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If you spend more than a week in Turkey, one letter becomes inescapable: the giant orange “M”. But let’s get one thing straight: Migros in late 2025 is no longer just the cozy grocery store tourists might remember from a decade ago. It has evolved into a high-tech ecosystem comprising fintech solutions, rapid delivery fleets, and specialized boutiques that dominate Turkish retail. With a revenue of nearly 295 billion TL in the first nine months of 2025 alone, Migros effectively sets the tempo for prices and trends across the entire nation.
As an expat who witnesses the economic fluctuations here firsthand, I’ll tell you this: Understanding the “Migros System” won’t just save you moneyit will save your sanity. Forget the romanticized notion of buying everything at a cheap bazaar; here is how you actually shop efficiently in modern Turkey.
The Giant by the Numbers: Why Scale Matters
In Turkey, size equates to availability and price stability. As of December 16, 2025, Migros operates exactly 3,787 stores nationwide. This matters to you because it guarantees you can find your staple products almost anywherewhether you are in the hustle of Istanbul or a quiet town on the Aegean coast.
However, not all Migros stores are created equal. Many foreigners fall into the trap of trying to do their weekly haul at the wrong type of store. Here is your navigation guide through the jungle of “M”s:
- Migros Jet: Think of this as your neighborhood 7-Eleven or bodega. Small, fast, but often with a limited selection. Perfect for grabbing the bread you forgot, but terrible for a full grocery run.
- M Migros: The classic local grocer (100-400 m²). You will find all the basics here.
- MM & MMM Migros: This is where it gets interesting. These stores offer a substantial selection of non food items, textiles, and kitchenware.
- 5M Migros: The hypermarkets. If you need a new TV, camping gear, or bed sheets, this is your spot. Insider Tip: The home textile selection here can be surprisingly high-quality, rivaling some of the top Turkish towel brands and manufacturers.
Price Reality Check: The Cost of Living in Late 2025
The days when you could fill a shopping cart for a few Euros are behind us. Inflation is real, but Migros often acts as an anchor for fair pricing. Here is a snapshot from my shopping cart on December 18, 2025:
- Tomatoes: Currently around 44.95 TL per kilo. Quality comes at a price.
- Watermelon: A luxury item in winter. Expect to pay around 9.90 TL per kilo or significantly higher for imports. My advice: Shop seasonally. In winter, Turkish citrus fruits taste better and are far cheaper.
If you have just arrived and are shocked by the price of imported goods, know that this applies to more than just food. A quick look at iPhone 16 prices in Turkey confirms that tech and imports are treated as luxury goods here. Migros counters this with its own private label, often offering a high-quality, budget-friendly alternative to international brands.
The Hidden Ecosystem: More Than Just Groceries
This is what separates the pro expat from the amateur. If you are paying cash at the register without using the app, you are throwing money away. By 2025, Migros has transformed into a full blown tech platform.
1. MoneyPay: Your Financial Wildcard
With over 24 million users, the loyalty program is massive. But the real game changer is MoneyPay. The app offers a “Hazır Limit” (Ready Limit) featureessentially a “Buy Now, Pay Later” model. For expats who are still waiting for their local credit cards to be approved, this can be a lifesaver. You can also pay via QR code and transfer money instantly.
2. Mion: The Attack on the Beauty Market
You might have noticed a new player in town: Mion. This is Migros’ answer to drugstores like Watsons or Gratis. With 108 stores as of December 2025 and a strong presence in cities like Antalya, you no longer need to run into the big supermarket just for mascara or shampoo. Mion competes aggressively on price, often launching with massive opening discounts.
3. Macrocenter: The Expat Favorite (Handle with Care)
With 244 branches, Macrocenter is Migros’ premium daughter company. This is where you find avocados that are actually ripe, imported cheeses, and sushi. But be warned: the prices are significantly higher. Use Macrocenter for those specific treats you miss from home, but do your basic shopping at a regular Migros. It’s the same balancing act required when buying groceries in Turkey as an expat—mix high and low to protect your budget.
Online Shopping: The “Migros One” Revolution
If you live in one of Turkey’s 81 provinces, you technically never have to leave your house again. Under the umbrella of “Migros One,” delivery services have been massively expanded:
- Migros Hemen: The promise? Delivery in about 30 minutes. It works surprisingly well across all 81 provinces. Ideal for when you’re cooking and realize you’re out of cream.
- Migros Yemek: A direct competitor to the major food delivery apps. They often offer exclusive discounts for Money Club members that you won’t find on other platforms.
The system is so well integrated that it is often smoother than using third-party appsmirroring my general experience with online shopping in Turkey: sticking to locally integrated solutions usually results in fewer payment and delivery headaches.
An International Farewell: Full Focus on Turkey
Do you remember “Ramstore” in Kazakhstan or North Macedonia? That is now ancient history. Migros has strategically realigned. After selling its Macedonian division in 2021, the company completely withdrew from Kazakhstan in July 2024. For investors and customers, this means one thing: Migros is focusing 100% of its energy and resources on the Turkish market. You can see this focus in the speed at which new concepts like Mion or their EV charging infrastructure are being rolled out.
Verdict: How to Shop Smart in 2026
Migros in 2025/2026 is a technological powerhouse. Here is my cheat sheet for every newcomer:
- Download the App immediately and register for a Money Card. You are losing money without it.
- Know your stores: Use Migros Jet for water and bread, 5M for household goods, and Macrocenter for pure indulgence.
- Watch for the Yellow Labels: Look for the “Gördüğünüzde İnanın” (Believe It When You See It) dealsthese are genuine bargains designed to cushion the blow of inflation.
