The best fashion and gift stores - Turkey in 2024

Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Turkey

Timetable

Officially, Turkish stores are open from 9am to 8pm. In seaside resorts or tourist cities like Istanbul, stores tend to stay open all day, including Sundays. In practice, the opening hours of shops are more subtle... It all depends on the neighborhoods and the types of shops. Bazaars are closed on Sundays, but not supermarkets which often close at 10pm. Bakkal, the famous Turkish grocery stores, close at midnight every day; some are open 24 hours a day. Alcohol is sold in specialized bakkals, which have "Tekel" on the sign. They are open every day from 1pm to 1am. They can legally serve alcohol only until 10 pm. But hidden under the coat or in a handbag, some shopkeepers agree to sell you alcohol after the hour. It is often possible to have a reduced assortment of alcohol in the night bakkal and a wider choice in the supermarkets.

Budget & Tips

It is possible to haggle in Turkey, but this custom has its codes and its limits. This "haggling game" applies in bazaars and markets but not in stores where prices are fixed. Moreover, it is common for the shopkeeper to give a small price if you buy several pieces. A discount is often given for cash payments. Do not offer a price first. Wait for a counter-offer of half or a quarter of the price and you may get a 40% discount. Prices are quoted inclusive of VAT. If there is a problem, the VAT included is called "KDV Dahil".

Sales

There are no fixed regulations concerning sales in Turkey, but as elsewhere in the world, there are two major periods of discount sales, one in summer and the other in winter. In addition, you will find indirim (discounts) throughout the year.

What's very local

During the Istanbul Shopping Fest, Istanbul becomes the capital of fashion. On the program, many animations and the arrival of famous guests in 9 large emblematic shopping malls of the city and in the Grand Bazaar, which remain open until 2am. The next edition will take place in July 2023.

Tourist traps

Beware of forgeries! Turkey is one of the largest producers of counterfeit goods in the world. On the stalls in the bazaars, carefully lined up, you will find exact copies of the biggest shoe and ready-to-wear brands. If the resemblance is striking, the much lower price compared to "classic" signs should make you aware of the authenticity of the product. Please be aware that counterfeits are prohibited in France and Europe and that if you are caught at the airport in possession of an imitation, you risk a heavy fine of twice the price of the original item as well as the confiscation of your purchase. You've been warned.

The best fashion and gift stores Turkey

CEVAHIR

GALERIE METIN

MEPHISTO

PASABAHÇE

YORUK

GALIP DEDE CADDESI

KANYON

DÖSIM

CAPADOCIA

MEGAVIZYON

LA MAISON DU KILIM

LE MARCHÉ NOIR (KARA PAZARI)

KEMAL'IN YERI

YILMAZ BEYOĞLU

LEYLA SEYHANLI

LIBRAIRIE URBANITAS (URBANITAS KITABEVI)

ARNAS

LIBRAIRIE OWL BOOK SHOP

IMAGINE

PANDORA

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