Consumers in Türkiye now have a powerful new tool to help them shop smarter, thanks to the launch of the “Market Fiyatı” mobile application developed by TÜBİTAK. The app, which is now available on both Google Play and the App Store, enables shoppers to compare product prices across different nearby supermarkets, helping them find the best deals with ease.
Announcing the launch on social media, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır emphasized that the app is designed to empower consumers in an era where prices can vary significantly between retailers. By integrating location-based services and barcode scanning technology, the platform offers real-time, store-specific pricing information.
How the “Market Fiyatı” app works
The app allows users to:
View prices at nearby supermarkets using location-based data.
Scan product barcodes with their phone camera to instantly check prices in multiple stores.
Compare options and identify the most affordable retailer for a given item.
By combining these features, “Market Fiyatı” aims to make shopping more transparent and cost-effective, especially at a time when food and household product prices are under constant scrutiny.
Supported by key government institutions
Minister Kacır highlighted that the project was made possible through the collaboration of TÜBİTAK, the Ministry of Trade, and the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye. This multi-institutional effort reflects the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for consumer benefit.
The minister’s official statement read:
“With our new mobile application, you will be able to see the prices of markets near your location and use your phone’s camera as a barcode reader. Supported by the Ministry of Trade and the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, we hope our citizens make effective use of this service.”
Potential benefits for consumers
Price comparison apps have proven highly effective in other countries, reducing the time and effort consumers spend on finding the best deals. In Türkiye, where market prices can differ widely between neighborhoods, such a tool could:
Increase price transparency and competitiveness among retailers.
Help households manage their budgets more effectively.
Encourage supermarkets to keep their prices competitive to retain customers.
Part of a broader digital transformation in shopping
The launch of “Market Fiyatı” aligns with Türkiye’s broader push toward digital transformation in retail. Similar initiatives, such as e-receipts, online price tracking, and loyalty applications, have been gaining traction.
If widely adopted, the app could also contribute to inflation monitoring by providing anonymized pricing data to policymakers, enabling more accurate tracking of market trends.
Outlook
While the app’s success will depend on consumer adoption and retailer participation, its introduction marks an important step in making shopping more efficient and data-driven in Türkiye. As more users download and use the app, it may become an essential companion for everyday grocery shopping, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.
