Türkiye’s e-commerce industry continues its impressive growth, now accounting for 20% of all retail sales in the country, according to İrem Çağrı Yılandil, Head of International Expansion at Trendyol. The milestone was announced during her address at the INMerge Innovation Summit 2025 held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The 20% figure marks a significant rise from just 10% five years ago. This doubling of market share is closely tied to pandemic-related shifts in consumer behavior and increased investment in digital infrastructure. According to data from Statista, Türkiye’s e-commerce revenue is expected to surpass 30 billion USD by the end of 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing digital economies among emerging markets.
Trendyol, as one of the country’s largest e-commerce platforms, has been at the center of this transformation. With over 250,000 sellers and 30 million active users in Türkiye alone, the platform has become more than a marketplace it’s a critical component of the country’s digital retail infrastructure. A recent eCommerceDB report placed Trendyol among the top e-commerce platforms in the MENA region.
The company’s ability to scale rapidly is credited to its focus on localized logistics, fast delivery, and a user experience tailored to the needs of Turkish consumers. These factors have helped build trust in online shopping an essential driver for long-term digital adoption.
Beyond domestic growth, Trendyol has started to position itself as a regional player. Over the past two years, the company has expanded operations into Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria. While Türkiye’s e-commerce penetration is at 20%, in countries like Romania and Saudi Arabia, online retail accounts for just 10–12% and 9% of total retail respectively. In Central Asia, the figures are even lower ranging between 5% and 7%.
These statistics highlight the regional potential that remains largely untapped. Trendyol is looking to capitalize on this by introducing country-specific strategies, including tailored logistics models, localized marketing, and partnerships with local vendors.
Türkiye’s rise as a digital commerce hub is not only a result of private sector innovation. Public initiatives have also played a key role. The OECD Digital Economy Outlook shows that Türkiye ranks among the top-performing emerging markets in terms of digital transition and mobile connectivity. Government incentives for SMEs and start-ups have also encouraged broader participation in e-commerce platforms.
Trendyol’s expansion is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises, which can now access national and international markets without the traditional costs of physical expansion. This has democratized commerce in Türkiye, allowing entrepreneurs from rural regions to participate in the digital economy on equal footing.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as an accelerant for the entire industry. Even after restrictions were lifted, the consumer preference for digital channels persisted. A McKinsey & Company report published in late 2023 showed that 71% of Turkish consumers continued to prefer online shopping over traditional retail, a sign that the shift in habits is likely permanent.
To meet the changing expectations of its user base, Trendyol has focused heavily on artificial intelligence, personalization, and data-driven logistics. For instance, the platform uses AI to enhance product discovery and optimize delivery times, creating a smoother customer journey.
Sustainability has also become central to Trendyol’s strategy. The company is introducing electric vehicles into its delivery fleet, using recyclable packaging, and applying route optimization algorithms to cut emissions. These efforts earned it recognition at the European E-Commerce Awards in 2024, where it received the “Green Tech Logistics Innovator” title.
Yet challenges remain. Regulatory uncertainties around data privacy, cross-border taxation, and e-commerce legislation still pose risks. Furthermore, international giants like Amazon and Alibaba are increasing their presence in Türkiye and its neighboring markets, raising competition. However, Trendyol’s deep understanding of local markets and consumer behavior provides it with a competitive edge.
Looking ahead, industry analysts believe that Türkiye could become a strategic hub for digital commerce in the broader region. Its infrastructure, population, and tech literacy make it well-suited to serve as a launchpad for e-commerce operations targeting Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
As İrem Çağrı Yılandil concluded during her summit remarks, Trendyol’s mission extends beyond business metrics—it aims to transform how the region shops, interacts, and grows in a digital economy.
