"Implement retail regulations"

Bendevi Palandöken, President of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), argued in a written statement that national chain stores are creating an environment of unfair competition in the market by selling products belonging to 415 different professions, ranging from basic food to technology, textiles to cosmetics, and white goods to furniture, hardware, and toys.

Stating that the regulation regarding the Retail Law must be brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and implemented as soon as possible to ensure price stability and combat inflation, Palandöken demanded that certain legal obligations be imposed on chain stores to prevent unfair competition.

Palandöken assessed the situation, saying, "We should do exactly what is done in the rest of the world. A regulation must be enacted that covers the opening and closing hours of chain stores, their locations, opening ratios based on population, one day off per week, and the protection of employee rights. Businesses should not be allowed to open in areas below a certain population threshold or that do not comply with specified distance requirements. Otherwise, price stability cannot be achieved in the market."

Criticizing the sale of products such as mobile phones, white goods, and electrical home appliances in chain stores, Palandöken noted the following:

"They are even selling high-value products that require warranty coverage. When these products malfunction, consumers cannot find anyone to address their concerns, and there are many consumers who cannot reach the warranty service or do not receive the desired response even if they do. In such cases, chain stores are not the party responsible for the issue and remain ineffective in resolving the problem. Those who cannot stand behind the products they sell should not sell them. With the amendment to be made to the Retail Law, chain stores should only be allowed to sell food products."

News Source: 12punto