Focus: Losses of up to 80% due to Covid measures

Of George Lampiris

Significant difficulties concerning both the operation and the financial performance of the catering sector in Greece are brought about by the government measures, which oblige the customers of the stores to present the certificate of vaccination, illness or competitive control.

As reported in Capital.gr the president of the Panhellenic Association of Shops and Consumers of Catering and Entertainment (PASKKEDI), Niki Konstantinou, from the moment it was set a condition for them to have a rapid test, the drop in turnover amounted to 50%.

“At the same time we are seeing the entry of citizens into places such as supermarkets or public transport, simply by using their mask, while at the same time financial aid to us has stopped. We ask to be able to work with people who have not been vaccinated or who “They have been vaccinated, in the mixed outdoors. This is a prediction that should exist. Otherwise, to be considered operating companies, without having customers, has catastrophic consequences for us”, adds Mrs. Konstantinou.

It maintains a dining area in Thessaloniki with 40 tables inside and 6 tables outside. “We knew that focusing indoors was a lost cause for us, as there is no widespread perception among citizens that vaccinations are performed. We have outdoor space, but there are many shops that do not have a square or sidewalk to accommodate their table seats. ”.

Turnover losses of 1.8 billion euros in 2020 for catering – Compensation for aid 1.9 billion euros for companies in the sector

It is noted that the active catering businesses based on data from the Ministry of Finance cited by PASKKEDI, amounted to 77,000 in 2019, including canteens on ships and hospitals. These companies had 409,000 employees, while during the pandemic 258,000 employees were suspended.

The turnover for 2019 was 6.4 billion euros and in 2020 it dropped to 4.6 billion, which practically marks losses of 1.8 billion euros. It should be noted, however, that the industry covered the losses, receiving a total aid of 1.9 billion euros.

Based on the same data quoted by Mrs. Konstantinou, in 2020 more than 7,000 companies ceased to operate.

The head of PASKKEDI adds that maintaining social cohesion is paramount. “The pandemic will end at some point. What we need to maintain is our relationship with our customers.”

Christos Potsios (Fair Owner): We have lost 80% of our turnover

The owner of the restaurant-bar, Fouar, which is located on Mitropoleos Street in the center of Athens, points out that in terms of procedures it is simple to control people from the store. The peculiarity of this store is that it has exclusively closed dining area.

“The result is that we work with 50% of the world, as half of our fellow citizens are unvaccinated. At the same time, however, large groups of people have stopped visiting us, as it is impossible to gather a group of several people. We no longer host groups larger than four people, which further limits the scope of our clientele ”.

According to him, the drop in the company’s turnover is at the level of 80%. He describes that this percentage reflects the turnover of the company from October, when the store reopened for the winter period until now, stating that during that month the receipts were only 12,000 euros, compared to 60,000 euros in October. 2019.

“At the same time we have a significant number of cancellations, as there are many people who eventually choose to sit outdoors. The only solution is not to crash, hoping that a significant number of stores will not close due to reduced turnover.”

Thomas Douzis (Founder of Ergon): The state forces us to take on the role of police

For his part, Thomas Douzis, founder and co-owner of the company Ergon, typically states that “our state forces us to take on the role of police officers, in the position of police officers and to quarrel with customers, whom we want to bring to our stores and We need to find a different mechanism of operation and not a mechanism that will put us in conflict with our visitors.

People generally know the rules that apply. However, there are cases of customers who do not have an identity card or a diploma, as a result of which they often leave our stores.

At the same time there are examples of visitors who in many cases claim to buy something in the form of take away and then leave, but choose to sit. It is a fact that we are living a war and we must fight with whatever weapon they give us “.