Majority of business report sales slump over Christmas
Nearly half of Maltese businesses experienced a drop in sales during the last festive season, highlighting the pressure many firms continue to face despite stronger annual performance. A new SME Barometer survey found that 44% of businesses recorded lower Christmas turnover compared to the previous year, even as 43% reported higher overall revenues in 2025. The gains, however, are not translating into profitability. Only a quarter of respondents said they were more profitable, while the rest reported stagnant or declining profits. Rising operational costs remain the main concern, with salary increases and higher import prices pushing firms to raise prices. The survey also reveals shifting consumer habits, with Black Friday overtaking Christmas Eve as the single most important sales day. Business sentiment remains cautious, as most respondents believe Malta is heading in the wrong direction and show limited confidence in investing over the coming year. (Times of Malta)
Childcare remarks by Gozo Bishop spark backlash
Comments by Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma on childcare centres have triggered strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with critics arguing that his remarks unfairly judge working parents. Teuma condemned childcare centres as places where parents send children because they “have something to do,” suggesting babies risk being treated as objects. Parliamentary Secretary for Equality Rebecca Buttigieg firmly rejected this view, questioning the authority behind such statements and defending childcare as a social and educational service. Buttigieg, herself a parent using childcare facilities, stressed that free childcare has played a key role in helping women achieve financial independence while supporting children’s early development. She described Teuma’s comments as unjust and disconnected from the realities faced by thousands of families. The controversy has reignited debate on work-life balance, gender equality and the role of public services in supporting modern family structures. (Maltatoday)
National crafts strategy unveiled
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri has launched Malta’s first National Strategy for the Crafts Sector, alongside plans for a new family entertainment park at the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village. The proposed park, set to cover more than 13,000 square metres, aims to complement the surrounding artisan activity while creating a high-quality recreational destination. Schembri said the strategy forms part of Vision Malta 2050, placing cultural heritage, identity and traditional skills at the centre of long-term national development. The document is designed as a living framework, supporting innovation while ensuring that Maltese craftsmanship continues to evolve rather than fade. The initiative is expected to increase visitor numbers and create new commercial opportunities for artisans. Malta Crafts Foundation CEO Elton Micallef described the strategy as a historic milestone, offering clarity, confidence and a sustainable vision for the sector’s future.
