Greeks in mass boycott over euro price rises

Greek consumers, tired of being ripped off by price increases since the introduction of the euro, hit back yesterday by boycotting shops in protest.

Sending a message out to price hikers, the majority of stores were empty after consumer protection groups called on the public to abstain from spending a single euro on the market. Reports indicated that business was down by about 70% in shops and supermarkets.

Opinion polls indicated that three quarters of Greeks approved of the boycott, as 70% of consumers said they felt prices of goods and services had risen dramatically.