Xalkiadakis: The strong card in the hands of Sklavenitis

The local supermarket chain Xalkiadakis may operate in Crete, but it constitutes a powerful business entity, which is quite strongly and clearly associated with the Sklavenitis group, holding 60% of the chain’s shares.

The remaining 40% is owned by the Xalkiadakis family. With a turnover close to 200 million euros and net profits after taxes of 9.69 million euros, the Xalkiadakis chain currently is a strong asset for the largest supermarket group in Greece, Sklavenitis. The business performance from Crete is such that both sides of shareholders, those of Sklavenitis- Xalkiadakis, have every reason to be satisfied.

Activity in the Supermarket Sector in 1980

The business has been in the supermarket sector since 1980. ?In 1994, the Veropoulos group entered its capital. However, the history of the Xalkiadakis family dates back to the early 20th century. It started with a store named "The Spring of Drosos," opened in Garage Mylopotamou, followed by commercial activity in Heraklion, with wholesale and retail stores. According to the company's official page, a significant leap was made when the Xalkiadakis brothers decided to change the image of the local market. The new entrepreneurs knew the consumer of Crete well. Being Cretan themselves, they felt a responsibility towards the customer, who was not a stranger or unknown. They were friends, neighbors, relatives, or at least acquaintances. And a friend demands respect from their friend. Heraklion was smaller and certainly more humane.

Recalling that 60% was purchased about ten years ago by Veropoulos when the latter faced severe financial problems. We will remember that at the end of 2014, almost a week after the announcement of the acquisition of then Makro, Sklavenitis had proceeded with the acquisition of a majority stake in the Cretan supermarket chain Xalkiadakis, selling Veropoulos for 22 million euros. With this move, Sklavenitis managed to further expand its presence outside Athens, in the Crete market, with a strategic partner, the family of Minas Xalkiadakis, and to establish its pioneering role in the highly competitive supermarket sector.

Head of the Chain, Third-Generation Entrepreneur, Christina Xalkiadaki

Christina Xalkiadaki, head of the Cretan supermarket chain, has made a significant contribution to its course in recent years. She is closely identified with the new era of the company, representing the third generation of Xalkiadakis family entrepreneurs while maintaining the role of Managing Director in the Cretan company.

Activity in "Green" Energy

The "green" energy sector is also an area of activity for the Cretan chain. Xalkiadakis realized early on the dynamism and multiple benefits that Renewable Energy Sources bring to the environment, society, and economy. That’s why, 11 years ago, she installed the first photovoltaic system at the company's central facilities at the first kilometer of Gazi-Krousonas.

Today, net metering photovoltaic systems that produce electrical energy and supply power to the stores are located on the roofs of Xalkiadakis supermarkets in Oulof Palme, Ai Giannis, Malia, Kounoupidiana Chania, Kokkini Chani, Kapariana Moires, Sitia, as well as in the "green" Xalkiadakis Max store in Pateles, class A+.

The Cretan chain has established 11 electric vehicle charging stations throughout Crete, and received from DEH (Public Power Corporation) a GreenPass certifying that in the first semester of 2022, the company consumed a total of 6,559 MWh (655,900 Kwh), and that this energy comes exclusively from Renewable Energy Sources.