This year’s holiday shopping period saw high levels of satisfaction among both consumers and traders, with most people preferring shopping malls for their purchases, it was reported on Wednesday.

The head of the Cyprus Consumers’ Association Marios Droushiotis said “We are pleased with the market activity. To be honest, I expected less traffic than what we witnessed, which is a pleasant surprise.”

He noted that shoppers were actively purchasing goods, both in shopping malls and street shops. However, the traffic in shopping malls was notably higher than in street shops, partly due to the rainy weather, Droushiotis told Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

He expressed concern about the declining patronage of smaller street shops, highlighting the importance of their survival for the local economy and employment.

Regarding consumer complaints, Droushiotis reported minimal issues, with only three cases of delayed online gift deliveries. “Consumers should be mindful that delivery times during the Christmas period can double due to increased demand,” he advised.

He anticipated that some complaints might surface after Epiphany on January 6, particularly related to returns, which are not legally mandated and depend on individual store policies.

As for the upcoming sales, Drousiotis expects the post-Epiphany period to bring intensified discount campaigns, with shopping patterns likely similar to previous years. He predicted high interest in clothing and footwear, with less focus on technology products.

For his part,executive secretary of the Cyprus Association of Supermarkets Adamos Hadjiadamou, also expressed satisfaction with the holiday season. “We are fully satisfied; we performed exceptionally well,” he said, crediting efforts such as promotions, product variety, price comparisons, and absorbing certain cost increases.

Although official figures are not yet available, Hadjiadamou estimated that supermarket activity matched or exceeded last year’s levels.
He confirmed there were no issues with product availability or quality, attributing this to effective oversight and a modernised approach among both large and small retailers. “There has been a notable shift in mentality in recent years, with order and professionalism becoming standard in our sector,” he said.

Hadjiadamou also highlighted price stability despite broader inflationary pressures over the past two years. He noted that while prices for fruits, vegetables, and meat saw slight increases, supermarkets counterbalanced this with extended promotions and an expanded product range.

Looking ahead to the new year, Hadjiadamou emphasised the importance of healthy competition within the retail sector. Regarding the implementation of the e-basket initiative, he confirmed, “We have been ready for a long time and are awaiting its rollout.”