Well-known foreign brands give vote of confidence to the Cypriot market

Large foreign chains and popular brands from other countries demonstrated their trust in the Cypriot market in 2024.

Brands from the sectors of industry, real estate, clothing, fashion and catering have expanded to Cyprus in recent months, either independently or through partnerships with domestic companies.

Factories, shops and restaurants from abroad were just some of the arrivals of 2024 that made a splash.

• Olympus

Hellenic Dairies inaugurated, in October, the Group's new factory for the production of Halloumi in Cyprus.

The new Olympus unit, which includes buildings with a total area of ​​12,000 sq m, constitutes an investment of almost €70 million.

This is a production facility that produces PDO Halloumi and Anari, with a capacity of 18,000 tons of Halloumi per year, which is equivalent to 40% of Cyprus's total annual Halloumi quantity.

Among other things, it has an anaerobic wastewater treatment unit where its organic load is decomposed and biogas is produced that is utilized as fuel, covering part of its thermal needs. Part of the need for electricity is covered by 3.2 MW photovoltaic panels.

It is recalled that the group's first step in halloumi production took place in 2022 with the acquisition of 49% of the Kouroushis dairy industry.

• Freez (Kassatly Group/BBBI)

The Kassalty Group, a major player in the drinks and beverages industry in Lebanon, which has been producing various categories of beverages since the 1970s, made an investment in the Cypriot market in early 2024.

The Lebanese beverage industry giant has chosen the Cypriot market to expand its operations, through the construction of a new factory in Ypsonas, Limassol.

It is recalled that Boutique Beverages Bottling Factory International LTD (BBBI), a member of the group, was founded in Cyprus, specifically in Limassol, in July 2021 and is active in the production of alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, mainly intended for export.

BBBI's goal was to expand its bottling facilities and specialise in promoting the FREEZ brand in the global market. In this context, bottling in Cyprus began in March 2024 and the plant is now fully operational.

The Kassatly Group has been a family business since 1974, while the group has grown from local and regional markets to global ones, through continuous efforts and development of new products, meeting the ever-changing needs of consumers.

Today the group produces alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which are sold in 40 countries

• Trastor

Trastor, one of the leading investment groups in Greek real estate with a portfolio of 60 high-quality properties with a total value exceeding €0.5 billion, recently expanded its operations in the Cypriot market, following the acquisition of Labs Tower in Nicosia, as a result of the relevant agreement it signed with Whitestreet Investments, a subsidiary of Globe Invest.

In an interview with CBN , the CEO of Athens Stock Exchange-listed Trastor, Tassos Kazinos, whose main shareholder is Piraeus Bank, explained that the acquisition of Labs Tower is not simply an addition to Trastor’s portfolio, as it marks its entry into the Cypriot market. The investment in question, Kazinos said, is an example of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics that the company will seek in future

• Mamas & Papas

The world-renowned baby and children's clothing brand, Mamas & Papas, entered the Cypriot market in November through M&S in Acropolis, following a decision by the Voici La Mode Group (VLM).

This is a pioneering baby brand from the United Kingdom, which stands out for its expertise, trust and a personalised customer service experience.

This arrival promises to offer the best possible support to parents and their children, with high-quality products and modern design.

Based in Huddersfield, England, Mamas & Papas has an impressive range of products, including strollers, baby clothes, furniture, accessories and much more.

Its 40 years of experience and award-winning products strengthen parents' trust, offering them a safe and beautiful experience from the very first moment.

• Miniso

With over 6,000 stores worldwide in more than 100 countries and regions, including hotspots such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, UAE, India, Mexico, Estonia, Miniso has arrived in the Cypriot market.

MyMall Limassol welcomed the internationally renowned Chinese brand at the end of September, the range of which includes quality and affordable products with style.

It is worth mentioning that the arrival in Cyprus is an important step for the expansion of the brand in the region.

As the founder and CEO of Miniso, Ye Guofu accumulated fashion expertise during the period of Chinese economic transformation and seized the opportunity to improve social quality consumption standards, bringing a brand-new business model to China.

With his knowledge and experience in product development, the supply chain and the fashion industry, he managed to establish Miniso, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, into a brand that appeals to young people around the world.

Miniso's products include modern homewares, accessories and toys from well-known brands with distinctive designs of modern technology, which are easy to use, best-selling boxes and collectibles, trendy makeup and beauty products to high-quality toys and snacks.

Miniso's partnerships include well-known brands such as Sanrio, Disney, Pokémon, Care Bears, We Bare Bears and more.

• Lyle & Scott

Nicosia Mall welcomed the Lyle & Scott store in early September, an international lifestyle fashion brand, which stands out for its fashion items in clothing, shoes and accessories.

With a long tradition, dating back to 1874 in Great Britain, the brand with the "Golden Eagle" logo highlights its unbreakable connection with its history through classic, timeless and elegant clothing items that express the trends of the time, without losing their uniqueness.

With a commitment to creativity and innovation, Lyle & Scott evolves in design by focusing on premium, high-quality materials and fashion references.

It is noted that the brand is a sponsor of the football teams APOEL and Omonia in Cyprus and AEK Athens.

• Versace Home

The furniture company Andreotti, which brings the most famous furniture and fashion brands to the world, launched the Versace Home line last summer at the fashion brand store Exclusive by Andreotti.

The luxury collection of the popular Italian house Versace began with home goods in 1992, initially as an idea that included various home textiles, such as duvets, pillows and rugs.

This was followed by a series of impressive and distinctive decorations, such as porcelain vases and plates, reflecting the neoclassical overall glamour of the Italian house, with the much-discussed Medusa as its trademark.

The Versace Home collection was completed with the house's impressive furniture, which combines classic and modern elements, making them contemporary yet timeless pieces.

• Beefbar

The luxurious AMARA hotel, in Limassol, was the reason that convinced Riccardo Giraudi to bring the well-known brand, Beefbar, to Cyprus.

This is the sixth Beefbar in the Mediterranean region, as the chain's restaurants operate in Athens (one), Santorini (one) and Mykonos (one) and Malta (two).

Internationally renowned restaurateur, Riccardo Giraudi, also known as Beefboy, owns approximately 50 restaurants worldwide.

He is not only the exclusive European importer of the best meats in the world, but also a dynamic and creative restaurateur, with a portfolio that includes the famous Beefbar chain and Heritage Brands.

Beefbar is a concept born in Monte Carlo and offers a journey of creative street food and iconic main dishes and sides made with the best cuts of meat from around the world.

Since 2005, in Monte Carlo, it has been breaking the rigid, traditional codes of steakhouses, through sleek lines, clear personality, modern luxury and a 360-degree experience.

• "Pret A Manger" is coming

It is worth noting that, as InBusinessNews and CBN revealed a few days ago, one of the world's leading and extremely popular restaurant brands will soon have a presence in Cyprus, with stores in the United Kingdom, United States, Middle East, India and Europe.

Pret A Manger, which is being brought to our country by a large retail, fashion and catering group, in a move that is clearly shaking up the waters and is expected to create a special sensation, both in the market and among consumers.

(Source: InBusinessNews)