TESK reacts to chain markets selling with vending machines

Bendevi Palandöken, the General President of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), stated that while tradesmen close their shops at 22:00, the fact that chain markets sell 24/7 through vending machines leads to unfair competition. In a written statement, Palandöken stated that it is "unethical" for chain markets to open tens of thousands of stores across the country and sell 24/7 through vending machines. Arguing that the practice aims to completely eliminate small tradesmen, Palandöken noted the following: "While our tradesmen close their shops at 22:00, the fact that some chain markets sell 24/7 through vending machines creates a huge unfair competition in the market. While our tradesmen are fined by the security forces even when they put an extra cash register in front of their shops, it is not fair for chain markets to put all kinds of goods into vending machines. As stated in Article 173 of the Constitution, protective and supportive measures should be taken for tradesmen and artisans. For this, the Retail Law, which has become a gangrene for years, should be amended and this irregularity should be prevented without wasting time. This victimization that extinguishes the light of our tradesmen and artisans should be resolved urgently."