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The situation in supermarkets is indicative of the panic that the Greek government's decision on a referendum has caused among citizens.

While the government is not explaining to people the consequences of a possible ‘no’, consumers are rushing to provide themselves with goods to have stocks in case of problems in the market.

Shelves are emptying, sales are reporting a significant growth but the situation is under control

Despite the consumer "invasions" in supermarkets and pictures of empty shelves on social networks, senior sources from the market are calming citizens. The supplies of food, basic household goods and personal care products are normal, as there are enough stocks.

Yesterday, however, there was an intensive movement in supermarket chains and experts from the sector indicated that sales growth was in the range 65-67%. Indicative of the panic among people, which is due to the decision on a referendum, is the fact that rice, legumes, pasta, olive oil, preserved and packaged food disappeared from supermarket shelves on Monday. A senior official at a leading supermarket chain states for iefimerida.gr that sales of these foods were almost double compared to the same date last year. On Saturday, supermarket sales increased by 33-37% and assumingly they were close to those in the days before Christmas.

A senior manager at another large supermarket chain says shops in the northern and southern suburbs of Athens have marked a significant growth in sales. However, he stresses that the company is waiting to see what will happen and that it is ready to proceed to Plan B. In particular, it has frozen all activities related to the expansion or renovation of commercial sites as well as all ongoing projects until the situation is clear.