SmartDebit responds to increase in online credit card transactions in Turkey

Market showing real growth

According to data released by Turkey’s Interbank Card Center, Turks are embracing online shopping as the number of online credit card transaction increased to the value of USD17.4bn during 2012. This is compared with the previous years reported total of USD12.9bn.

The data also revealed that 19 million out of the existing 54 million credit cards in Turkey were used to purchase goods and services through the internet in 2012. Furthermore, the number of credit cards issued by the banks rose by 6% over the year, whilst the number of debit cards issued increased by 11%, a total circulation of 91 million.

Point of sale terminals, which total 2.1 million throughout Turkey, also contributed to the growth in card usage. Shopping by via credit card totalled USD186.5bn in 2012, a 25% increase from 2011. Debit cards usage experienced a 36% growth during the past year, with the total value of debit transactions reaching USD8.9bn.

A spokesperson from SmartDebit commented on the latest report: “We are always interested in payment performance data, regardless of the country. Much like the recent report on the increase in online transaction in the Philippines, Turkey’s e-commerce market is showing real growth. A global pattern is emerging, with products and services continuing to become accessible worldwide via internet”. He continues, “Global smartphone penetration is also becoming a major factor in online sales. M-commerce accounted for 11% of total e-commerce sales in the UK in 2012 and is expected to continue rapid growth during 2013.”

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