Retail activity declines in Paphos ahead of the Easter holiday

Local businesses in the center of Paphos report a significant decrease in visitor traffic and reservations ahead of the upcoming Easter holiday. Despite decorative efforts to improve the atmosphere, merchants state that the market remains stagnant. Kyriakos Kyriakou, a shop owner with over 30 years of experience, attributed the slowdown to geopolitical instability and rising costs of goods. He further noted that the early date of Easter this year, combined with unseasonably cool weather, has negatively impacted sales of seasonal clothing and footwear. Andri Koupepidou, a gift shop owner on Chrysanthou Street, corroborated reports of low foot traffic. Both merchants expressed concern over current economic conditions and the financial burden of shop maintenance. While some shopkeepers remain pessimistic about the immediate future, there is a expressed hope for increased consumer interest in the coming month.