Tradespeople on the verge of stopping cigarette sales: Striking warning from TESK President

Bendevi Palandöken, President of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), stated in a press release that grocers, kiosks, and liquor stores are in a difficult position due to the practices of tobacco companies. Palandöken noted that despite price increases for cigarettes being predetermined, companies are not providing sufficient products and are imposing restrictions on credit card sales.

Palandöken said, "It is unfair for companies to charge commissions to tradespeople when our tradespeople have been operating without paying commissions on cigarette sales. If companies do not cover credit card commissions, our tradespeople may stop selling cigarettes entirely. There should be no discrimination in product supply, and the commission burden should be borne by the companies."

TRADESPEOPLE'S PROFIT MARGIN AND COMMISSION ISSUE

Palandöken emphasized that companies are not providing sufficient products to tradespeople, forcing them to either pay in cash or pay a price difference for credit card transactions. Stating that the profit margin from cigarette sales is limited to 4.5 percent and that the credit card commission rate is the same, Palandöken said this situation negatively impacts the earnings of tradespeople.

Expressing that tradespeople are penalized if they charge a commission on cigarette sales, but that no such practice exists for the companies, Palandöken said, "As long as this burden remains on the backs of tradespeople, selling cigarettes is becoming unsustainable." He stated that as the Federation of Turkish Grocers and Dealers, they plan to organize a meeting to take a joint stance against the restrictive practices of cigarette manufacturing companies.