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Eurozone Retail Trade Remains Flat As Year‐Over‐Year Growth Accelerates

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 7, 2025

The latest preliminary figures released by Eurostat reveal that retail trade volume in the euro area experienced a marginal decline of 0.1% in September 2025, while remaining stable across the European Union. Despite this slight monthly dip, a year‐on‐year analysis tells a more positive story.

Steady Month‐to‐Month Performance

After a 0.1% decrease in August 2025, the euro area’s retail trade volume maintained its level in September. In the broader EU, the figures held steady, highlighting a temporary pause in the fluctuating retail environment. Sector-specific analysis indicates that food, drinks, and tobacco maintained stability in the euro area, while non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) fell by 0.2% and automotive fuel in specialized stores experienced a sharper 1.0% decline.

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Compelling Annual Trends

On an annual basis, the calendar‐adjusted retail sales index demonstrated notable growth. The euro area recorded a 1.0% increase compared with September 2024, while the broader EU outpaced this with a 1.3% rise. This uptick is driven by contrasting performances among member states, with Cyprus leading the charge with an 8.5% increase. Malta and Bulgaria followed with increases of 6.6% and 5.7% respectively.

Divergent Market Performances Across Nations

Conversely, several member states showed declines. Italy faced a 2.3% reduction, with Romania (2.1%), Belgium (0.8%), and Austria (0.1%) trailing behind. On a monthly basis, the largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (1.1%), while Latvia, Slovenia, and Italy also saw significant drops. In contrast, Luxembourg and Malta recorded the highest monthly gains at 1.7%, followed by Estonia (1.5%) and Slovakia (1.4%).

Sector-Specific Insights

When analyzing annual changes in more specific sectors within the euro area, the food, drinks, and tobacco segment increased by 1.0%, and non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) by 1.4%. Notably, automotive fuel in specialized stores decreased by 0.7%. Across the EU, food, drinks, and tobacco grew by 0.5%, non-food products by 1.9%, and automotive fuel in specialized outlets saw a modest gain of 0.5%.

These granular insights offer a clearer picture of the evolving dynamics within the retail sector across Europe, underscoring both resilience and regional variability amid an overall positive annual trend.

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Eurobank Wins Two Euromoney Awards Following Cyprus Merger

Eurobank has been named Cyprus’ Best Bank for 2026 by Euromoney, while also receiving the award for Best Bank for Large Corporates at the publication’s latest Awards for Excellence.

Merger Marks A Milestone

The awards recognise the bank’s performance during 2025, a year marked by the completion of the legal merger between Hellenic Bank and Eurobank Cyprus. The transaction created Eurobank Limited, which the group says is now Cyprus’ largest banking and insurance organisation, with assets exceeding €28 billion.

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Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence evaluate banks’ performance over the previous calendar year, with this edition covering January 1 to December 31, 2025.

Lending, Customers And Digital Growth

Eurobank said its business lending portfolio expanded by around 17 per cent during 2025, while its customer base grew to more than 710,000 retail clients and 11,500 business customers.

The bank also continued its digital expansion, saying more than 96 per cent of transactions are now completed through digital channels, and most financing applications are submitted via its mobile app.

Expanding International Presence

Eurobank also highlighted the opening of its first representative office in India, describing the move as a step toward strengthening business links between Cyprus and India while supporting Cyprus’ role as a gateway to the European Union for Indian businesses and investors.

According to the bank, Euromoney recognised not only the successful completion of the merger but also its lending growth, digital transformation and contribution to Cyprus’ position as an international business and investment hub.

CEO On The Awards

“The Euromoney awards confirm Eurobank’s strong momentum and the successful implementation of our group’s strategy in Cyprus,” Chief Executive Michalis Louis said.

He said the merger strengthened the bank’s ability to support households, businesses and the wider economy, while highlighting continued investment in digital services and the opening of the representative office in India as key milestones during the year.