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Retail Trade Cycle And Volume Indicators Recorded An Annual Increase

The retail sector in Cyprus continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with both turnover value and volume registering solid gains. According to the latest data from CySTAT, the Turnover Value Index of Retail Trade for December 2024 increased by 5.8% compared to the same month in 2023, reflecting a strong performance during the crucial holiday shopping season.

At the same time, the Turnover Volume Index of Retail Trade—which measures the actual quantity of goods sold—grew by 3.6% year-over-year, signaling sustained consumer demand despite economic fluctuations.

Full-Year Performance: Consistent Growth In Value And Volume

For the entire January-December 2024 period, the Value Index recorded an estimated 5.4% increase compared to 2023, while the Volume Index rose by 4.3%. These figures suggest a healthy expansion in the country’s retail sector, supported by steady consumer spending and an improving economic landscape.

December’s growth aligns with broader annual trends, reinforcing the resilience of Cyprus’ retail market. While rising costs and global economic uncertainties have impacted various sectors, retail businesses in Cyprus have maintained a strong performance, benefiting from increased purchasing power and evolving consumer habits.

As 2025 unfolds, the sector’s ability to sustain this momentum will depend on factors such as inflation trends, wage growth, and broader economic stability. For now, Cyprus’ retail industry remains on solid footing, demonstrating consistent expansion across both value and volume metrics.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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