Turkey – Retail and Consumer Issues

What are the typical opening hours for shops in Turkey?

Turkish shops generally follow fairly consistent opening hours, though many trade well into the evening and some operate around the clock. This retail culture stands in clear contrast to countries with strict trading hour regulations — Germany, for instance, significantly limits Sunday trading by law — whereas Turkey imposes very few legal constraints on when businesses may open their doors.

Most supermarkets are open every day of the week from 10am until 10pm. In larger urban areas, certain stores begin trading as early as 8 or 9am and remain open until midnight during the warmer summer months, when later shopping is common.

Discount chains such as ŞOK, BİM, and A101 typically close between 8pm and 9pm, whereas mid-range stores including Migros, CarrefourSA, and Macro Center tend to stay open until 10pm. Small local convenience shops — called bakkals — set their own schedules according to the owner’s preferences, a pattern particularly evident outside the major cities.

Beyond the big urban centres, trading hours become far more variable and largely reflect the individual owner’s wishes. In rural towns and villages, it is quite normal to encounter shops that shut for a lengthy midday break, especially during the summer heat.

Shopping centres (alışveriş merkezleri) operate on predictable daily timetables. Most major malls open at 10am and close at 10pm, seven days a week, including Sundays — making them a dependable option for those who need to shop at weekends.

In certain regions, some shops may close briefly around Friday lunchtime prayers, though it is common for at least one member of staff to remain present. During the two principal religious public holidays — Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) and Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı) — many smaller shops and businesses shut for several days. Banks and government offices also take an additional half-day on the eve of these occasions. Large supermarkets and shopping centres usually remain open throughout public holidays, albeit sometimes with adjusted hours, so it is worth checking in advance.

Weekly open-air markets — known as pazar — are a cherished tradition throughout Turkey. These lively bazaars, where local growers bring fresh seasonal produce, are held on different days of the week in each neighbourhood or district, and may take place in open or partially covered spaces.

What forms of payment are typically accepted in Turkey?

Turkey’s payment landscape blends established and modern methods. Credit cards enjoy wide acceptance in city shopping centres, local markets, and online platforms. One crucial difference newcomers should be aware of is that a number of internationally popular digital payment services are unavailable here.

Turkish banking regulations prohibit well-known international digital wallets — including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay — from operating within the country. In their place, residents rely on domestically developed solutions such as Paycell and BKM Express, both of which are linked to major Turkish banks. This is a practical consideration for anyone accustomed to making payments by tapping a smartphone or smartwatch at the checkout.

In 2024, card payments accounted for 50% of all transactions in Turkey, while 30% were conducted using cash. Physical currency — the Turkish Lira — remains a staple of everyday spending, particularly for small purchases. Carrying some cash is always advisable, especially when visiting smaller retailers, market stalls, or travelling beyond the main cities.

Contactless payment has grown substantially in Turkey in recent years. Data from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) shows that contactless transactions numbered just 2 million per month in 2015; by 2024, that figure had surged to 1 billion per month. Most card readers at larger retailers support contactless payment via Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards bearing the relevant symbol.

TROY is a nationally operated mobile contactless payment scheme run by BKM (the Interbank Card Centre), which issued more than 2 million cards within its first year of operation. The Turkish Central Bank introduced national QR codes in 2020 to further encourage mobile payments, and merchants accepting digital or card payments are now required to support QR infrastructure. These QR-based transactions are processed through mobile banking apps connected to Turkish bank accounts.

Smaller businesses and more remote areas may deal exclusively in cash, so it is prudent to have a reasonable amount of local currency available, particularly when venturing beyond Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir. ATMs are plentiful in cities and towns throughout the country.

What are the major supermarkets in Turkey, and how do they differ?

Turkey’s supermarket sector is well established, with a clear hierarchy running from no-frills budget discounters through to premium retailers. Familiarising yourself with the different chains will help you navigate the options and find what you need at a price that suits you.

At the budget end of the spectrum — broadly comparable to Aldi and Lidl in terms of pricing — ŞOK, A101, and BİM are excellent choices and have outlets in virtually every neighbourhood. These three chains collectively dominate the discount market. BİM was established in 1995 and has grown into one of Turkey’s leading discount supermarket operators, commanding one of the highest market shares in the sector. Importantly, ŞOK, A101, and BİM are all halal-certified retailers and do not stock alcoholic beverages.

Migros and Carrefour cover a broad range of everyday requirements, from bakery products and fresh fish to cleaning supplies, stationery, and fruit and vegetables. These mid-range chains are broadly equivalent to mainstream supermarkets found across Europe. CarrefourSA is headquartered in Maltepe, Istanbul, and was founded in 1991 as a joint venture between Sabancı Holding and Carrefour. The chain stocks everything from groceries to electronics and clothing, and operates a “CarrefourSA Kart” loyalty scheme offering discounts and reward points. Migros likewise runs its own loyalty programme, which can be joined in-store or through the app — even with a non-Turkish phone number — and allows points to be converted into Turkish Airlines miles.

Macro Center provides a more premium retail experience, carrying continental cheeses, cured meats, and an extensive imported food range. With only 27 locations across Turkey, however, you may need to travel some distance to reach one. Macro Center is the closest local equivalent to upmarket chains such as Waitrose or Whole Foods Market, and it is particularly well suited to sourcing specialty imported products. Alcohol is available at Macro Center, as well as at Metro, Migros, and Carrefour.

For wholesale cash-and-carry purchasing, Metro is the destination of choice. It operates on a membership model similar to Costco and is popular with small business owners as well as households looking to buy in larger quantities.

Shopping in Turkish supermarkets is broadly familiar to anyone who has shopped in European or American stores. One characteristic difference is that fruit and vegetables are almost always displayed prominently at the entrance, sold loose, and available for customers to select individually. Self-service checkouts remain relatively uncommon, though dedicated self-checkout lanes do exist in major city locations and larger stores.

How popular is online shopping in Turkey, and what are the main platforms?

E-commerce has become a significant and rapidly expanding feature of Turkish retail. By 2023, nearly 65% of the population had bought a product or service online. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Turkey’s total e-commerce transaction volume reached 1.85 trillion liras in 2023 — a year-on-year rise of 22.25% — and was projected to roughly double in 2024.

The leading domestic platforms are Trendyol and Hepsiburada, which function as large online marketplaces in a similar vein to Amazon, offering everything from clothing and electronics to groceries and home goods. Both platforms, along with GittiGidiyor, generally provide a straightforward returns process. Trendyol has expanded particularly rapidly and now includes a fast grocery delivery service. Getir and Banabi focus on ultra-rapid grocery and convenience delivery, promising delivery within minutes in major cities.

Most of the large supermarket chains also operate their own delivery apps and websites. For grocery shopping online, the apps and websites of Turkish supermarket chains provide clear information on product ranges and delivery charges. Migros’s online platform (Migros Sanal Market) and CarrefourSA’s website are widely used for regular grocery orders.

When a return is approved, the seller or platform generates a return label, and items are dispatched back via courier companies such as Yurtiçi Kargo or Aras Kargo. The return delivery process typically takes between three and five working days. Standard order delivery within cities usually takes one to three working days, though times may vary between platforms and by location.

For goods ordered from outside Turkey, customs duties may apply. Packages shipped from overseas retailers can attract import taxes and VAT depending on their value. Rates and thresholds are subject to change; always check the latest information with the Turkish Customs Administration (Gümrük ve Ticaret Bakanlığı) before placing an order from abroad. Delivery coverage in rural areas can be more limited, and not all platforms deliver to every postcode, so it is worth confirming that your address is supported before completing a purchase.

Are there shops or products in Turkey catering specifically to expats or international tastes?

In the major cities — Istanbul above all — there are well-established options for sourcing international and imported goods. For expats based in Istanbul, the Macro Center chain is among the most reliable places to find imported European foods, including continental cheeses, cured meats, and a wide selection of international packaged products. The Macro Center branch at Akmerkez, for example, is well known for its imported food selection.

Pork products are only available from certain independent retailers or continental-style supermarkets in major cities and tourist-oriented towns. This is an important consideration for those whose diets include pork, as it is not carried by the mainstream discount chains or halal-certified supermarkets. Specialist delicatessens and international food shops in areas with sizeable expat communities — including parts of Istanbul, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Antalya — typically stock these products.

