Christmas holiday shopping hours take effect

Shopping hours for Christmas have gone into effect until January 3, with thousands of small businesses pinning their hopes of survival on holiday sales.   Shops will remain open during the week from 9am until 9pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 6pm (supermarkets and department stores stay open till 8pm).   This Sunday, December 18, shops will open from 10am to 6pm, and remain closed on January 2.   The financial crisis has hammered the retail sector. A small business association, the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESSE), says the crisis has already forced 68,000 of its members to close, and predicts that another 50,000 could go out of business in 2012, basing its forecast on accumulated debts. Some 28,000 working in small businesses have lost their jobs so far this year, according to association figures.   The ESEE leader met with EU-IMF debt inspectors this week, and expressed opposition to wage cuts, instead calling for a three-year pay freeze.