21.07.2026 00:50
The Ministry of Trade considered a "price difference" complaint shared on social media as a notification and conducted an inspection at a chain supermarket branch in Istanbul. During the inspections, products with incompatible shelf and checkout prices and missing labels were identified, resulting in an administrative fine being imposed on the business.
Following a customer complaint shared on social media, the Ministry of Commerce teams took action and conducted an inspection at a chain supermarket in Istanbul. During the inspections, products with different shelf and checkout prices, as well as items sold without labels, were identified, and an administrative fine was imposed on the supermarket.
CUSTOMER COMPLAINED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The incident began when a consumer noticed that the price of a product they wanted to purchase on the shelf differed from the price at the checkout. The citizen informed the store staff about the situation and requested to buy the product at the shelf label price as per regulations. However, the customer claimed that the store employees responded by saying, "We will change the labels, the checkout price is valid. You can complain wherever you want." The customer then shared their grievance on their social media account and filed a complaint with the Ministry of Commerce.
INSPECTION REVEALED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHECKOUT AND SHELF PRICES
Upon receiving the report, teams from the Istanbul Provincial Trade Directorate conducted an inspection at the relevant chain supermarket branch. During the detailed examinations by the teams:
It was determined that for 4 products, the checkout price did not match the shelf price,
And for 5 products, there was no price label at all.
Due to these practices found to be in violation of regulations, an administrative fine was imposed on the business.
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY: WE SHOW ZERO TOLERANCE
Commenting on the matter, Bekir Kaplan, the Press and Public Relations Advisor of the Ministry of Commerce, stated that inspections will continue resolutely and used the following expressions:
"As the Ministry of Commerce, we show zero tolerance for violations of our consumers' rights and for discrepancies between the price on the label and the price charged at the checkout. We meticulously evaluate every report and complaint from our citizens, carry out the necessary inspections without delay, and decisively implement the required administrative actions against non-compliant practices.
We will resolutely continue our inspections aimed at protecting the economic interests of our consumers."