Certain ingredients — such as parsnips, bok choy, and fresh coriander — can be difficult to track down in Turkey, though they are increasingly available at specialist food shops or ethnic grocery stores. Istanbul has a particularly diverse ethnic food retail landscape. In the Bağcılar neighbourhood, for instance, shoppers can find Japanese products at the Japon Pazarı (Japanese Bazaar), Asian ingredients at the Thai Asia Market, and Pakistani groceries at dedicated specialty stores.

Some markets, such as the Feriköy Organic Market in Istanbul, focus specifically on organic produce. The Feriköy market is a favourite with the local expat community and offers a broad selection of fresh produce, artisan products, and health foods. Weekly neighbourhood markets (pazar) are also an excellent and budget-friendly source of seasonal fresh produce in towns and cities throughout the country.

Many prominent international fashion and lifestyle brands operate in Turkey, particularly within larger shopping malls. Chains such as Zara, H&M, IKEA, and Decathlon all have a substantial presence in the country. Istinye Park in Istanbul is a well-regarded upscale shopping destination noted for its luxury brand tenants. Among international supermarket-format retailers, the CarrefourSA partnership brings the Carrefour brand to Turkish consumers, and Metro operates its familiar wholesale cash-and-carry model. IKEA has several large stores in Istanbul and Ankara, making it easy to furnish a new home with familiar products.

The most effective way to discover specialist ethnic food retailers is to connect with the local expat community, whose members are well placed to share their preferred sources for international ingredients. Expat Facebook groups, community forums, and apps such as Meetup are widely used for exactly this kind of local knowledge-sharing.

What are your rights as a consumer in Turkey?

Consumer protection in Turkey is primarily governed by Consumer Protection Law No. 6502, which covers rights in relation to goods, services, contracts, defective products, misleading advertising, and distance selling. This legislation applies to all consumers in Turkey, irrespective of their nationality or residency status.

Under Turkey’s Consumer Protection Law, shoppers have 14 days to return goods bought online without needing to give a reason. This cooling-off period applies to distance contracts — covering purchases made online, by telephone, or through catalogues. A significant recent development was the reinstatement of the right to return consumer electronics. Previously, buyers of items such as mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops via online channels were not entitled to the standard 14-day unconditional return period. This limitation was widely challenged at the 28th Consumer Council meeting held on 4 September 2024, and following the Council’s recommendations, the Ministry of Trade revised the relevant rules to explicitly restore this 14-day return right for these electronic product categories.

For defective goods purchased in physical stores, Turkish law entitles consumers to choose between a free repair, a like-for-like replacement, a proportional reduction in the purchase price, or a full refund. The seller is required to honour whichever remedy the consumer selects, subject to certain conditions. Businesses are also obliged to present clear and comprehensible information about their products and services, and are prohibited from incorporating misleading terms or concealed charges into consumer contracts.

It is worth noting that Turkey’s consumer protection framework differs in some respects from the system applied within the European Union. EU consumer law automatically grants a minimum two-year statutory guarantee on goods across all member states. Turkey has its own warranty provisions under Law No. 6502, but the details — including the warranty periods applicable to different product categories — may differ from EU standards. For up-to-date guidance, always consult the Ministry of Trade directly, or seek legal advice in more complex situations.

Recent regulatory updates have also strengthened the process for resolving consumer disputes. Sellers are now required to clearly disclose dispute resolution procedures as part of the pre-sale information they provide, enabling consumers to understand their options before any problem arises.

Turkish citizenship is not a prerequisite for filing a consumer complaint. Expats, work permit holders, and even tourists can all use the same legal mechanisms available under Turkish consumer law. This is an important protection that many members of the expat community may not be aware of.

Figures such as arbitration thresholds and warranty periods are reviewed and updated annually by the Ministry of Trade. Always confirm the current position through official sources, and consider obtaining professional legal advice for substantial disputes.

Which organisations protect consumers in Turkey, and how can you contact them?

A number of official bodies exist to safeguard consumers and handle complaints in Turkey. Below is an overview of the key organisations and how to reach them.

The Ministry of Trade occupies a central position in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation. Its responsibilities include developing and implementing policies on consumer rights, overseeing compliance with relevant regulations, investigating complaints about potential breaches, conducting inspections of businesses, and levying administrative penalties where violations are found.

