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Cyprus Retail Sector Defies Regional Trends With 8.5% YoY Growth In July 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2025

Cyprus’s retail trade volume surged in July 2025, outpacing the broader euro area and European Union declines, according to Eurostat data. The island’s impressive performance contrasts starkly with regional trends and underscores its strategic market resilience.

Resilient Performance Amid Regional Setbacks

While the euro area recorded a seasonally adjusted 0.5% drop and the EU saw a 0.4% decline from June to July 2025, Cyprus achieved an outstanding 8.5% year-on-year increase in total retail trade volume. In comparison, Portugal and Bulgaria reported moderate gains of 6.1% and 6.0% respectively, with Slovenia experiencing a slight contraction.

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Divergent Monthly and Annual Trends

The data further reveal nuanced shifts across sectors. In the euro area, retail trade in food, drinks, and tobacco fell by 1.1% on a monthly basis, while non-food products excluding automotive fuel edged up by 0.2%. Automotive fuel sales in specialized outlets declined by 1.7%. Similar patterns were observed across the EU, illustrating a cautious consumer outlook amidst fluctuating market conditions.

Regional Leaders And Challenges

Among member states, Croatia, Estonia, and Germany faced the most significant monthly declines, dropping by 4.0%, 2.0%, and 1.5% respectively. In contrast, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Netherlands registered monthly increases of up to 1.5%. Annual sectoral comparisons highlight modest expansion: in the euro area, food, drinks, and tobacco grew by 0.9%, non-food products by 3.1%, and automotive fuel by 2.3%, with the EU reflecting similar gains.

Strategic Implications For Investors And Policymakers

Eurostat’s findings underscore the robustness of Cyprus’s retail sector, which has demonstrated a rare capacity to thrive even as other regions grapple with economic headwinds. This compelling performance not only provides an important signal for local economic recovery, but also positions Cyprus as a focal point for investors and strategic policymakers seeking stability and growth in a fluctuating market.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.