €17 and €20 per kilo has been refuted. "Consumers can find Cypriot and Greek lamb for around €12. Meat consumption is particularly high during this period and the product will not be missing from festive tables," he emphasized.
Asked about the impact of foot-and-mouth disease cases on the market, he stressed that there is a sufficient supply at reasonable prices, explaining that there have been increased imports from Greece, significantly higher than the corresponding period last year.
The effort to contain prices
Regarding the increase in energy costs and fuel prices and the expected economic impacts due to the unstable situation in the Middle East, the General Secretary of PASYLE pointed out that everything depends on the duration of the conflict, for which the announced ceasefire has already brought down prices.
"If we continued to see a sharp increase in fuel prices and energy costs, then we know the potential disruptions to the supply chain and the undesirable economic consequences that would exist," Antoniou clarified.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
