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Fourlis Group Delivers Robust Growth In 2025 Amid Expanding Retail Footprint

Fourlis Group has reported a notable surge in sales and profitability for the first nine months of 2025, driven by the continued expansion of its IKEA, Intersport, and Foot Locker networks across Greece, Cyprus, and Romania. The consolidated results underscore the company’s disciplined strategy and robust operating performance.

Impressive Financial Results

The latest financials display a marked increase in revenue to €430.7 million from €390 million the previous year. Gross profit rose to €200.7 million compared to €180.2 million in 2024, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased to €53.7 million, resulting in a margin of 12.5 percent.

Furthermore, Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) climbed to €30.6 million from €21.9 million, and net profit nearly doubled to €13 million, up from €7.5 million, driven by enhanced operating productivity and stronger contributions from associates.

Dominance of The IKEA Division

The IKEA division remains the largest revenue contributor with sales reaching €170.4 million, marking a 5.1 percent year-on-year increase. Gross profit for the division advanced to €73.4 million, while segment EBIT expanded to €12 million from €8.2 million, buoyed by new store openings and sustained customer demand.

Sports Retail and Health Segments Surge

The sports retail segment, which includes Intersport and Foot Locker, delivered significant growth. Sales increased to €157.7 million from €130.7 million, with EBITDA rising to €14.3 million and EBIT improvement from €2.3 million to €4.3 million. Similarly, the Holland & Barrett health and wellness segment experienced growth with revenue climbing to €24 million from €19.3 million, and an increase in gross profit to €17.2 million, supported by an EBITDA of €1.5 million.

Strategic Investment And Regional Expansion

Fourlis Group maintained a high level of investment activity during the period. Total capital expenditures reached €106.6 million, which included €63.8 million allocated for property via Trade Estates, €27.6 million for digital transformation initiatives, and €10.1 million towards expanding store footprints across its key retail brands. Although the majority of operations are centered in Greece and Romania, Fourlis continues to solidify its strategic presence in Cyprus, operating the IKEA store in Nicosia, a Pick-Up & Order Point in Limassol, and complementing these with the Cyprus e-shop and various sports retail outlets.

For further details, please visit the official Fourlis website.

Resilience In The Face Of Cyber Challenges

While the Cyprus operations experienced a temporary disruption due to a ransomware cyberattack last year, affecting online services including the e-commerce platform, the company confirmed that no personal data was compromised and that online operations were gradually restored. Despite this challenge, Fourlis remains committed to its growth trajectory for 2025.

Looking Ahead

Analysts observe that Greek retailers are strategically expanding across the Cypriot market, reshaping the local landscape in home furnishings, sportswear, and consumer goods. With an EBITDA-adjusted figure of €57.5 million signaling improved operating performance, Fourlis Group anticipates stable growth for the remainder of 2025, underpinned by ongoing network expansion, resilient consumer demand, and a continued focus on investment in logistics and digital systems.

Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

Uol
eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm

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