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The big plates in the window of dozens clothing stores on the road Patissia They're screaming. «All EUR 2,99» write in large letters «They hit» in the eye of the passerby and gain interest, as always when a product is abnormally cheap.
The clothes in many of these shops, which have increased in recent years, not only in Patissia but also in other major roads such as Acharnon and Piraeus, are used, regardless of whether this is not shown in the showcase or signs, and create conditions of unfair competition.
The «M» He walked to Patissia and found that about 20% of the clothing stores have second-hand products at very low prices.
Athens Trade Association talks about violation of health rules and legislation with regard to trade and points out that companies operating in all legal terms are being marginalised and faced with serious sustainability problems because they cannot compete on equal terms with these stores. But the shopkeepers are also talking about major damage and asking for checks on the Municipality of Athens and other relevant services.
The «M» He walked to Patissia and found that about 20% of the clothing stores have second-hand products at very low prices. Patissia is a different path than we knew until a few years before the crisis. Then, as shopkeepers say, «We left the window lights on so people could see her at night and come in the next morning to shop.».
«They're shopping massively from the "2 euro" stores, but if they need a better outfit, they'll come and buy it from us.», says to «M» Rania Woolopoulou.
For 37 years, the Triantafylia Karkanopoulou has a clothing store a few dozen meters away from ASAEE. Very close to it are two shops selling clothes at prices not exceeding five euros. As he says in «M», the damage they have caused her is so great that she no longer thinks about the future of her business, but how it will be a few more years before she can retire.
«No one checks if there are invoices»
«They don't mention anywhere that the clothes are used, but such a garment stands out. The worst part is that no one checks if there are invoices, if evidence is cut, and if their employees are insured. The clothes they sell don't even have tags.».
Mrs. Karkanopoulou points out that with the changes that have taken place in recent decades in the anthropogeography of Patissia, both her own business and the shops that sell cheaply have ended up claiming about the same clientele. «Most customers in these stores are immigrants, but so have we for many years.».
Rania Woolopoulou tells «M» that the large presence of shops selling used clothes is a symptom of the financial difficulties facing citizens. «Now you see women with huge bags from these stores. It's purely economical. They're mass shopping from there, but if they need a better outfit, they'll come and buy it from us.», points out.
Generally speaking, shopkeepers agree that competition located a few meters away and sells products at very low prices is a very tough opponent. They realize why some customers choose to buy clothes «with two euros from across the street». «Our only hope is that customers will realize that quality counts and begin to prefer us again.»Mrs. Karkanopoulou says.
The «M» He attempted to ask the relevant questions to employees and shop owners who sell used clothes, but they refused to answer.
The President of the Athens Trade Association, Thanos Tsagaris, says to «M» the «This is a very serious matter that has been on our mind for the last five years. Where such a store appears they close two retail outlets located next to it. The licenses are given unchecked, we estimate they are 60 – 65 only in the last year».
Second hand stores are required to sell their products with the same unit of measurement with which they are purchased. If you buy by the pound, you have to sell by the pound.
As he notes, the NRA has performed two performances in the Municipality of Athens, but has not found a willingness to carry out checks on these companies, which, as it is reported, do not comply with health regulations and sell their products in breach of legislation.
«Second hand stores are required to sell their products with the same unit of measurement with which they are purchased. If you buy by the pound, you have to sell by the pound. If these stores buy, for example, 5 euros a kilo and sell 5 euros the piece creates unfair competition which affects professionals who comply with the legislation»Mr. Tsangaris says.
The proposal of the ESA is the creation of a common scale which will consist of officials of the municipal police, the Region of Attica, the DIMEA, EL.A. and the health services and will perform sweeping checks to record illegalities.
What the checks of the Municipality of Athens showed
The competent Deputy Mayor of Athens Helen Zontiros says to «M» that the checks made by the municipality revealed that many of these stores operated without permission. Thus, owners were asked to proceed with the procedure. «From the checks we have done it has emerged that they are shops selling used clothes. You can't see it in their window.», notes. As he points out, the responsibilities of the municipality are limited to issues of authorisation and he assures that he will ask the Region in writing for the creation of scales by the competent agencies in order to make a thorough check on each of the points set by the Athens Trade Association.
