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Bakeries and pastry shops in Thessaloniki seem to be resisting the crisis since Thessalonians are reluctant to part with bread, baker’s products and sweets.

Bread production is the industry that traditionally withstands times of economic difficulties, since bread is considered as an essential consumer product. The same applies to refreshments (sandwiches, pies, etc.) that often substitute the lunch of those workers who are outside their homes all day long. In an effort to attract an increasing number of customers, many bakeries already offer coffee in addition to the services they provide.

At the same time, they are waging a true price "war" to survive in the market.

As shown by the data in the register of Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, from 2010 to 2013, a new bakery or pastry shop appeared in the place of each closed one.

If we look back to the past five years (2010-2014), it becomes clear that a total of 204 bakeries and pastry shops opened and 245 companies in the industry closed. It is noteworthy that some of the closed companies had been operating for a long time and started their business in the 1970s. Of course, there were cases of companies that ceased activity in less than one year.

Positive year 2013

Over the past 5 years, 2013 has been the year with the most positive results for the industry as regards the opening and closing of companies. In particular, 54 new companies were added to the asset of Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce in 2013 compared to the 53 that ceased activity. Quite a few companies that started their business in the 1990s closed in 2013, one bakery closed in less than three months and a number of baker’s shops in less than one year.

Going back to 2010, we see that 48 companies in the industry became operative and 47 ceased functioning. In 2011, 40 companies started their business, while 49 ceased activity. In 2012, 44 opened and 49 closed.

In all cases, however, despite the fact that an increasing number of consumers are limiting the quantities of goods they buy from bakeries and pastry shops, as shown by the data of Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, the industry is one of the few to keep the balance between opened and closed companies.

This year’s picture is different, as from January to the end of October 2014, 18 bakeries and pastry shops began operating whereas the number of those that ceased activity was almost threefold or 47. It should be noted that the majority of the companies that ceased their business this year started operating in the year 2000.

"This year’s data probably indicate the degree of saturation in this sector. The places where bakeries or pastry shops open one after another are not few. The issue is for the companies that start a business to continue to develop and not be a saving remedy in the cases of emergencies", said President of Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce Panagiotis Papadopoulos, stressing that in every case the fact that the industry in general continues to be in good shape despite the problems and the drop in turnover is particularly pleasant.