Retail sales in Cyprus increased by 5.5% year-on-year in June 2026, slowing from a 7.5% rise in May. The deceleration was mainly driven by weaker growth in several categories, including food, beverages and tobacco in non-specialised stores (2.1% vs 7.4% in May), clothing and footwear (17.1% vs 19.4%), and cultural and recreational goods (10.1% vs 11.3%).
Sales continued to contract for automotive fuel (-3.5% vs -3.8%) and for food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-0.5% vs 1.2%).
By contrast, growth strengthened in a number of segments: retail sales not in stores (20.5% vs 3.0%), information and communication equipment (20.1% vs 17.6%), other household equipment (14.1% vs 13.3%), and pharmaceuticals, orthopedic goods and cosmetics (5.6% vs 4.0%).
Excluding automotive fuel, retail trade rose 6.4% in June, down from an 8.7% increase in May. Over the first half of 2026 as a whole, retail sales were up 5.8% compared with the same period a year earlier.
