The retail sector recorded excellent performance in 2025, with the new year also continuing the positive trend.
The winter sales that made their appearance at the dawn of 2026 have really heated up the market, with retailers expressing satisfaction with the shopping traffic and turnover. At the same time, an increase in the market pie is evident, as the malls' waiting lists for interested tenants are still long.
Speaking to InBusinessNews, the General Secretary of the Pancyprian Retail Trade Association (PASYLE) Marios Antoniou said that the remarkable performance of the retail sector is largely attributed to the outstanding year for Cypriot tourism and the presence of foreign permanent residents living and working in Cyprus. “2025 ended exceptionally well for retail trade, while according to recent Eurostat data, in November, for the second consecutive month, retail trade in Cyprus recorded the largest increase among the other EU member states in terms of turnover volume,” he noted, emphasising that the new year started on the right foot, with winter sales contributing to increased purchases.
Sales of up to 40% with the weather as an ally
The winter weather scenario particularly helped clothing and footwear, which are the focus of consumers during the sales period.
Retailers express their complete satisfaction with the consumer traffic and purchases from the public, as traffic in the market has been steadily increasing for almost two weeks.
Asked about the amount of the discounts, the General Secretary of PASYLE pointed out that they reach up to 35%-40%, explaining that any other discount beyond 40% mostly concerns old stock, which clothing and footwear retailers want to get rid of.
The market has grown, waiting lists at malls
Retail continues to grow while proving resilient to the shocks and crises of recent years, including the pandemic, Russia-Ukraine, the Middle East, and Houthi attacks.
"The market pie has grown, causing optimism in the sector, as several local or foreign chains intend to either become active or expand with new stores," Marios Antoniou noted, underlining that the waiting list of tenants to join Cyprus' malls is indicative.
There are many prospective tenants interested in opening new stores in existing shopping centres, and also to secure a place in the two new malls in Limassol, provided that they are licensed and receive the long-awaited approval of the Council of Ministers.
Retailers also welcome the fact that, more broadly in the sector, during the festive period, no complaints were submitted to the Consumers' Association for any unfair commercial practices, while the health and veterinary services also appeared satisfied following inspections they carried out in supermarkets and butcher shops during the holidays.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
