Our history
Quality and variety that counts 147 Years. A grocery store becomes a tradition in the Athens market.
We are in Athens, between 1870-1889. The industry begins to develop, and amid the overall economic prosperity, more and more businesses related to food, start to emerge. At the same time, a new class of consumers is born and established here, in the capital of Greece. The demand for quality products is constantly increasing.
The sign of the times
Existing businesses struggle to meet the new demands of consumers. Market conditions in Athens are challenging. In 1877, commercial enterprises are still housed in the stalls of the old Market. It was even said that from the unpleasant smell and poor sanitary conditions, you could tell you were near a grocery store or a butcher’s shop.
Panagiotis Thanopoulos's first steps: a breath of change
A hard-working and ambitious young man from the village of Magouliana in Arcadia will come to change the facts. In 1866, at the age of 14, Panagiotis Thanopoulos was in Athens, working in the grocery store of Christos Karalis, somewhere on Akademias Street. The young apprentice learns everything about the operation of the business and works diligently with great dedication. He soon becomes a partner of Christos Karalis.
In 1877 the 25-year-old merchant decides to open his own shop in a good district of the centre "somewhere in Varvakeios, on Aeolou Street".
This daring venture was destined to be accompanied by significant innovations in customer behaviour, product promotion, hygiene and the aesthetics of the premises and its employees. With extroversion and insight, P. Thanopoulos escapes the constraints of domestic reality and sets high standards: modern commercial enterprises of Europe become a model for the development of his business.
Variety: a concept identified with the name "Thanopoulos"
During those years in Athens, the differences between social classes were reflected in consumption habits. In the lower classes the phenomenon of self-consumption is observed, meaning people primarily consume products they produce themselves. As we move upwards, we encounter consumers seeking high-quality everyday items or even more refined products, such as delicacies from Eastern or high European cuisine.
Thanopoulos' shop aims and succeeds in meeting every need. With an enormous variety for the era (more than 1,000 items on its shelves), it stands out compared to its competitive stores and offers exquisite, luxurious products, as well as consistently high-quality everyday items for all budgets.
The next day of the fire brings... even more innovations
In July 1902 a massive fire destroys an entire city block in the commercial centre of Athens. Along with it, Thanopoulos' grocery store is destroyed, but it would be rebuilt, shaping a new architectural perception of commercial space with modern elements in structure and mode of operation. In other words... the devastating fire not only did not close down Thanopoulos' business, but became an opportunity for renewal, evolution, and modernization.
In the post-fire era, the business continued with small, invigorating "revolutions" in the industry. Thanopoulos was the one to dare to hire women for the first time in retail sales in Greece, at a time when women's work was still considered unusual. Additionally, he introduced the absolute innovation of "delivery" with modern cars when home delivery was still done with carts and donkeys.
Second generation of insight & innovation
The ambitious and visionary Panagiotis is succeeded by his son (1923), Pantelis Thanopoulos, who continues the innovations, maintains the extroverted profile, and also aims to reach the standards of similar businesses abroad. With this purpose, he closely followed the developments in this specific market in various other countries, collaborates with the Romanoff brothers for the production and trade of confectionery products and divides the store into sections (fish shop, butcher's shop, etc.). This is how the first diversified delicatessen in Athens will be created, while in 1931 we already find Thanopoulos' store at the corner of 98 Aeolou Street and Stadiou Street, in Hauhtea.
During the years of the Occupation, the store operates under the supervision initially of the Italians and later of the Germans.
In the 60s and 70s, Thanopoulos creates the first supermarket in Greece
In the 1960s and 1970s, Thanopoulos made significant strides in the retail industry by establishing the first super market in Greece. The pivotal year was 1963, marked by the creation of the company Thanopoulos Self Service SA.
By 1972, the five sons of Pantelis Thanopoulos had successfully developed a chain of 16 self-service stores. D. Thanopoulos proudly expressed, "We were bold; we were the first to create private label products, we introduced computerization in the operation of the company, and we established the self-service system for the first time in Greece." In this innovative business model, grounded in a commitment to quality, variety, and personalized customer service, "Thanopoulos" consistently led the way and outshone its competitors. The company's unwavering faith in these principles allowed it to pioneer advancements in the industry, contributing to its ongoing success.
Thanopoulos: a landmark in the Northern suburbs
The year 1980 is a pivotal moment in the company's history: Dimitrios Thanopoulos, one of the five siblings of the third generation of Thanopoulos, anticipating the rapid residential development in the Northern Suburbs, opens the first store in Nea Kifisia Square under the name "Dimitrios Thanopoulos S.A." Quickly, this modern, comfortable Super Market with an impressive variety of products gains the trust and preference of customers. In 1996, another one opens, opposite the Kifisia ISAP station.
Following are the fourth generation Thanopoulos, Telis, and Periklis, who, steadfast in the values and ideals of the business, continue the family tradition, connecting it with modern consumer needs and the dominance of technology. Their significant priority is to provide proper service to as many customers as possible in functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. For this reason, the Thanopoulos supermarket repeatedly renovates its stores and will open another one in Nea Erythraia.
A century and a half of experience, innovation, excellence
Four generations of evolution, innovation and foresight. This is the imprint of Thanopoulos in the Athens’ retail sector. A business that is an actual proof of how faith and consistency in your values can help you adapt seamlessly to all conditions - easy or difficult. Above all, an actual proof that a «family» business can run for four generations, going through different stages of evolution and retain its family character.
Here, you can find quality and variety that excels, here, they take care of you, here, you enjoy a personal relationship of security and trust with the business. These are the fundamentals for us. That's why shopping at Thanopoulos supermarkets is definitely more than everyday chores. It's an experience!
