Mr Stefanos Goudetsides, the son of Greek immigrants living in Dusseldorf, studied Computer Science and Chemistry but eventually chose a more exciting job. For 10 years he mulled over the idea of bringing relatively unknown Greek flavours to Germany.
He finally made his dream come true, opening an online supermarket, www.hellasshop.de, with two partners. The supermarket sells Greek products: Greek olive oil, dolmades, wine, ouzo, Greek coffee cups and much else.
German consumers have come to know and appreciate Greek quality products through the online supermarket, which is now a successful e-commerce enterprise. Apart from traditional Greek goods, German customers are particularly interested in organic products such as cosmetics made from organic Greek olive oil.
You don’t have to buy in bulk, but there are delivery charges for purchases under 49 euros. Purchases over this amount are delivered to your door free of charge.
It’s hard work, demanding precision and speed as the products have a sell-by date, but Mr Goudetsides’ idea has proven a real goldmine.