Cyprus Outperforms EU Retail Growth With Record Annual Increase In December 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 10, 2026

Overview

In a striking development for the European retail sector, Cyprus recorded an 8.2% year-on-year increase in retail trade volume in December 2025, registering the strongest annual growth among EU member states. This performance sets Cyprus apart from its peers, including Bulgaria and Luxembourg.

EU Retail Trade Performance

While Cyprus experienced robust gains, the broader euro area saw a modest 0.5% decline in retail trade volume in December 2025 compared to November. Similarly, the overall EU figures indicated a 0.5% drop month-on-month, despite previous increases in November. The calendar-adjusted retail sales index, however, managed to edge upwards by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.7% across the EU on an annual basis.

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Category Trends

Disaggregated data revealed mixed trends across retail categories. In the euro area, retail volumes for food, drinks, and tobacco experienced a slight monthly increase of 0.1%, while non-food product sales (excluding automotive fuel) dropped by 1.2%. Automotive fuel sales at specialized outlets remained stable. Conversely, within the EU, food, drinks, and tobacco sales recorded a minor downturn of 0.1%, and non-food products fell by 0.9% month-on-month, although automotive fuel sales enjoyed a modest rise of 0.1%.

Annual Performance by Sector

On an annual scale, the euro area saw a 1.2% increase in food, drinks, and tobacco sales, along with a 1.6% upsurge in non-food items. Automotive fuel sales in specialized stores in the euro area increased by 0.9% year-on-year. Across the EU, similar trends were observed with food, drinks, and tobacco sales advancing by 0.8%, non-food products witnessing a 2.0% rise, and automotive fuel sales climbing by 2.4%. Among individual member states, Cyprus led the annual growth rankings, followed by Bulgaria and Luxembourg, while Slovakia, Romania, and Estonia recorded declines.

Conclusion

The data underscore a stark contrast in retail performance at the close of 2025. Cyprus not only outshone its European counterparts with its stellar 8.2% annual growth but also highlighted underlying vulnerabilities in other EU markets. For industry leaders and investors, these trends serve as a critical indicator of evolving market dynamics across the continent.

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Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 1, 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

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Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.

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