Filenews 10 October 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
The high traffic rates recorded by shopping malls in Cyprus, as opposed to shopping streets and shops that "vegetate" in city centers, have created new data for entrepreneurs.
As "F" is informed, behind the scenes there is a battle going on between businessmen and well-known brands to secure a place in the shopping centers. Professionals in the sector told "F" that entrepreneurs have turned en masse to shopping malls, closing stores that operated on shopping streets or planning to expand their network exclusively within the Malls.
According to the same sources, it would not be an exaggeration to say that many entrepreneurs are on a "waiting list" to claim opportunities that will arise from the closure of stores already established in shopping centers.
Battle over where to build them
At the same time, in addition to the competition for a place in the existing shopping centers, a second "war" has broken out over the locations where new Malls will be built.
A typical example is the plans for the construction of two new shopping centers in Limassol, in the areas of Agios Athanasios and Mesa Geitonia. What is striking is not the creation of two new Malls, but the fact that the distance separating them is only 300 meters. This is also the reason why residents and municipal councils have expressed strong reactions, arguing that their construction will worsen the already acute traffic problem in the area.
In fact, these two projects are being put to public consultation, one today and the other at the end of the month, and the positions of residents and local authorities are awaited with interest. The reactions, however, are not limited there. Shopkeepers in the area are also against the plans, expressing fears that the operation of new Malls will further reduce their turnover and, as previous examples show, will lead many to forced closure or even bankruptcy.
Trade routes
It is now self-evident that the development and operation of shopping malls has led many shopping streets to wither. But, as professionals in the field commented to "F", the demonization of the Malls is not going to solve the problem. According to the same sources, retail needs both shopping malls and shopping streets to function in a balanced way. It is therefore not necessary to give preference to strengthening one sector at the expense of the other. What the local authorities and the competent bodies must do, as they point out, is to create the necessary infrastructure so that the shopping routes can compete with the shopping centers.
The main advantage of Malls, they explain, is free parking and ease of access. If local authorities ensure similar conditions on commercial routes, i.e. by creating free parking spaces and better traffic regulation, these areas could be revitalised.
