Shops and restaurants are gearing up for one of the busiest seasons of the year as the holiday shopping frenzy peaks, pushing shoppers to embrace last-minute purchases. Merchants are expecting this year’s holiday revenue to soar beyond €4 billion, with clothing and footwear leading the list of favored gifts. According to retail analysts, more shoppers have returned to physical stores, fueling optimistic projections for merchants across the region.
For those planning to hit the shops, store hours on Sunday, December 22, will see retail establishments open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with chain stores and shopping malls extending their hours until 8 p.m. The upcoming schedule leading up to Christmas includes:
- Monday, December 23: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 25 & Thursday, December 26 (Public Holidays): Closed
- Friday, December 27: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 28: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, December 29: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Chain stores & malls until 8 p.m.)
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 1 & Thursday, January 2: Closed
This year, the Ministry of Development is intensifying market inspections during the busy holiday season to prevent misleading discounts, unfair profiteering, and other violations. Consumers are encouraged to shop smart and use the e-Katanalotis digital price observatory to research prices before making purchases. Consumer organizations also urge caution when shopping online, particularly when it involves sharing personal information.
When it’s time to check off lists for toys and food for the holiday table, the Consumer Association for Quality of Life (EKPIZO) has important advice:
Toys:
- Safety Certifications and Age Suitability: Always look for the CE mark, ensuring toys meet European safety standards. Age-appropriate labels are important, as toys for younger children may pose choking hazards.
- Chemical Safety and Material Composition: Avoid toys made with PVC or phthalates as they harm children’s health. Notably, soft PVC teething toys for young children are banned.
- Quality and Origin: Purchase from reputable brands and avoid items from unlicensed street vendors. Always check for manufacturer information.
- Purchase Receipts and Product Returns: Retain purchase receipts for possible refunds or exchanges. Online shoppers have the right to return defective products within 14 days.
Food for the Christmas Table:
- Choosing Fresh and Quality Products: Opt for organic items, check expiration dates, and select seasonal produce for freshness and value.
- Meat Procurement: Check meat is fresh, stored between +2°C and +5°C for refrigeration or below -18°C when frozen. Origin and inspection stamps are key.
- Packaged and Frozen Products: Read labels carefully for ingredients and expiration dates. Ensure packaging is intact to avoid contamination.
- Desserts: Seek quality desserts like melomakarona or kourabiedes from reliable sources. When baking, select high-quality ingredients.
The holiday season is not just about shopping but also about dining out. Many restaurants will remain open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For example, Applebee's will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and until midnight on Christmas Day. Other notable establishments include:
- Denny’s will maintain 24-hour service throughout the holidays.
- Country Kitchen will be operating from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Looking to get groceries? Key supermarket hours for the holidays include Wegmans closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remaining shut on Christmas Day. Tops Friendly Markets follows similar hours. Whole Foods will be open until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but closed on Christmas Day. ALDI will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, but open until 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
On the public safety front, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) is urging motorists to prioritize safe driving habits as they take to the roads during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods. The GSP will conduct high-visibility patrols on interstates and roads to decrease accidents. The Christmas travel period commences Tuesday, December 24, at 6 p.m. through Thursday, December 26, at 11:59 p.m., with the New Year’s travel interval beginning Monday, December 30, at 6 p.m. and concluding at 11:59 p.m. January 1. During the last holiday season, GSP recorded 16 fatalities statewide during Christmas travel and nine during New Year’s travel. If alcohol consumption enters the celebrations, designations for sober drivers should be made before festivities begin. Colonel Billy Hitchens of the Department of Public Safety emphasized: “We want everyone to drive sober, stay focused, and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.”
This holiday season promises to be busy, dynamic, but also reflective of the collective effort required to keep both consumers safe and fulfilled as they shop, dine, and travel. By shopping wisely and emphasizing safety, families can enjoy the holidays to their fullest.
