The future of the sector was evaluated at Retail Days

ISTANBUL (AA) – “Retail Days” organized by Soysal Education and Consultancy brought together important stakeholders of the sector, from e-commerce to retail, from e-export to shopping mall managers, from artificial intelligence to payment systems. Retail Days, one of the important meetings of Turkey and the international retail industry, brought together the prominent names of the industry at the Haliç Congress Center in its 25th year.

At the joint press conference held within the scope of the event and moderated by Arın Saydam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bersay Communication Consultancy, United Brands Association (BMD) President Sinan Öncel, Shopping Center Investors Association (AYD) President Nuri Şapkacı, Chain Stores Association (ZMD) President Serhan Tınastepe, Food Retailers Association (GPD) President Alp Önder Özpamukçu, Anti-Counterfeit Association (TMD) Vice President Vehbi Kahveci, Out of Home Consumption Suppliers Association (ETÜDER) President Melih Şahinöz, Tourism Restaurant Investors and Gastronomy Enterprises Association (TURYİD) President Kaya Demirer and All Restaurants and Tourism Association (TÜRES) Vice President Ünal Dölek were among the speakers.

TURYİD President Kaya Demirer, in his evaluation at the meeting, said that there are 2 million jobs in the food and beverage sector and the share of gastronomy in tourism is 20 percent. Demirer stated that they continue their existence with 200 brands, 3 thousand 500 businesses and 1 trillion liras. Underlining that the number of citizens going on short-term holidays abroad and the amount of money they spend are high, Demirer stated that the length of stay of visitors to Turkey is longer but the income they provide is less.

Demirer said, “We would like to draw attention to the importance of at least providing tax advantages and creating new opportunities with companies from the Gulf countries and the United Arab Emirates.” he said. ETÜDER President Melih Şahinöz also drew attention to the water crisis that will occur in the coming period and emphasized the need to find alternative foods. Stating that the country’s self-sufficiency is a security issue and as important as the defense industry, Şahinöz said, “Priority investments should be allowed to be made in this field.

“On the other hand, there is a huge food inflation, but our country has a high potential, and by using our relations correctly, good developments can be achieved.” he said. GPD President Alp Önder Özpamukçu stated that food retail is one of the most dynamic sectors of the country’s economy. Pointing out that despite the developments in recent years, food retail continues to provide quality, reliable and affordable services, Özpamukçu said that they continue their work with the aim of increasing consumer welfare.

Drawing attention to food waste, Özpamukçu continued his words as follows: “According to UN data, 1/3 of food is lost. This corresponds to 23 million tons. This is an important and big problem. We believe in the necessity of managing the entire chain based on data and transparently, and we believe that traceability is essential for food safety and loss. “We underline acting together with constructive dialogue for the entire sector.” – “Retailers and shopping mall investors are not each other’s competitors, but business partners.” AYD President Nuri Şapkacı also stated that in order to understand the situation in the sector, it is necessary to look at retailers, investors and consumers separately.

Şapkacı said, “As AYD, our perspective is very clear. The retailer and the shopping mall investor are not each other’s competitors, but business partners. Retail is undergoing a powerful transformation. What we need to manage this transformation is common sense. “Our industry will be more selective in the coming period.” he said. Şapkacı emphasized that investments and operational discipline focused on limited but correct segments will come to the fore for retailers and investors.

Stating that on the consumer side, a period in which purchasing power is the determining factor will continue for a while, Şapkacı said, “The structures that will be successful in this process will be brands and shopping centers that can manage customer experience, data, and the digital and physical world together. “This transformation can only be permanent with a fair and balanced sector structure.” he said.