Quick Answer
Which supermarket is best for expats in Turkey?
For cheapest staples: BIM or A101. For all-round mid-range shopping with delivery: Migros or CarrefourSA. For imported goods and comfort foods from home: Macro Center (major cities) or Metro Cash & Carry. Most expats shop at 2–3 stores: BIM for cheap basics, Migros for the mid-range weekly shop, and occasional Macro Center or Metro runs for imported treats.
Supermarket Comparison Table
| Chain | Tier | Price Index | English | Delivery | Imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIM | Budget Discount | 100 | No | No | Very Limited |
| A101 | Budget Discount | 105 | No | Limited | Very Limited |
| SOK | Budget Discount | 108 | No | No | Very Limited |
| Migros | Mid-Range | 145 | Partial | Yes (Migros Online) | Good Selection |
| CarrefourSA | Mid-Range | 148 | Partial | Yes (CarrefourSA Online) | Good Selection |
| Metro Cash & Carry | Wholesale/Mid | 130 | Partial | Yes | Excellent |
| Macro Center | Premium | 185 | Yes | Yes | Premium Selection |
| Kipa (Tesco) | Mid-Range | 140 | Partial | Via Migros | Moderate |
Price Index: BIM = 100 baseline. Higher index = more expensive on equivalent basket.
Supermarket Deep Dives
BIM
Budget DiscountBest for: Cheapest staples — flour, oil, pasta, cleaning products, dairy
Turkey's most popular discount chain. Extremely cheap basics. Limited range (~400 SKUs). No English. Perfect for weekly staples top-ups.
A101
Budget DiscountBest for: Similar to BIM but slightly wider range; some household goods
Competing directly with BIM. Slightly wider product range. Some seasonal non-food items (BIM and A101 regularly stock rotating "special buys"). No imported goods.
SOK
Budget DiscountBest for: Third discount option; slightly more variety than BIM/A101
Part of the same discount tier as BIM and A101. Very similar offering. If all three are nearby, BIM is typically cheapest but SOK sometimes has better fresh produce.
Migros
Mid-RangeBest for: All-rounder mid-range shopping; imported goods; online delivery
Turkey's flagship mid-range chain. Best online delivery platform (Migros Online / Getir). Good imported cheese, wine, international products. English-language app available.
CarrefourSA
Mid-RangeBest for: International brands; familiar European products; large store format
French-owned franchise feel. Often larger floor space than Migros with broader selection. Familiar to European expats — similar layout and product philosophy.
Metro Cash & Carry
Wholesale/MidBest for: Bulk buying; best imported goods selection; wine and spirits; catering
Wholesale format but open to individuals with a free Metro card. Best selection of imported cheeses, meats, wines and spirits. Bulk packs save money on non-perishables. Requires a car.
Macro Center
PremiumBest for: Premium expat shopping — imported cheeses, wines, specialty items, organic
Turkey's premium supermarket chain. English labels on many products. Widest imported goods selection. Organic and health food section. Expensive but excellent quality. Expat go-to for comfort food from home.
Kipa (Tesco)
Mid-RangeBest for: Izmir region expats; Tesco-style familiar shopping experience
Former Tesco joint venture, now rebranded. Mainly in Izmir/Aegean. Familiar big-box hypermarket format. Good fresh section. Less widespread than Migros.
The Farmer's Market Culture (Pazar)
Turkey has a vibrant weekly street market (pazar) culture that predates supermarkets and remains central to how Turks shop. Every neighbourhood has its pazar day — typically once or twice per week.
Pazar prices for fresh produce are consistently 30–50% cheaper than supermarkets, and quality is usually higher — produce is often picked that morning. Most expats who adapt to pazar shopping dramatically cut their food costs.
- Find your local pazar day — ask neighbours or search "semt pazarı" + your neighbourhood
- Bring a wheeled shopping trolley (sepet) — plastic bags are rarely available
- Arrive in the first half for best selection; last hour for cheapest prices (traders sell off remaining stock)
- Learn basic quantity words: yarım kilo (half a kilo), bir kilo (one kilo)
- Bargaining is not expected at pazar — prices are already the lowest they will be
- Organic (organik) sections exist at larger bazaars, usually marked separately
Weekly Shop Cost Examples
Budget single person
Shopping at: BIM + pazar (market)
- •Eggs (12)
- •Bread (3 loaves)
- •Chicken breast (1kg)
- •Yogurt (1kg)
- •Tomatoes (2kg)
- •Cucumbers (1kg)
- •Pasta (500g)
- •Olive oil (1L)
- •Milk (2L)
€12–15
Mid-range couple
Shopping at: Migros or CarrefourSA
- •As above plus cheese, wine, imported coffee, snacks, cleaning products
€40–55
Premium / comfort shopping
Shopping at: Macro Center
- •Imported cheese selection, quality wine, specialty items, organic produce, familiar brands
€80–120