Ramadan discount crisis in chain supermarkets: Tension between ŞOK and BİM

As the month of Ramadan approaches, the greatest expectation of citizens was for a reduction in basic food prices.

While steps to ease the citizens' budgets were expected in the shadow of high inflation, a call made by journalist Candaş Tolga Işık on his social media account ignited the debate.

Işık requested that major supermarket chains make significant discounts, at least for the duration of Ramadan.

CONSECUTIVE STATEMENTS FROM CHAIN SUPERMARKETS

The first response to Işık's call came from ŞOK Marketleri.

ŞOK CEO Uğur Demirel announced that they would reduce prices on 100 products throughout Ramadan to the levels seen in March of last year.

Işık shared this development on his social media account and called on other chain supermarkets to take similar steps.

However, while public attention turned to major chain supermarkets like A101 and BİM, the statement from BİM further fueled the controversy.

BİM CEO Haluk Dortluoğlu stated, "We already sell our own branded products at the lowest prices on the market. Therefore, we do not find a periodic discount realistic and we are not considering taking such a step."

DEBATES GROW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The differing statements from the chain supermarkets have caused a major stir on social media.

While some argue that BİM already offers low prices, others have stated that additional discounts during the month of Ramadan should be inevitable.

In particular, the significant increase in food prices over the last year has led citizens to expect more support for basic food items.

While those who welcomed the step taken by ŞOK expressed that they expect similar moves from other chain supermarkets, BİM's statement has caused significant criticism.

While the pricing policies of chain supermarkets will be closely monitored throughout the month of Ramadan, citizens continue to demand more discounts on basic food products.