Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi, I just wondered if anyone has been shopping in the South in the last couple of days and if so, whether you have seen any effects of the banking crisis? I was thinking of going food shopping tomorrow but I wondered if it is worth it if I'm going to encounter empty shelves or trouble paying by card etc...

The reports I've seen on UK news have been conflicting. One said there were no shoppers in the main Nicosia shopping area, but in another, plenty of customers in the supermarkets as worries about food supplies drying up are mounting. This seems to be because suppliers are demanding payment in cash.

The press reports I have seen show basics have been cleared from the shelves. The main reason is everyone in the chain of production will only take cash, so nothing made, nothing in shops.
But then that is only what I have read in press and we all know what that could mean.

That said I would not waste petrol and insurance, there are plenty of food supplies in our own shops. Actually I do not anyway, just cannot see the point buying everything in our own shops.

We went Thursday & a friend went Friday we can report that Carrefour & Alpha Mega were busy but shelves were stocked as normal.

All normal on Friday at the Mall of Cyprus and all normal at the Mall of Engomi when we popped in on our way back from Larnaca on Saturday.

Thanks for the replies. We went to Alphamega today and didn't notice much difference apart from a couple of the smaller shops/kiosks were closed but thankfully not the ones we needed to buy from. There was plenty of food on the shelves and basics such as bread and milk seemed to have normal stock levels. We paid cash, though others seemed to be paying with cards without any problems.

Cyprusishome - normally I do get all of my shopping in the North but occasionally I like to treat myself to a few things from the South that you just can't get here, plus it's excuse to go and explore the rest of the island

There is the odd thing we buy on exploration trips as well but found over last 3 /4 years I can get everything required here as a norm. Was persuaded to go over to do the shopping thing about 12 months ago and came out of Carrefore with less than half a bag, just too expensive.

Went over today, Bank Hols but Ladra st pretty much open. Lots of people about but not comfortable to be there.

For information, I was told by a Greek Cypriot that the following 3 Monday's in a row were all bank holidays: 25.03, 01.04 & 08.04.

At that time I was informed he did not know which shops would be open or which would be closed. Maybe an idea to avoid all just in case!