Consumer Arbitration Committees function under the Ministry of Trade and provide an alternative route to dispute resolution that allows consumers to seek redress without resorting to litigation. These committees operate at provincial and district level and have jurisdiction over disputes falling below a monetary threshold set out in the Consumer Protection Law — which stood at TRY 104,000 for 2024 and is recalculated annually. Some sources indicate this threshold had risen to approximately 149,000 TRY by 2025; always check the current figure through official channels.

The Consumer Arbitration Committee process is fast, free of litigation costs, and available through every district governor’s office (Kaymakamlık), making it accessible to residents throughout Turkey, including those in smaller towns. Hearings are conducted in Turkish, so expats who are not yet proficient in the language may wish to bring an interpreter or seek assistance from a Turkish-speaking friend or legal adviser.

Consumer courts are specialist civil courts with jurisdiction to adjudicate on consumer law matters. Claimants are required to pursue a mediation process before formally filing a lawsuit. For significant or legally complex disputes — particularly those involving large sums — engaging a lawyer with expertise in Turkish consumer law is strongly recommended.

The Ministry of Trade also operates an ALO 175 consumer helpline (simply dial 175 from within Turkey), through which consumers can lodge complaints and request guidance. The Ministry of Trade website offers further information in Turkish on how to submit a formal complaint and locate the relevant local arbitration committee.

Frequently asked questions

Are shops open on Sundays in Turkey?

The vast majority of supermarkets and shops in Turkey trade seven days a week. There is no general restriction on Sunday trading, in contrast to certain European countries where such rules are strictly enforced. Shopping centres, supermarkets, and most large retail chains operate normal hours on Sundays.

Can I use my foreign bank card to pay in Turkish shops?

Credit and debit cards are broadly accepted in shopping centres, local markets, and online stores across Turkey. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely recognised. It is sensible to inform your bank before making purchases abroad, and to keep some cash on hand for smaller traders or rural locations where card terminals may not be available.

Does Apple Pay or Google Pay work in Turkey?

Due to Turkish banking regulations, internationally popular digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are not permitted to operate in the country. Residents instead use locally developed alternatives such as Paycell and BKM Express, both of which are integrated with major Turkish banks. Standard contactless payments using physical cards continue to function normally.

What is the cheapest supermarket chain in Turkey?

ŞOK, A101, and BİM are the leading budget discount chains — broadly comparable to Aldi and Lidl in pricing — and have branches in almost every district of the country. Their product ranges are more limited than those of mid-range stores, and they do not sell alcohol. For a wider selection at still-competitive prices, Migros and CarrefourSA offer a good mid-range alternative.

How do I return a faulty item bought online in Turkey?

Turkey’s Consumer Protection Law entitles customers to return goods purchased online within 14 days without giving a reason. Following a rule change by the Ministry of Trade in 2024, this 14-day unconditional return right now extends to electronics including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Begin by contacting the seller or platform directly; if they decline your return request, you can escalate the matter to the Consumer Arbitration Committee.

Can expats and non-Turkish residents use the consumer arbitration system?

Turkish citizenship is not required to submit a consumer complaint. Expats, work permit holders, and tourists alike are entitled to access the same legal mechanisms available under Turkish consumer law. As proceedings are carried out in Turkish, it is advisable to have an interpreter or legal adviser on hand if your command of the language is limited.

Where can I find imported and international food products in Turkey?

Macro Center is one of the best places to source premium imported goods, including continental cheeses, cured meats, and a wide variety of international packaged foods. Pork products are sold only at certain independent stores or continental-style supermarkets in larger cities and tourist destinations. Specialist ethnic food retailers can be found in major urban centres, and recommendations from fellow expats are often the most reliable way to track down specific items.

What should I do if a shop refuses to give me a refund in Turkey?

If a retailer declines to honour your legal entitlements, the first step is to submit a written complaint directly to the seller. Should that prove unsuccessful, you may file a complaint with the Consumer Arbitration Committee (Tüketici Hakem Heyeti) or the Consumer Court (Tüketici Mahkemesi), depending on the value of the dispute. You can also seek guidance by calling the Ministry of Trade’s consumer helpline on 175 from within Turkey.