Fourth-Quarter E-Commerce Expectation: TRY 1.3 Trillion

We have entered the quarter that achieves the highest e-commerce turnover throughout the year. Cenk Çiğdemli, Member of TOBB E-Commerce Council and Founder CEO of Ticimax E-Commerce Systems, stated: "We expect the total fourth-quarter turnover of the e-commerce sector across Turkey to be at least TRY 1.3 trillion. I estimate that the number of transactions could exceed 3 billion."

We have entered the quarter that achieves the highest e-commerce turnover throughout the year. The three-month period starting from October and continuing until year-end is also known as the campaign and discount frenzy season for the e-commerce sector. School period campaigns, 11 November Singles Day, Black Friday called "Efsane Cuma" and "Şahane Cuma", the Cyber Monday campaigns that follow immediately, and year-end discounts transform the final quarter into a shopping season, and sector expectations are high this year.

Transaction volume estimated above 3 billion

Cenk Çiğdemli, Member of TOBB E-Commerce Council and Founder CEO of Ticimax E-Commerce Systems, points out that approximately 35% of annual e-commerce volume is typically realized in the final quarter, stating: "This year, we expect the total fourth-quarter turnover of the e-commerce sector to be at least TRY 1.3 trillion. Based on a comparison with last year, we can say that the number of orders will be at least 3 billion units. If we also account for the increased number of e-commerce customers and newly established websites over the past year, the turnover and transaction volume figures could exceed our estimates."

Turkey ranks third in growth rate

Çiğdemli stated: "According to the e-commerce report published by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Turkey ranks third in the world in e-commerce growth rate. Although tightening economic conditions are narrowing the growth rate, according to the proportion of internet users who shop online at least once a week, Turkey ranks third in the world with 64.6%, after Thailand (66.8%) and South Korea (65.6%)."

Follow these rules for safe online shopping!

Çiğdemli also shared the rules that citizens should follow to shop safely during this period:

-Shop using your own devices. Whether it's your computer, tablet or smartphone, use your own device for shopping. It will be much easier for you to detect any unusual behavior in your device.

-Avoid shopping from public Wi-Fi hotspots. Not every internet connection is sufficiently secure for online payments. Do not use public Wi-Fi hotspots in shopping centers and malls for online shopping.

-Use a credit card or virtual credit card. Purchase transactions made using a credit card are safer because they do not cover funds held in demand or savings accounts. In fact, if you use a virtual credit card with a limited limit, you minimize the risk.

-Keep your security software up to date. If you have not done so already, install a reliable and up-to-date internet security solution with multiple protective layers.

-Always check the online address bar. Even when you see a recognized site, do not let your guard down. Fraudsters can create fake websites that are almost identical to the originals. Keep your eye on the URL, or the address bar. Fake sites are easily detected because they use different web addresses from the official sites they are trying to imitate.

-Check your statements after shopping. Checking your bank and credit card account balances is always good, especially after periods of unusually heavy shopping.