New debate on a new era for supermarkets: Will they close on Sundays?

The Turkish Retailers Federation (TPF) has released its Retail Sector Employment Report prepared for 2025. The report details the contribution of local chain supermarkets to employment, the perspective of young people on the sector, the problems faced by female employees, and proposed solutions.

DIRECT EMPLOYMENT FOR OVER 100 THOUSAND PEOPLE

According to the report, local chain supermarkets provide direct employment to more than 100 thousand people across Turkey. The sector creates job opportunities in many areas, from sales to logistics, and from accounting to management. It serves as a significant source of employment, especially for young people and women in smaller cities.

However, it was noted that young employees between the ages of 18 and 30 do not view retail as a permanent job, instead regarding the sector as a "temporary stopover."

EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL LIFE AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE

One of the notable proposals in the report is for supermarkets to be closed on Sundays. It was stated that this would allow employees to have the same day off as their families, helping to maintain a balance between social life and work life.

The report also emphasized that in the retail sector, which is one of the areas where women work most intensively in Turkey, facilities such as childcare support, shift planning, and safe transportation need to be strengthened.

"IT WILL STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES"

TPF President Ömer Düzgün stated that a Sunday holiday would contribute to both family structure and sustainable employment. Düzgün expressed the following:

"Today, hundreds of thousands of people working in the retail sector cannot take the same day off as their families. This situation weakens family ties and creates social fatigue. Yet, a family is strengthened by time spent together. Our President declaring 2025 as the Year of the Family has drawn a very valuable framework. As local chains, we want to contribute to this vision."

"IT WILL BE A LIFELINE FOR SMALL TRADESPEOPLE"

Stating that the proposed practice would also be an important economic support for small tradespeople, Düzgün continued his words as follows:

"As local chains, we are ready to be pioneers in this regard. This regulation will both increase the retention of employees in the sector and give small tradespeople room to breathe. By first implementing it in pilot regions, it could be possible for supermarkets to be closed on Sundays, just as they are in Europe. This step will strengthen our family structure, our local economy, and sustainable employment."

News Source: 12punto