Domestic e-shops are in crisis

The Greek e-commerce marketplace is experiencing its archetypal closures owed to the enlargement of Chinese e-commerce platforms.

Already successful 2025, 15 Greek e-shops person closed, while, according to marketplace players, others are following, adjacent successful the αυτοκίνητο parts and accessories category, arsenic they are unable to header with the ever-increasing contention from platforms such arsenic Temu, Shein, AliExpress and others, platforms which present clasp marketplace shares of implicit 20% successful home e-commerce.

In this context, the Greek E-Commerce Association (GRECA), successful collaboration with the country’s largest trade associations and the Athens Chamber of Commerce, has projected to the Greek authorities the imposition of a interest of 7 euros per low-value parcel (under €150) imported from third countries.

If the connection presently discussed astatine the European Union level astir a interest of €2 connected each low-value parcel is implemented, then these will beryllium burdened with a total interest of €9 successful Greece, which should stem the wave of orders from Chinese marketplaces to some extent.

According to the proposal, the gross from the nationalist interest should beryllium directed exclusively to the integer transformation of Greek businesses and to the strengthening of integer extroversion, so that Greek companies tin get the modern tools and know-how required to stand connected adjacent terms successful a globalized and peculiarly demanding environment. 

Meetings person already been held with executives from the ministries of Development and National Economy and Finance, without nevertheless immoderate effect so far. Industry bodies appeared pessimistic speaking to Kathimerini astir the destiny of the connection successful question, claiming that the authorities does not want to disrupt its relations with China, particularly owed to the large interests that beryllium successful Piraeus. 

“Since February, we person sent letters to each members of Parliament and Greek MEPs regarding the problem, but there has been nary substantial response,” said Makis Savvidis, vice president of GRECA and typical for Greece successful the European Federation of Electronic Commerce, to Kathimerini.