The yearly Black Friday shopping event has caused very different reactions across Cyprus, revealing a clear split between large shopping centers and small business groups. While major malls report strong customer interest and better discounts, representatives for smaller shops argue that this imported sales tradition does not match what local shoppers really want. This creates two conflicting stories about an event that usually marks the start of the holiday shopping season.
According to the management at the Mall of Cyprus, this year's Black Friday showed clear improvements. Marketing director Giorgos Pissis reported noticeably more shoppers and greater enthusiasm compared to past years. He explained that this success was due to retailers improving their discount strategies. "This year's promotions were more focused. We offered major discounts of up to sixty percent on items like electronics and clothing, and this really appealed to customers," Pissis said. By concentrating the best deals into one day, instead of spreading them out, they successfully created a sense of urgency.
In sharp contrast, the Pan-Cyprian Federation of Small Shopkeepers (Povek) believes that Black Friday has lost its credibility. Secretary General Stefanos Koursaris stated that the event in Cyprus is very different from the intense, short sales seen in other countries. "Our version has become a weak copy of the original," Koursaris claimed. He pointed out that most discounts were only 20-30%, with bigger reductions usually on old stock. This difference between the expected bargains and the real offers has led to customer disappointment.
The situation is made more complex by the fact that many businesses save their newest products for the Christmas and New Year shopping period. This means that the selection of premium items during Black Friday is often limited. While this is a sensible strategy for individual shops, it reduces the overall appeal of the event for shoppers looking for high-quality goods.
At the same time, consumer protection groups have increased their warnings. They advise shoppers to be extra careful by comparing prices online, understanding return policies, and acting quickly on time-limited offers. They also recommend checking that a store is part of an official dispute resolution system, in case any problems arise with a purchase.
Ultimately, the different views on Black Friday reflect bigger questions about discount culture in Cyprus. The debate goes beyond a single shopping day and highlights the ongoing tension between global traditions and local habits, between large malls and small shops, and between marketing promises and the actual shopping experience. As the retail sector deals with economic challenges, these disagreements may signal more significant changes to come for the island's business landscape.