retail sales — Retail sales in Cyprus have experienced a significant boost, with the latest figures showing a robust rise in both value and volume indices for April 2026. The Turnover Value Index of Retail Trade, excluding motor vehicles, climbed by 5.8 per cent year-on-year, reaching 141.0 units, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).
- Pharmaceuticals, orthopaedic goods, and cosmetics reported a value increase of 2.4 per cent, with a 1.8 per cent rise in volume, reflecting steady consumer demand in health and personal care.
- Sales from retail channels not located in stores fell by 5.1 per cent in value and 3.4 per cent in volume during April, highlighting the challenges faced by online and non-traditional retail avenues.
- Cystat compiles these figures through monthly telephone enquiries and emails, providing a detailed picture of retail activity across the country.
April’s performance reflects a continued upward trend, with the Turnover Volume Index also increasing by 2.9 per cent on an annual basis, now at 122.1 units. This growth indicates that the retail sector is not only expanding in monetary terms but also in real activity, marking a positive outlook for the economy.
During the January to April 2026 period, retail trade turnover showed substantial growth, with the value index rising by 6.4 per cent compared to the same months in 2025. The volume index followed suit, with a 5.5 per cent increase, suggesting a healthy market environment in the early months of the year.
Among the highlights of April’s sales figures, automotive fuel led the charge with a remarkable 16.5 per cent annual increase in value. However, it is noteworthy that the volume index for fuel fell by 3.6 per cent, indicating a potential shift in consumer purchasing behaviour.
Other household equipment categories also shone, achieving a 10.3 per cent rise in value and an impressive 11.7 per cent increase in volume. This sector encompasses a range of products from construction materials to furniture, illustrating a strong demand for home-related goods.
In the cultural and recreation goods segment, which includes books, sports equipment, and toys, the value index increased by 9.9 per cent, while the volume index saw an 11.2 per cent rise. This suggests that consumers are investing in leisure and recreational activities, contributing to overall market vitality.
The information and communication equipment category reported a 6.4 per cent increase in value, alongside a striking 17.7 per cent surge in volume, marking the most substantial growth in real terms among the main retail categories. This trend reflects the ongoing digital transformation and consumer reliance on technology.
Supermarkets also played a crucial role in the retail growth, with sales of food, beverages, and tobacco in non-specialised stores rising by 5.9 per cent in value and 2.4 per cent in volume. This data highlights the resilience of essential goods despite fluctuations in other categories.
However, not all sectors fared well. Specialised stores selling food, beverages, and tobacco saw a modest 2 per cent increase in value, but their volume index fell by 3.3 per cent, indicating challenges within specialised retail sectors.
Pharmaceuticals, orthopaedic goods, and cosmetics reported a value increase of 2.4 per cent, with a 1.8 per cent rise in volume, reflecting steady consumer demand in health and personal care.
Conversely, clothing and footwear experienced a decline of 1.9 per cent in value, despite a 3.8 per cent increase in volume. This discrepancy suggests that while more items are being sold, consumers may be opting for lower-priced options.
The category for flowers, plants, watches, jewellery, optical goods, and second-hand goods edged down by 0.2 per cent in value, with a more significant volume drop of 8.2 per cent, signalling a potential reduction in luxury spending.
Sales from retail channels not located in stores fell by 5.1 per cent in value and 3.4 per cent in volume during April, highlighting the challenges faced by online and non-traditional retail avenues.
When excluding automotive fuel, the overall retail trade still showed a healthy increase, with values rising by 4.8 per cent and volumes by 3.5 per cent. Edible goods rose by 5.5 per cent in value and 1.8 per cent in volume, while non-edible goods experienced growth of 3.9 per cent in value and 5.4 per cent in volume.
Over the first four months of 2026, information and communication equipment recorded the highest cumulative increase in volume at 21.2 per cent, followed closely by other household equipment with an 11.5 per cent rise. Value-wise, other household equipment increased by 10.8 per cent, indicating robust consumer confidence in home improvement.
Despite overall growth, clothing and footwear saw a 1.7 per cent decline in value during the January-April period, while specialised food, beverage, and tobacco stores experienced a 1.1 per cent drop in volume, underscoring the market’s varied performance across sectors.
Cystat compiles these figures through monthly telephone enquiries and emails, providing a detailed picture of retail activity across the country.
