While the removal of the restrictions applied within the scope of Covid-19 measures is welcomed in the retail sector, an increase in turnover in retail and 5.5 million visitors are expected on Sundays in shopping malls.
Sector representatives made evaluations regarding the lifting of the said bans as of 1 July. Chairman of the Board of the Shopping Centers and Investors Association (AYD), Prof. Dr. Huseyin Altas said that they have been waiting for the bans to be lifted since the beginning of June, and that as of July, weekends will finally be open.
Expressing that this development is very positive, Altas said, “Our daily shopping mall visitors are currently 4.5 million. We expect an additional 5.5 million visitors on Sundays. In addition, we are at 75% of the pre-epidemic turnover. We believe that it will increase to 80% with the contribution of Sunday.
Altas said that a serious tourism activity will begin in July, and local and foreign tourists will make a significant contribution to retail sales, especially in certain locations.
“RETURN IN RESTAURANTS IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO PRE-EPIDEMIC TURNOVER”
Ramazan Bingol, Chairman of the All Restaurants and Tourism Association (TURES), said that especially large restaurants make 20% of their turnover on Sundays, and that the number of customers in the evening is not to be underestimated.
Stating that there will be serious activity in serious restaurants after the removal of the restrictions on Sunday and evening bans, Bingol said, “People missed eating out and having breakfast with their family on Sunday, and having dinner outside the home. Therefore, we predict that the number of customers and turnover will quickly return to the pre-epidemic period.”
Noting that especially in touristic businesses, with the tourism season, the old days will quickly return, he wished that the epidemic would not occur again and that it would continue to contribute to the country’s economy with additional employment.
“JULY WILL BE ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST MONTHS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE EPIDEMIC”
National Franchising Association (UFRAD) Board Member Muhammet Nezif Emek stated that they will see the positive effect of the removal of restrictions in all sectors in a short time, and said that the lifting of the ban, especially in the evening, will have a positive effect on the food and beverage sector.
Expressing that they expect an increase in retail sales in almost all sectors after the bans, Emek made the following assessments:
“The public’s longing for shopping and the desire to go out due to being limited, the domestic tourism activity that will be provided by the Eid al-Adha and the summer holiday, and the intense tourist flow from abroad with the lifting of the country bans will provide a serious revival in retail sales. High exchange rate will trigger domestic shopping of tourists. We think that in July, we will experience one of the brightest months since the beginning of the epidemic.”
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz