Gathering around a lit Christmas tree in Batroun, northern Lebanon, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Azakir/Reuters)
"Sales during this holiday season have been far better than last year's," says Rita*, manager of a beauty products shop located in a shopping mall on the outskirts of Beirut, delighted by a sales increase of "25 to 30 percent." Just a few meters away, Rudy*, a salesperson in a men's clothing and suit store, reports a rise of "nearly 35 percent" in sales compared to last December. This comes as foot traffic in the mall itself is estimated to have increased by nearly 40 percent, according to their estimates. Context Number of tourists to Lebanon expected to increase for the end-of-year holidays Their accounts reflect the general trend displayed by merchants during this period, with a "rise in commercial activity of about 25 percent in Beirut and 20 percent in other regions," according to...
"Sales during this holiday season have been far better than last year's," says Rita*, manager of a beauty products shop located in a shopping mall on the outskirts of Beirut, delighted by a sales increase of "25 to 30 percent." Just a few meters away, Rudy*, a salesperson in a men's clothing and suit store, reports a rise of "nearly 35 percent" in sales compared to last December. This comes as foot traffic in the mall itself is estimated to have increased by nearly 40 percent, according to their estimates. Context Number of tourists to Lebanon expected to increase for the end-of-year holidays Their accounts reflect the general trend displayed by merchants during this period, with a "rise in commercial activity of about 25 percent in Beirut and 20 percent in other regions," according...
