TESK reaction to chain markets selling with vending machines

The president of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), Bendevi Palandöken, stated that while the merchants closed their shops at 10:00 p.m., the chain markets that sold with vending machines 7 days and 24 hours caused unfair competition.

In his written statement, Palandoken claimed that it is “immoral” for grocery chains to open tens of thousands of stores across the country, as well as sell 24/7 with vending machines.

‘IT’S NOT FAIR’

Arguing that the app is aimed at eliminating small merchants entirely, Palandöken said:

“Although our merchants close their stores at 10pm, the fact that some chain markets sell 24/7 with vending machines creates huge unfair competition in the market. Even when our merchants put an extra cash drawer in front of the store, it’s not fair for chain stores to put all sorts of products in vending machines while law enforcement imposes fines.

As established in article 173 of the Constitution, protection and support measures must be taken for merchants and artisans. Therefore, this irregularity must be prevented without wasting time regulating the Retail Trade Law, which has been festering for years. This victimization, which turns off the light of our merchants and artisans, must be urgently eliminated”. (AA)