The application comparing market prices by the Ministry of Industry and Technology revealed businesses engaging in opportunism. The application detected price differences of up to two times between chain supermarkets operating in the same neighborhood. Consumer associations mentioned that this situation could be prevented with an advising pricing policy.

The website named “marketfiyati.org.tr”, where citizens can compare product prices in chain supermarkets, attracted considerable attention. With a joint project of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and TÜBİTAK, citizens can compare the prices of nearly 50 thousand products. The platform was visited by thousands of users in a short period, with millions of searches conducted.

Consumers can instantly inquire about the prices of products such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, basic food, cleaning, and personal care products on the site.

The website also shows which market offers the most reasonable price for the selected product.

DOUBLE THE PRICE FOR THE SAME PRODUCT According to a report in Türkiye Newspaper, while the application provides significant convenience for consumers, it also reveals exorbitant price increases between markets. It was determined that two different markets in the same neighborhood sell the same product at double the price. For instance, a cleaning product of brand X in a chain market was priced at 129 lira, whereas the same product was 265 lira in another chain supermarket in the same area. SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH The fact that the same brand products have different price tags caused reactions on social media. Users expressed their opinions on social media, stating, “Thanks to the application, we can see where the products are cheaper. However, the authorities also notice these price differences. It would be much easier for them to levy fines with this application.” CONSUMERS SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT Aydın Ağaoğlu, President of the Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED), stated the usefulness of the application, saying, “Consumers will make the most of their power by not shopping at pricey stores.” Highlighting that businesses aiming for high sales prices will sustain significant revenue losses, Ağaoğlu emphasized, “Conscious consumers must check the prices here. If consumers see equal prices or exorbitant prices between stores in the system, they should report it to the relevant authorities and file a complaint.” CALL FOR ADVISORY PRICES Ağaoğlu recommended putting the statement “recommended selling price” on products. Mentioning that the application will eliminate price discrepancies between markets, Ağaoğlu said, “If a business does not comply with this regulation, closure penalties may be imposed.” which supermarkets are included in the database. Market Price compares the prices of major chain supermarkets such as A101, BİM, CarrefourSA, HAKMAR, MİGROS, Tarım Kredi Pazarlama ve Marketçilik, and ŞOK Marketler.