A new government-backed initiative called “Cumhur Reyonu” (“People’s Aisle”) will be rolled out across Turkey’s major supermarket chains, which collectively operate over 55,000 branches nationwide, pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak has reported.

The special “People’s Aisle” sections will be established in approximately 10–15% of each supermarket’s floor space. These designated sections will feature products sold at fixed, near-cost prices, aiming to protect consumers from rising food inflation, according to the newspaper.

The name “Cumhur Reyonu” notably echoes the branding of Turkey’s ruling coalition, the People’s Alliance (Cumhur Ittifaki in Turkish). This resemblance is unlikely to be coincidental, observers say.

Product prices in the designated “People’s Aisles” will be the same across the country. They will be centrally sourced and distributed through newly established state depots across metropolitan areas.

By eliminating intermediary supply chains and offering direct access to affordable goods, the initiative seeks to strengthen food security, especially for low-income citizens, said the daily, adding that if necessary, the government may subsidise prices further to ensure affordability.

According to the latest official data, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 0.07% m/m and 27.95% y/y in July, when the annual inflation rate dropped to 33.5%.

The People’s Alliance was formed in February 2018 between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), led by Devlet Bahceli.