Minister Işıkhan attended the retail sector meeting at the ministry, which was also attended by representatives of companies operating in retail.
Işıkhan explained that they gathered to discuss the retail sector both globally and from a Turkish perspective and to evaluate the needs, wishes and suggestions of the representatives of this sector. Işıkhan said that they previously met with representatives of the textile, ready-made clothing and leather industries represented within the framework of the meetings and achieved important results.
Stating that the retail sector is a sector where global economic dynamics and consumer behavior are constantly changing and evolving, Işıkhan explained that the sector has been transformed in the post-epidemic period, bringing issues such as digitalization, sustainability and customer experience to the forefront have moved.
Işıkhan explained that the online shopping trend in the global retail industry continues unabated this year and that this area has become an important focus for retailers: “As awareness of environmental issues increases, retailers are also focusing on products such as offering more sustainable products products.”, reduce packaging waste and ensure transparency in their supply chains.” “They are trying to respond to this demand by adopting ecological practices,” he said.
Emphasizing that retailers facing challenges such as the global economy, inflation and fluctuating consumer confidence have highlighted the need to keep their pricing strategies and promotions flexible to attract price-conscious consumers and ensure profitability, Işıkhan said that in As part of this change and transformation, retailers must adapt to market size, government policies and taxes. He pointed out that due to geographical issues, different sales volumes and growth dynamics were achieved in different regions.
“It can be observed that there are strong growth rates in female employment.”
Minister Işıkhan reported that the number of insured retail workers increased from 1.2 million in 2014 to over 1.5 million in 2024.
Stating that the number of insured workers in the food retail industry is around 660,000 and the number of female workers is over 325,000, Işıkhan continued:
“While there has been a remarkable rate of increase of around 118 percent in female employees over the last 10 years, the rate of increase in male employees has remained at a limited rate of 19 percent. The number of female employees is over 890,000, and the number of female employees The number of employees has increased within 10 years. “While it is around 420, which corresponds to an increase rate of around 50 percent, the number of male employees has decreased by around 1 percent over the last 10 years.”
Işıkhan pointed out that the significant increase in the number of female employees in the food retail sector was noticeable: “Compared to 2014, there was a 76.1 percent increase in the number of compulsory insurance among young women. This rate of increase was 23 percent.” If you look at it regionally, compulsory insurance has increased by 76.1 percent compared to 2014. “It can be observed that the number of insured women has increased more than that of men in all regions since 2014, with strong growth.” High rates of female employment were observed particularly in the regions of Eastern Anatolia and Southeast Anatolia. “ gave the information.
“We will never allow opportunism”
Minister Işıkhan stated that the Minimum Wage Setting Commission will meet tomorrow to set the minimum wage level for 2025 and that this process is crucial to increasing citizens' purchasing power and improving their well-being.
Işıkhan said that the Commission aims to ensure market balance while increasing citizens' income levels and that at this time employers and producers should not turn their pricing policies into opportunism in a way that abuses these increases, stating that The Ministry of Commerce plays a very important role in protecting consumers from exorbitant price increases through a decisive control policy.
Işıkhan said:
“Similar to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, our inspection teams continue to work on site. These inspections aim to protect not only the well-being of our citizens, but also the market balance and reputation of our sector. I would like to do this to reiterate that we will never allow opportunism. We will never allow the salary increases of all our wage earners, workers, civil servants, pensioners and pensioners to be wiped out by excessive profiteering and exorbitant prices by opportunists. “It's clear. We invite you to work together on this issue.”
“It is our shared responsibility to enhance the well-being of our population and ensure market confidence.”
Minister Işıkhan stated that retail is an important driving force that shapes not only economic growth but also social well-being.
Pointing out that exorbitant pricing policy not only harms citizens, but also causes great harm to the reliability of the sector and the country's economy, Işıkhan continued with his words as follows:
“It is our collective responsibility to enhance the well-being of our population and ensure market confidence. For sustainable growth, our top priority should be to earn the trust of our citizens and employees and respond to their needs. In addition to the well-being of our employees, an important element that increases the competitiveness of our employers and our industry is the fair wage policy. “We offer our employees the benefits they deserve.” Providing wages increases their motivation and efficiency while strengthening trust in the market.
Stating that fully rewarding employees for their hard work will strengthen trust and loyalty in both society and the workplace, Işıkhan emphasized that this approach will accelerate economic growth by increasing the purchasing power of larger masses.
Stating that as workers' well-being increases, the sector's growth will also accelerate, Işıkhan said:
“For this reason, we must continue to expand our vision and spread a fair and transparent understanding in wage policy that respects workers’ rights. It is our collective responsibility to increase the well-being of our population and ensure market confidence. We are committed to building a fairer, more transparent and sustainable retail environment in collaboration with you. “I have complete confidence.”
After the speeches of Labor and Social Security Minister Işıkhan and Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, the meeting continued closed to the press.
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