Major food supermarket chains in Greece are struggling to fill around 8,000 job vacancies, despite offering wages above the minimum salary and additional benefits.
The problem, particularly in tourist areas, continues to grow, with no immediate solution in sight. Neither financial strength nor a strong employer reputation has proven sufficient to attract the necessary workforce.
As a result, leading players in the retail sector such as major supermarket chains are increasingly investing in improving the value they offer employees, both in terms of compensation and non-monetary benefits, including a more attractive work environment, training, and career development opportunities.
An example of this effort is the recent decision by Sklavenitis, a leading supermarket chain, in Greece, to abolish six-day workweeks for all employees starting on Nov. 1.
This move addresses a long-standing demand by workers, according to labor union representatives, and highlights the effort by supermarket chains to build what can be seen as ‘employer excellence.’
Sources close to Sklavenitis indicate that this change is expected to create new jobs to cover the operational needs, thereby boosting employment in the sector and the domestic labor market.
What is more, the same chain has taken a pioneering role in limiting Sunday work. Its stores open fewer Sundays than the law allows, although the chain had lagged behind in adopting the five-day workweek with one day off, a common practice in retail.
“Mandatory six-day workweeks are uncommon in the sector, and its abolition is a sign of progress,” noted the president of the Hellenic Supermarket Association (ESE), commenting on the Sklavenitis decision and praising the move.
In the same sentiment, VP of Legal & Public Affairs and Head of Corporate Communication, Quality & Sustainability at AB Vassilopoulos, another significant player in the sector, emphasized the importance of unity within the sector on such critical issues, stressing the fact that AB Vassilopoulos has never had a six-day workweek.
Furthermore, she welcomed any steps toward ensuring that all industry employees work under equal conditions.
Masoutis, another major player in the Greek market, has also opted for a five-day workweek, except for some stores acquired through mergers, which are gradually transitioning to the new model. In certain locations, however, a six-day schedule is still in effect for four months due to staffing shortages.
