Greek Products Target Lafayette

When the average European consumer hears about the famous stores Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Marseille and Berlin, he is probably thinking of designer clothes, cosmetics and accessories. However, within the next two years, a series of Greek high quality food may be placed in the food department of Galeries Lafayette in the three cities, hoping to attract the public and comprise a permanent addition to their range of products.

Spiros Dakoglou, a Greek diplomat, was the one to announce this project to ANAMPA. Dakoglou has served in the past as a member of the EOY Office of the Greek Embassy in Paris.

Meanwhile, because of the sharp drop of domestic consumption in Greece, informative applications submitted by Greek businessmen for investments in France have sharply increased. Dakoglou noted that due to the cultural and archaeological sites of Greece, the country’s image in France remains positive, despite the negative publicity.

The outlook regarding seafood and wine exports is positive. “The fact that Chinese and Russians now buy large quantities of French wines has increased their price. Automatically that makes French produce wines of good quality, but at lower prices, such as Greek,” he added.

According to Dakoglou, French investors retain a strong interest concerning the development of Greek public property. He also gave as an example the stated interest of the French multinational group Suez in the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage.

In order for someone to enter the French retail he needs: a local importer / dealer or to start a business in the country, absolute consistency in delivery time, stable quality, to avoid sudden changes in the terms of the contracts and create packaging with French labels.

When it is about small and medium-sized businesses- to use French as the language of communication during the trade. Greek businessmen can search the databases of EOY office as well as the French company register office at (, www.verif.fr)