Shopping
Shopping is a wonderful experience in Turkey as with there is such a wide choice of high quality goods, and locally grown fresh produce. In the past most of the shops were family run businesses, but today there are a lot of large new supermarkets and newly built shopping centres.
In most of the holiday resorts during the summer months there will be weekly market days with stalls selling a whole range of clothes, leather items, shoes, pottery, as well as household items. These markets will also sell fresh fruit and vegetables.
In outdoor markets many of the prices in tourist places are advertised in Euros, but don't forget the tradition is to bargain! It is often a good idea to start around 60% of the price when bargaining and aim to reach an agreement around 80% of the price. If you are aiming to buy larger and more expensive items such as carpets of jewellrey, it is a good idea to plan for this as haggling is an art and may take some time.
You will often be offered refreshments at shops when bargaining is in process, but it is important not to take advantage of this hospitality (you will probably be offered ‘elma cay'(pronounced chay) apple tea – popular with tourists). It is not appropriate however, to bargain in non-tourist shops, supermarkets or large department stores.
In Turkey the local corner shop is know as ‘Bakkal'. The local bakkal usually has bread and stocks other useful items such as milk, eggs, drinks, cheese, yoghurt, biscuits and some canned foods and so forth. Bakkals are often open late at night, and if you need to buy a loaf and do not have any change, then usually you will find the owner extremely accommodating as he will let you pay the following day! As a result, it is worth getting to know you local bakkal, as he is there to serve the local community!
Shopping Centers
The 3rd link of Migros Shopping Centers Chain opened in Antalya which is one of the biggest touristic cities of Turkey, on June 6, 2001. The center founded on 85.000 square meter land using 50.000 square meter closed area and 25 million dollars investment and got 120.000 visitors on its opening day. Inside the Shopping Center, there are a 9000 square meter supermarket with 30 cash registers, 96 deparment stores, 8 movie theaters and a 700 people capacity Food Court area. The facility is placed in Antalya City Center, behind Konyaaltı Beach and is a daily meeting point for ten thousands of Antalya citizen and tourists from all over the world.
Tepe home is one of Turkey's leading furniture stores. There is a large store in Antalya on the Kemer-Antalya road.
In Turkey one of the well-kown and good quality brands is 'Istikbal'. There are a number of shops that sell Istikbal goods.
Another popular shopping centre is 'Deepo'. Deepo is located on the Antalya-Alanya highway not far from the airport. It has a large number of retail outlets (80) and factory shops. It also has a food court. It is open from 10.00am – 11.00pm. Deepo also has special offers on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Koçtaş is Turkey's leading DIY shop, so if you need to paint your house, change fittings or buy garden furniture , this is the place to come to. It is located on the Antalya –Alanya road , going towards the airport – near Migros.
Tekzen is large store sellıng household items also on the Antalya-Alanya highway located in Palmiye Alisveris Merkezi, near the Airport.
Tansaş is a high quality supermarket which is owned by the Tesco chain.
Gima is the second largest supermarket chain in Turkey. It sells a whole range of products including, food, household items and clothes. Gima has recently been bought by the Carrefour chain so there is the possibility that the name of the stores may change some time soon. Gima - located near the Dedeman hotel – in this small shopping centre there is also a Marks and Spencers and a D&G bookstore.
