Europeans Turn to Turkish Grocers

Living in Belgium since 1973, Hakan Colaker and his three brothers from the Emirdag district of Afyon, runs a big supermarket. His establishment, in the historical city of Gent, is said to be the favorite of politicians. Photographs of Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt visiting the shop and tasting Turkish delights adorn Colaker’s work place walls .

Colaker is one of 200 thousand Turks living in Belgium. He regards Belgium as his second home. He believes that Europeans, who are systematic shoppers and have become estranged to human values, have warmed to the ‘Turkish neighborhood’ shopping experience. He added that Belgians also enjoyed the idea of product displays outside shop windows.