Turkey consumer protection and retail trends

In late September 2026, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry expanded its list of fraudulent and unsafe food products, identifying 53 new items, including adulterated honey and saffron containing foreign substances. By late October 2026, consumer focus shifted toward upcoming Black Friday and November discount campaigns. Survey data indicates that 94% of Turkish consumers plan to participate in these sales, an increase from 87% in 2025. However, spending expectations have become more cautious; the proportion of consumers planning to spend more in real terms dropped from 47% to 39%, while those planning to spend less rose from 13% to 20%. Shoppers are increasingly proactive, with 61% beginning preparations before the sale week. There is a growing reliance on digital tools, including a rise in AI assistant use for research (from 13% to 20%) and 54% of shoppers examining historical price data. To combat deceptive practices, the Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED) has issued warnings regarding fake discounts, artificial price hikes, and counterfeit websites. TÜKONFED Vice President İbrahim Güllü cautioned that some retailers may increase prices immediately before a sale to make subsequent discounts appear larger. He advised consumers not to rely solely on large percentage signs, such as ‘70% off,’ but to instead use price comparison tools to verify a product’s actual price history. To avoid imitations of well-known brands, experts recommend accessing official websites directly rather than clicking social media links, using low-limit virtual cards, and remaining wary of suspicious IBAN numbers or verification codes sent via message. As the November discount season approaches, industry experts, including Hakan Çevikoğlu of the Electronic Commerce Operators Association (ETİD), anticipate e-commerce volume could reach 600 billion TL, with order numbers expected to rise by 10-15% compared to the previous year.