Clothing Market Boom: Consumer Spending Reached Record Highs in May

In May 2025, consumer spending on clothing and accessories in Georgia showed impressive growth — according to TBC Bank data, this figure increased by 37% year-on-year. The average spending on cashless transactions reached 106 GEL, providing clear evidence of a new wave of activity in the country’s shopping industry. Interestingly, during this period, 83% of cashless spending came from local consumers, although the share of non-residents also rose significantly, reaching 17%.
In the case of non-residents, the average spending per transaction was almost twice as high as that of residents — 209 GEL. Non-residents recorded the highest annual growth in spending, which reached 43%. This trend clearly reflects both the increase in tourist flows and the impact of new collections and promotions offered by stores on the household budgets of foreigners.
There was noticeable growth among residents as well — cashless spending rose by 36%, with the average transaction amount reaching 96 GEL. According to experts, one of the main drivers of this growth is the low base effect, but this is also supported by rising household incomes, lifestyle changes, and the diversification of sales offers.

Such rapid growth in the clothing and accessories market is interesting against the backdrop of global trends: in Georgia, as in developed countries around the world, consumers are increasingly opting for cashless payments, using plastic cards and digital wallets, while stores are placing greater emphasis on digital services and innovative methods of attracting customers.
The record spending in May indicates that retail trade in Georgia is entering a new stage of development, with both importers and local brands allocating more resources to meet the needs of both local and foreign consumers. If this trend continues, the retail sector in clothing and accessories will achieve significant financial results by the end of the year, providing a positive boost not only to market players but to the country’s economy as a whole.