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ECONOMY
-In 2023 the total sales made in hypermarkets (stores over 2,500 sq.m.) constituted 11% of supermarkets’ total sales, with the turnover in this category of stores increasing by 13% compared to 2022. The largest part of the turnover (43.5%) takes place in medium-sized stores (1,000-2,500 sq.m.)
-Piraeus Bank is expected to meet its goal for the participation of at least 30-35 funds – of high quality – in the bank’s share capital, Naftemporiki reported. The approval of the bank’s prospectus by the Capital Market Commission is expected on March 1, when all the details will be published.
CAPITAL MARKET
Greece will auction a 26-week Treasury bills issue on Wednesday (Feb. 21) seeking to raise 625 million euros from the market, the Public Debt Management Authority said an announcement.
TOURISM
-German holidaymakers spent a record amount in 2023, with Greece taking the lion’s share, German news outlet “Münchner Merkur” reported. The data from the German Bat Research Institute based on a study that surveyed a sample of 3,000 individuals aged 18 and over from Germany about their travel habits showed that last year, German vacationers spent the most money on vacations in Greece (€1,755).
-Greece was awarded the title of “World’s Best Tourist Country” for the first time in 30 years at the annual Grand Travel Awards (GTA) 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden. According to the latest arrival data at Greek airports, 544,097 Swedes visited Greece in 2023 and mainly prefer the country due to the gastronomy and the feeling of safety, AMNA reported.
GENERAL
Farmers will arrive by tractors and buses in Athens on Tuesday (Feb. 20), to demand more measures for the high cost of production. The rally to the Parliament is scheduled at 6:30 p.m.
