Rising clothing prices highlight economic struggles for Turks as winter nears-Xinhua

Rising clothing prices highlight economic struggles for Turks as winter nears-Xinhua

Rising clothing prices highlight economic struggles for Turks as winter nears-Xinhua

People shop for clothes at a store in Ankara, Türkiye, on Sept. 30, 2024. In Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, the crisp autumn air carries more than just the promise of winter — it also brings with it the stark reality of economic hardship for many of the city’s residents. The clothing industry, a pillar of Türkiye’s economy and a major employer, finds itself at the center of this economic storm. Türkiye has long been proud of its position as the third-largest supplier of apparel to Europe, benefiting from its strategic location bridging two continents. However, the sector is now facing unprecedented pressures. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — In Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, the crisp autumn air carries more than just the promise of winter — it also brings with it the stark reality of economic hardship for many of the city’s residents.

On Tunali Hilmi Avenue, a popular shopping destination known for its trendy boutiques and cafes, Bulent Ecevit, a father of two, stood before a shop window, his brow furrowed in concern.

“Six thousand, seven thousand lira for a coat?” he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s nearly half my monthly salary. How can I afford to keep my son warm this winter?”

Ecevit’s plight is far from unique. As Türkiye grapples with ongoing economic challenges, including high inflation and a weakened currency, ordinary citizens find themselves caught in a financial vise. The minimum wage, which Ecevit earns, stands at 17,000 lira per month — equivalent to around 497 U.S. dollars. It’s a sum that, for many, barely covers the essentials, let alone winter wardrobes.

The clothing industry, a pillar of Türkiye’s economy and a major employer, finds itself at the center of this economic storm. Türkiye has long been proud of its position as the third-largest supplier of apparel to Europe, benefiting from its strategic location bridging two continents. However, the sector is now facing unprecedented pressures.

Oguzhan Sert, manager of a women’s boutique on Tunali Hilmi Avenue, offered a shopkeeper’s perspective.

“Our costs have skyrocketed — raw materials, labor, everything. We’ve had to nearly double our prices compared to last year just to stay afloat,” he explained, gesturing to the racks of coats and sweaters behind him. “But how can we expect people to buy when their wages haven’t kept pace?”

The government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has implemented a disinflation program aimed at curbing runaway prices. Official figures show some success, with year-on-year inflation dropping to 52 percent in August from a peak of over 75 percent in May.

Erdogan himself has declared that Türkiye is “leaving the difficult economic times behind,” projecting confidence in a “solid and sustainable decline” in inflation.

Yet for many on the streets of Ankara, relief seems distant. The disconnect between official optimism and daily reality is palpable. Some, like a father of two who wished to remain anonymous, have turned to second-hand shops out of necessity.

“I found a winter coat for my daughter at half the price,” he said. “It wasn’t a choice — it was the only way to keep her warm this year.”

A man looks at a shoe at a store in Ankara, Türkiye, on Sept. 30, 2024. In Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, the crisp autumn air carries more than just the promise of winter — it also brings with it the stark reality of economic hardship for many of the city’s residents. The clothing industry, a pillar of Türkiye’s economy and a major employer, finds itself at the center of this economic storm. Türkiye has long been proud of its position as the third-largest supplier of apparel to Europe, benefiting from its strategic location bridging two continents. However, the sector is now facing unprecedented pressures. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A man tries on a jacket at a store in Ankara, Türkiye, on Sept. 30, 2024. In Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, the crisp autumn air carries more than just the promise of winter — it also brings with it the stark reality of economic hardship for many of the city’s residents. The clothing industry, a pillar of Türkiye’s economy and a major employer, finds itself at the center of this economic storm. Türkiye has long been proud of its position as the third-largest supplier of apparel to Europe, benefiting from its strategic location bridging two continents. However, the sector is now facing unprecedented pressures. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

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