Mass restoration of a specific type of shopping – shuttle tours, which are well known to those who survived the 90’s, is celebrated in Turkey. Interestingly, Turkish consumer goods relied primarily on Russia, given the problems in the consumer market due to sanctions.
However, not only Russian shopkeepers, but also Ukrainians – who is logical, but surprisingly – Europeans, mostly from the former socialist camp – Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc. – went to wholesale shopping centers en masse.
According to the president of the Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen Laleli – “Russian” shopping district of Istanbul, known for its wholesale markets, in the old days the share of buyers from Russia reached 70%.
Currently, diversification has increased – the share of Ukraine is growing, as well as Bulgaria and Hungary. Polish buyers also began to return, taking first place before the “invasion” of the Russians, and then, with the accession to the EU, “they were cut off.”
However, about half of all trade is in Ukraine and Russia. “Russia’s share in the Laleli market is 35%, Ukraine’s – 20%. Now, in connection with the general situation, we are recording a decrease in demand by 10-20%, “said the Turkish expert.
Total trade last year was $ 3.5 billion, and at least $ 3 billion is expected this year. Before the pandemic, it was about $ 7 billion, and in general there were periods when revenues rose to 16-17 billion.