Strict Inspections and Penalties by the Ministry of Trade on Businesses Refusing to Sell Displayed Products
The Ministry of Trade has determined the penalty amount for 2026 for businesses that refuse to sell products displayed in shop windows and on digital platforms without providing a valid justification.
The Ministry of Trade has intensified its inspections targeting businesses that avoid selling products displayed in shop windows, on shelves, and on digital platforms without a valid justification. As of 2026, those who fail to comply with the rules will face a 10 percent administrative fine, and the penalty cannot be less than 3,973 liras per violation.
Sanctions Against Bait-and-Switch Tactics
Administrative sanctions have been introduced against the tactic known publicly as bait-and-switch, where consumers are lured in with attractively priced products and directed toward more expensive ones. Inspections have been tightened pursuant to Article 6 of the Law on the Protection of Consumers No. 6502.
2026 Administrative Fine Rates
As of 2026, businesses that fail to comply with the rules will be subject to an administrative fine equal to 10 percent of the product's sales price, including taxes. The penalty to be applied cannot be below 3,973 liras per violation.
Excuses and Exceptions Not Deemed Valid
In sectors such as furniture, electronics, automotive, ready-to-wear, and real estate, statements such as "it was just sold," "it is just a display item," "our stocks are depleted," or "the system has not been updated" will not be considered valid reasons on their own.
Calculation of Penalties and Recurrence
The sanction mechanism in question is scaled according to the value of the product. If a product priced at 2,000 liras is not sold, the 10 percent slice amounts to 200 liras, but the baseline limit will be applied and a penalty of 3,973 liras will be issued.
Conversely, for a product worth over 40,000 liras or other high-value products, calculations will be made based on the rate and the penalty may increase. If the violation is repeated against multiple consumers, penalties will be applied incrementally for each transaction separately.
Consumer Recourse Methods
Consumers can file complaints with the Ministry of Trade via e-Government by documenting shelf labels, screenshots, or advertisement visuals in case of a discrepancy between the window price and the cash register price, or if the product is not provided. Consumer Arbitration Committees serve as the authorized body in resolving disputes.