The Turkish Retailers Federation (TPF) released the results of its field assessment for the second quarter of the year. Based on observations from approximately 10,000 member stores, there has been a marked improvement in consumer shopping habits.
TPF Chairman Ömer Düzgün noted that the normalization process in the economy is reflected in consumer psychology, and said, "Our second-quarter field assessments show that the slowdown in food inflation is also reflected in our citizens' shopping behavior. The fear of 'a price hike will come tomorrow' that has long been felt is largely fading away. Consumers are now shopping based on their actual needs, not just to shield themselves from price increases."
Düzgün emphasized that the weight of staple foods in shopping baskets is decreasing, and that products from different categories such as personal care, cleaning, and snacks are beginning to see renewed demand. "This change is one of the important indicators of both consumer confidence and the normalization of markets," he said.
Drawing attention to the responsibility undertaken by local chain markets in the fight against inflation, Ömer Düzgün said, "Our members have continued to stand by our citizens by keeping supply chains strong and managing shelf prices as steadily as possible. Local chains are not just businesses that sell products; they are also a crucial balancing element that helps maintain price stability."
Underscoring that the positive trend in inflation must become permanent, Düzgün said, "Although cost pressures persist in some product groups, the overall picture shows that the pace of price increases in staple foods has slowed markedly. For the gains achieved in the fight against inflation to be lasting, everyone from producers to public institutions must act with the same determination."
Düzgün also touched on unplanned store investments in the retail sector, describing the opening of many stores on the same street or in the same neighborhood in a short time as "store inflation." To preserve healthy competition, objective criteria such as population density, regional needs, commercial capacity, and urban planning should be taken into account in store openings, he said. "Our goal is not to limit competition, but to strengthen healthy competition," Düzgün stated, adding that a planning model in this direction would be beneficial for the sector's future.
