The 10-day mid-season autumn sales period started on Saturday, November 1, amid mixed reactions. The Greek Federation of Private Employees has called a nationwide strike on Sunday, November 2, against the opening of stores on Sundays. On Monday, Deputy Development Minister Gerasimos Giakoumatos is expected to announce changes to the rules on sales and discounts. Meanwhile, according to a survey conducted by the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) on businesses’ shutdown in Greece, scheduled for release next week, the retail sector situation is still stagnant. In a statement, ESEE President Vassilis Korkidis expressed his surprise over the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) decision to appeal to the Council of State regarding the opening of the stores on Sundays and called on them to withdraw their motion. The sales will last 10 calendar days, not business days, which means that they will end on Saturday, November 9, since stores are regularly closed on Sundays. According to ESEE and the new rules, nationwide sales will be allowed four times a year. a) Regular sales: from the second Monday of January until the end of February and from the second Monday of July until the end of August. b) Mid-season sales: the first 10 days of May and the first 10 days of November. Retail stores can have sales and special offers any time they wish. However, they are not allowed to advertise sales in any manner. During regular sales periods, it is allowed to have price and percentage of savings before and after the sale on the price tag. Outside regular sales periods, it is not allowed to have percentages of savings written on the price tag.