16/07/15

[Maik]

http://civilprotection.gr

[Maik]

Amancio Ortega Gaona, founder and owner of Inditex (owns Zara clothing stores, etc), said to be holidaying around Kefalonia on his private yacht.


Ryanair flight yesterday from Bergamo to Kefalonia had to divert to Ciampino airport, Rome, and passengers transfer to another 'plane due to possible fault with (original) 'plane.


Interruption to mains water supply this morning in the area near the Coast Guard office in Argostoli due to a burst mains pipe.

[Maik]

Greeks spend their locked-away euros

Use it or lose it: that's the plan for many Greeks, who have been going on a credit card-fuelled spending spree as the economy has tanked out of fears their cash could be confiscated or devalued.

Wary of the experience in fellow eurozone member Cyprus two years ago, when deposits were seized to recapitalise banks, Greeks are opting to drain their accounts by electronically paying taxes and bills - or buying luxury goods.

Sales of expensive goods such as watches and jewellery and electronic items like smartphones and computers leapt 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

And the rush of “protective spending”, covering high-margin expense items, hasn't turned around Greeces economic fortunes.

According to the National Confederation of Greek Business, retail sales fell 70 percent between June 27 and July 10, compared to the same period a year earlier. Only purchases of fuel and food increased, seen as proof the country is well and truly in crisis.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/199594/article/ekathimerini/business/greeks-spend-their-locked-away-euros

Dixons Carphone has reported a 21% rise in profits, in part helped by Greeks panic buying big-ticket items such as large-screen TVs as a safe haven for their cash amid the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

The Dixons Carphone group... chief executive, Sebastian James,... said that fears of the Greek banking system’s collapse appeared to be encouraging consumer spending in the country, especially on big-ticket items.

http://en.enikos.gr/economy/32554,Dixons-Carphone-profits-rise-21-amid-Greek-panic-buying.html

[Maik]

Late Bookings to Greece are Bouncing Back ‘Slowly But Steadily’

http://news.gtp.gr/2015/07/15/late-bookings-to-greece-are-bouncing-back-slowly-but-steadily/