Building Materials Retailers' Outlook on the Construction Sector

Beşiktaş, located on the European side of the Strait, ranks among Istanbul's most prestigious districts. This neighbourhood, which has seen construction since the Byzantine period, acquired its character as a settlement during the Ottoman era. During the period of Admiral Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha, the Beşiktaş region gained particular importance from a maritime perspective and was suitable for use as a harbour, with Ottoman fleet ships anchoring in this area. Beşiktaş Bay began to be filled in from the 17th century onwards. Over time, the area took on the character of a "hasbahçe" - a recreational retreat arranged for the sultans' rest and entertainment - and palaces and mansions were constructed. Although the Topkapi Palace served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire, after Selim III, sultans began spending much of their time in structures in Beşiktaş. Sultan Abdülmecit had the Dolmabahçe Palace built, thereby transferring the empire's administrative centre to Beşiktaş. All subsequent sultans resided in various palaces, including Dolmabahçe Palace as well as Yıldız Palace and Çırağan Palace, both located in present-day Beşiktaş district. Beşiktaş district hosted the Ottoman throne until the empire's collapse. It is known that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk first resided at his mother Zübeyde Hanım's house in Akaretler during the War of Independence (today the Akaretler Mustafa Kemal Museum).

Although the importance of Beşiktaş district decreased after the proclamation of the Republic, during the remainder of Atatürk's life, whenever he came to Istanbul, he stayed at Dolmabahçe

Palace, which allowed Beşiktaş district to retain some of its importance. Previously a sub-district attached to Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş became a district in 1930. Residential areas outside the historical neighbourhoods that form the core of Beşiktaş District - such as Beşiktaş, Yıldız, Ortaköy, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy and Bebek - emerged from the 1950s onwards. In 1950, the foundations of the Levent neighbourhood were laid with mass housing developments featuring detached homes on the land of the historic Levent Farm, followed by the establishment of the neighbourhoods of Etiler, Konaklar, Akatlar, Nisbetiye, Levazım and Kültür. Today, Beşiktaş is one of Istanbul's historically richest districts, while simultaneously representing both the history and modern face of contemporary Istanbul through neighbourhoods such as Bebek and Etiler. Beşiktaş hosts historically significant and invaluable properties including Dolmabahçe and Çırağan Palaces, Ihlamur Mansion, Sinan Pasha Mosque and the row houses in Akaretler. Beşiktaş, one of Istanbul's most central districts, is home to properties that many dream of owning. The Istanbul Metro currently runs tangentially through Beşiktaş's neighbourhoods, with a metro station only in Etiler, but the Mecidiyeköy-Kabataş metro line has begun construction and is progressing rapidly. The ferry terminals on the Strait (Beşiktaş, Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha, Ortaköy, Bebek) provide significant contribution to transportation along the waterfront. Particularly with the financial centres in Levent and the location of the country's most prestigious universities, including Yıldız Technical University and Boğaziçi University, the Beşiktaş district continues to be the favourite of the real estate market.

Atmaca Nalburiye - Ferhat Atmaca, third-generation representative of Atmaca Nalburiye, which has been operating in Beşiktaş Ihlamurdere since the 1970s, spoke with us about demand for paints and sheet metal products.

Atmaca, stating that he has been working in the sector for approximately 17 years, said that business has calmed down somewhat compared to previous years. He noted that people's purchasing power has decreased compared to the past and that many are preoccupied with making ends meet, which is why paint sales have slowed. When asked about their customer profile, Atmaca stated that they make most of their sales to end consumers, while also noting that professionals in the sector such as craftsmen and contractors are among their customers. When asked about the impact of urban renewal on their business, Atmaca said that it has had a positive effect, with them making large-scale sales to some customers from time to time.

When asked whether paint buyers purchase for aesthetic reasons - to bring a change to their homes and lives - or out of necessity, Atmaca responded, "Not many people paint for pleasure anymore, that's a thing of the past. People paint out of necessity. Purchasing power has decreased compared to before." Noting that this season beige tones and water-based silicone products are dominant, Atmaca continued, "We have machines, and with them countless colours available. We can produce any colour according to the customer's wishes."

When asked whether customers have a specific colour in mind, he responded, "Generally, customers have a rough idea of a colour, but we help them out. For example, they say 'My furniture is this colour, my floors are this colour, my curtains and drapes are this colour, what would you suggest to match?' - and we guide our customers accordingly based on these elements." When asked about the impact of advertising and prices on paint sales, he said, "Generally, advertisements come to the forefront, and there are certain brands in people's minds that have an effect. But nowadays, price is more important. I also sell a different brand that has machines but hasn't done much advertising - there's no problem. Because the price is reasonable. Looking at quality, we've given samples to painters and applicators and tested them. There's no difference in quality. Some of my customers might say 'This brand, nothing else will do.' But ultimately, that's not how it works, and I can convince most of my customers. In the end, advertising has some effect but not much," he said. Noting that customers can also do painting and renovation work themselves, Atmaca concluded, "We show many people how it's done and provide everything they need - and people manage to do a very nice job."