2025.10.0209:46:20UTC+00Cyprus Retail Sales Growth Eases in August

In August 2025, Cyprus experienced an 8.4% increase in retail sales compared to the same month the previous year, which marks a deceleration from the 8.7% rise observed in July. This slowdown can be attributed mainly to reduced sales growth in specific segments: specialized stores selling food, beverages, and tobacco saw a rise of 16.5%, down from 19.8% in July; similar goods in non-specialized stores increased by 7.7%, compared to 8.4% previously; sales of information and communication equipment grew by 9.8%, down from 12.9%; and pharmaceuticals, orthopedic goods, and cosmetics experienced a 3.9% rise, slowing from 5.1%. Furthermore, sales of automotive fuel declined by 1%, in contrast to a 3.3% increase in the previous month. Conversely, the sales of clothing and footwear accelerated, rising by 18.1% compared to 15.7% in July. Additionally, sales of items such as flowers, plants, watches, jewelry, optical goods, and second-hand goods rose by 11.6%, up from 7.8%; retail sales outside traditional stores jumped 10.7%, compared to 4.9% earlier; and sales of other household equipment also grew by 7.4%, up from 6.6%. Notably, sales of cultural and recreation goods rebounded with a 0.4% increase, following a decline of 1% in July. For the year thus far, retail sales have advanced by 7.4%.