STORES SHUTTERS COME DOWN
By Zelis Yildiral, Istanbul
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 16 2006
In response to France’s proposed law to criminalize denial of an
Armenian genocide during World War I, some companies are closing
their stores.
Yesterday, most stores in the Taksim Square district that sell French
goods did not open.
Many foreign members of the United Brands Association (UBA), a
non-governmental organization of the Turkish retail sector, are
concerned about reaction to the bill and are taking extra precautions.
Boycotts of French products are spreading all over the country.
>From Istanbul and Izmit in the west, to Konya and Nevsehir in the east,
fresh protests continued. Shelves in a market in Erzurum were cleared
of French products and residents in Nigde, not content to leave it
at that, burnt their French products.
In many stores, once favored products are being returned or left on
the shelves after customers learn of their French origin.
The cosmetic sector is being especially affected as 80 percent of
cosmetic products sold on the market belong to French companies.
Shoppers are going right past shelves stacked with Vichy and Loreal
creams, shampoos and make-up products.
Long-time Loreal user Ayse Genc says, "I don’t know what France is
trying to do, but it’s hurting the friendship between two countries."
Aysel Ordu says that from now on she is checking the label for French
origins, and adds "I’ve given up a French perfume I really like I’ve
been using for two years."