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Cyprus Emerges As Eu Retail Champion With 10.4% Growth In September 2025

Cyprus has distinguished itself as the leader in retail trade performance within the European Union for September 2025. According to data released by Eurostat, the country’s retail trade volume in food, beverages, and tobacco surged by 10.4% compared to September 2024, marking the highest annual growth among EU nations with available data.

Regional Comparisons And Emerging Trends

Across the broader European Union, retail sales in this key category experienced a modest year-on-year increase of 0.5%, while the euro area observed a 1.0% rise. Out of 25 EU member states reporting data, 15 recorded annual gains. Noteworthy performances include Spain with a 4.5% increase and Malta at 4.4%, although both figures pale in comparison to Cyprus’s double-digit expansion.

Contrasting Performances Across The Union

In contrast to these gains, several EU member states experienced declines in retail trade volumes. Estonia saw the steepest drop at 4.8%, followed by Romania at 4.5%, and Belgium at 3.4%. The Eurostat report underscores that while overall growth in retail trade remains modest yet stable, the dynamic consumer activity in southern European economies, particularly Cyprus, points to a resilient and adaptable market environment.

Eurobank Plans €1 Billion Investment In AI And Digital Banking By 2028

Eurobank plans to invest about €1 billion in technology from 2025 through 2028, its largest technology investment program to date. The Banking Forward strategy focuses on digital banking, artificial intelligence, customer experience and a “phygital” model combining digital services with face-to-face support.

Digital Banking Dominates Customer Activity

Digital channels already account for 96% of Eurobank transactions, with 61% completed through the Eurobank Mobile App. Among customers aged 35 and under, digital adoption reaches 94%.

Customers make about 574 million annual logins across e/m-banking and more than 1 million digital transactions each day. During the first half of 2026, one in three banking products was acquired digitally.

AI Moves Into Everyday Banking

Eurobank is expanding the use of AI through tools including EVA, its digital customer assistant, and myEVA, an AI-powered voice assistant for employees. The technology is also being applied to mortgage assessments, customer feedback analysis and contractual documents.

The bank’s technology architecture is built around five areas: digital channels, customer experience orchestration, data and AI, core banking, and infrastructure and cloud. About 50% of its applications and digital channels are already cloud-based.

Investment Extends Beyond Technology

The program is intended to reshape how Eurobank operates, combining automation and AI with employee development and human support. The bank says the approach is designed to improve services while maintaining access to face-to-face banking when customers need it.

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