Sales volumes in June experience a significant rise by 14.7% in the retail sector
Article Title: Türkiye's Retail and Wholesale Trade Sales Volumes Show Strong Growth in June 2023
Türkiye's trade sector has shown remarkable growth in June 2023, with both retail and wholesale trade volumes experiencing significant increases compared to the previous year and month.
According to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the overall trade sales volume in Türkiye for June 2023 increased by 22.5% compared to the same month in 2022. This growth was also reflected in the retail trade sector, which saw a 14.7% annual increase, and the wholesale trade sector, which experienced a 27.6% annual increase.
The retail trade sector specifically saw a 1.3% monthly increase in June 2023 compared to May 2023. This growth was particularly noticeable in the sales volume for motor vehicles and motorcycles retail trade, which increased by 0.5%.
The growth in wholesale trade was also evident when comparing June 2023 to May 2023, with a 5.4% increase in the wholesale trade volume.
The sales volume for wholesale and retail trade plus repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles in Türkiye for June 2023 grew by 14.3% compared to the same month in 2022.
These strong growth figures in Türkiye's trade sector are a positive sign for the country's economy, indicating increased consumer confidence and spending. However, it's important to note that the retail sector in Ankara, Türkiye, is currently experiencing a complex environment.
Recent trends show a boom in e-commerce, with the sector growing by 61.7% in 2024, reaching TRY 3 trillion (USD 89.58 billion), representing 6.5% of GDP. Fashion and apparel dominate the online retail space, with Turkish clothing searches peaking and apparel representing 28.2% of Shopify stores in Turkey.
On the other hand, retail real estate prices in Ankara have seen a significant surge. From early 2021 to mid-2025, shop prices increased by 1110%, while office space prices soared even higher by 1315%. This indicates significant commercial property price inflation and reshaping of Ankara’s retail and office market dynamics.
Despite easing headline inflation, food prices remain high, with food and non-alcoholic beverage prices up 28% year-on-year as of July 2025. Consumers in Ankara report buying less and switching to smaller or more affordable portions, reflecting constrained retail spending power amid economic pressures.
This complex environment presents both opportunities in digital retail channels and challenges due to cost pressures and affordability constraints. As Türkiye continues to navigate these challenges, the retail and wholesale trade sectors will likely remain a key indicator of the country's economic health.
[1] Source: Shopify Turkey 2023 Report [2] Source: Ankara Real Estate Market Report 2021-2025 [3] Source: Consumer Spending Trends in Ankara 2025 [4] Source: Turkey's GDP Growth Projections 2025 [5] Source: Turkey Export Share Growth 2021-2025
The strong growth in Türkiye's retail trade sector, as indicated by a 14.7% annual increase in June 2023, is not limited to physical stores as e-commerce is booming, with a 61.7% growth in 2024 and fashion and apparel dominating the online retail space.
This reshaping of Türkiye's retail market, including the surge in retail real estate prices and the high food prices presenting affordability constraints, puts the finance industry in a crucial position, as the retail and wholesale trade sectors continue to be significant indicators of the country's economic health.
