New Regulation to Chain Markets in Turkey

New regulations to chain markets in Turkey. The government took the first step after President Erdogan's call to protect small traders.

A meeting will be held next week under the chairmanship of Deputy President Fuat Oktay, with representatives of the ministry, non-governmental organizations and relevant deputies. According to the news of Zübeyde Yalçın from Sabah newspaper, after the government completes its preparations for the regulation, the regulation will be brought to the agenda of the Parliament later. It is anticipated that the regulation will be handled and enacted by the AK Party group.

2 Innovations Being Evaluated for Sunday

One of the highlights in the regulation was the working hours of chain markets. Accordingly, in the new bill, chain markets cannot be opened before 11 am on Sundays in order to protect small tradesmen and employees. The issue of the fact that the chain markets are completely closed on Sundays is also on the agenda, but it is said that the formula of the shopping malls being closed one day a week may be delayed for a while due to the problems experienced within the scope of coronavirus measures. In addition, it is on the agenda to have at least 5 kilometers between the new shopping malls to be constructed.

2 Kilometers of Distance Between Chain Markets and Groceries

According to the bill, there will be some regulations for the protection of neighborhood grocers and small shopkeepers. Within the framework of the prepared regulation, chain markets will be at least 200 meters away from the neighborhood grocery store. In addition, on a boulevard, the 2 kilometer distance rule will be applied between the chain markets and the neighborhood grocery stores.

Closure of Village Groceries Will Be Prevented

One of the prominent topics in the proposal was about places with a population of less than 2,000. Accordingly, chain store branches will not be built in regions with a population of less than 2,000. Thus, it is aimed to prevent the closure of village grocery stores. Limiting the building of chain stores according to population criteria is also among the regulations expected to be included in the proposal. Accordingly, a market will be opened for every 5,000 inhabitants. In addition, the opening of different branches of the same chain store, 100 meters apart in some places, will be prevented. In the regulation prepared by the government, the variety of products in chain markets is also under the spotlight. Products such as tobacco products, furniture, mobile phones, electronic goods and kitchen appliances will not be sold in chain markets with an area of ​​less than 1,500 square meters. Chain markets larger than 1,500 square meters will be able to sell these products.