Sanctions imposed against Russia and the withdrawal of many European brands could make the “shuttle” trade from the 90s popular again. At the famous Laleli wholesale market in Istanbul, which once grew and developed thanks to Russian “boats”, Russians with “stuffed checkered bags” were spotted again. This information is published by the Turkish Turizmgazetesi.
“After many Western brands left the Russian market, Russian citizens began to travel to Turkey specifically for boat trade,” Turkish media reported. At the same time, the objects of purchase are mainly European brands that left Russia – such as Zara, Bershka, Uniqlo, Dior, Gucci, and the like.
According to the Turkish press, boat tourism, the first type of tourism that Russia has “mastered”, promises to become profitable again. Products purchased from Lalela in Turkey can be sold in Russia with a profit of 30% when selling wholesale, and up to 200% when paying retail.
At the same time, the Turkish side predicts that consumers in Russia will pay off the “shuttle trade” for a long time. It will enable Russians to purchase branded products that they cannot find in their country. And Turkey, in turn, will take first place in terms of the volume of this trade.