The department stores that transformed the premium retail market in Greece
The attica department stores, a member of IDEAL Holdings, celebrate this year 20 years of leading presence, continuous growth, innovation, and contribution to the development of the Greek market for branded and luxury fashion and beauty products, in line with international trends and standards.
Starting in 2005 from the iconic City Link building — a landmark in the heart of Athens — and through a uniquely successful trajectory, attica has become established as a top destination for shopping experiences and one of the most recognizable brands in the Greek retail market.
From the very beginning, attica has played a pioneering role in shaping the specialized retail (premium retail) sector in Greece, introducing a new shopping philosophy to consumers by bringing in the latest international trends such as experiential retail, enriching product offerings, and upgrading customer service.
Today, attica — supported by a long-term and robust investment strategy, a management team with international experience, consistent high performance, specialized services, and partnerships with over 1,000 brands — welcomes more than 6 million visitors annually to its 4 department stores and 7 additional stores in Athens and Thessaloniki. Meanwhile, its online shopping channel (e-shop) attracts more than 11.4 million annual visitors.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, Demosthenis Boumis, CEO of attica department stores, stated:
“attica is more than just a department store. It is a modern shopping philosophy — a destination offering a complete experience to our customers, who seek top-tier products, high-quality services, and a unique atmosphere. We are particularly proud of our successful journey and growth. We have designed a series of unique celebratory initiatives throughout the year to thank our customers, employees, and partners for their trust over these past 20 years.”
attica is shaping the premium retail market in Greece
For 20 years, attica has been a point of reference, shaping consumer behavior in the fashion and beauty sectors, aligned with global trends and standards.
By investing in experiential retail, attica offers leading premium and niche brands in high-aesthetic stores, combined with best practices in omnichannel services and impeccable customer care.
attica’s dynamic entry into e-commerce in 2017 has also contributed to the growth of online retail in Greece. The attica e-shop holds a leading position in the selective distribution cosmetics sector and offers more than 45,000 fashion and beauty SKUs — a number that continues to grow.
With strategically located stores, attica has also become a major attraction for visitors in Greece. In 2024 alone, tax-free sales to non-EU travelers across all attica department stores increased by 24%.
Strong performance and significant contribution to the economy
With over 2,200 employees (including attica stores and shops-in-a-shop), attica is a major employer, investing in job creation as well as in the education and development of modern skills in the Greek retail market.
At the heart of attica’s growth strategy lies the Elevation Project — one of the most ambitious, large-scale, and long-term investment plans in the Greek retail market, totaling over €40 million. Launched in 2021 and set to complete by 2027, the project has already seen €31.5 million invested in its first phase. For 2025 and the following three years, more than €15 million is planned for the introduction of new brands, services, and technologies.
attica’s strong financial results confirm the strength of its growth strategy. In 2024, operational profitability (EBITDA) rose by 15% to €27.4 million, while retail sales reached €247 million — a 9% increase compared to 2023. Key drivers of this growth included major investments such as the renovation of Golden Hall, the expansion of City Link, the enrichment of the e-shop with new fashion brands, and a 24% increase in tax-free sales to non-EU travelers.
