Strong Growth Across Value And Volume Metrics

The Cyprus retail landscape demonstrated impressive momentum in April 2026, as reported by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). Both value and volume indices registered notable annual increases. The Turnover Value Index of Retail Trade (excluding motor vehicles) advanced by 5.8% year-on-year, reaching 141.0 units, while the Turnover Volume Index grew by 2.9% to 122.1 units. This dual expansion underscores a healthy retail activity, both in monetary terms and real units sold.

Sector Specific Performances

Growth remained broadly positive during the first four months of the year. Between January and April 2026, the value index increased by 6.4% compared with the same period of 2025, while the volume index rose by 5.5%. Automotive fuel recorded the largest increase in value, rising 16.5% year-on-year, although sales volumes declined by 3.6%. Other household equipment, including furniture, electrical appliances, lighting products, carpets and construction materials, posted gains of 10.3% in value and 11.7% in volume.

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Cultural and recreational goods also performed strongly, with value and volume increasing by 9.9% and 11.2% respectively. Information and communication equipment recorded one of the largest volume increases, rising 17.7%, alongside a 6.4% increase in value.

Divergent Trends And Category Insights

Non-specialised stores, including supermarkets, reported a 5.9% increase in value and a 2.4% rise in volume for food, beverages and tobacco. By comparison, specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores recorded a 2% increase in value while sales volumes declined by 3.3%. Pharmaceuticals, orthopaedic goods and cosmetics posted more moderate gains, with value increasing by 2.4% and volume by 1.8%.

Not all categories recorded growth. Clothing and footwear sales declined by 1.9% in value despite a 3.8% increase in volume. Categories including flowers, plants, jewellery, watches, optical goods and second-hand products reported a 0.2% decline in value and an 8.2% decrease in volume. Non-store retail sales also fell, declining by 5.1% in value and 3.4% in volume.

Aggregated Results And Future Outlook

Excluding automotive fuel, retail trade increased by 4.8% in value and 3.5% in volume. Food products recorded a 5.5% increase in value and a 1.8% rise in volume, while non-food goods grew by 3.9% in value and 5.4% in volume. Over the January-April period, information and communication equipment recorded the strongest cumulative volume growth at 21.2%. Other household equipment followed with an 11.5% increase in volume and a 10.8% rise in value. Cultural and recreational goods and supermarket sales also recorded gains, while clothing and footwear posted a 1.7% decline in value. Specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores reported a 1.1% decrease in volume during the four months.