WE SPOKE WITH ÜNAL GÜNÇ ABOUT OKÇU TRİKO'S FUTURE GOALS.

We often hear your name mentioned on Fashion TV and in the fashion shows you organize. How was this connection established between Fashion TV and Okçu Triko?

In the second quarter of 2019, Okçu Triko decided to merge with Fashion TV in the PR field. Since I held the PR and textile rights for Fashion TV, frankly speaking, we wanted to merge with a group that had a strong history and infrastructure in Turkey. Okçu's 48-year company history and traditional corporate structure pushed us to merge with this brand. Of course, my direct involvement in the Turkish domestic market organization within Okçu Triko and my role as a bridge between the two sides accelerated the process.

What fashion shows can we expect in the upcoming period?

As you know, we organize countless events every year.

• Miss & Mr Fashion TV Beauty Pageant
• Fashion TV Fashion Awards
• Fashion TV Global Beauty Pageant Cyprus

And many more organizations.

Okçu is the main sponsor of many of the organizations I mentioned above. Incidentally, Fashion TV also organizes events exclusively for Okçu. For example, a large production held at the Istanbul Masquared club was one such event. Due to our relationship with FTV, it's also true that we sponsor many artist events in Türkiye and around the world.

What are your domestic and international goals?

While we continue to operate our corner franchises, a process we are managing with Mr. Osman and the wholesalers in Izmir, our target for Smart Stores in Turkey is 30. For our international organization, our medium to long-term goal is 35 stores. We are nearing the end of our international affiliate programs. Once we have established a solid infrastructure, we will launch the restructuring in the last quarter of the year.

What would you like to say about the dynamics of the Turkish domestic market?

As we know, we are located in a very diverse and dynamic region. Perhaps there are more areas where we are tested than many other countries. Of course, this gives us the opportunity to implement highly variable strategies. Looking at it from a positive perspective, it is gratifying for us to emerge unscathed from such a volatile structure. We are a large family, and we have many plans to protect the family, and we are implementing them. I can say that we have been successful. As you know, we are one of the rare countries that turn a crisis into an opportunity. We are resolutely continuing on our path.

Which provinces will the Okçu Store project cover? Can you tell us about the franchising process?

Actually, all of Turkey is on our radar. As of now, we have 11 Smart Stores and 900 corner franchises under our umbrella. Our primary goal is to transform our existing franchises into Smart Stores. We are more interested in moving forward and growing with those who understand retail. Our target is stores that do not exceed 100 m2. These are stores that are easy to manage, have fixed costs, and are essentially boutique stores, operating on a wardrobe concept.

We provide all kinds of technical support to these stores, which are owned and managed by the business owners. This includes Instagram management, inventory tracking, and network data management. We aim to increase inventory turnover rate through separate fashion shows and PR events organized for each store.

Each store has its own team of experienced professionals: a Social Communications Specialist, a Visual Merchandising Specialist, Product Managers, a Sales Performance Evaluation Systems Team, and a PR Team.

What awaits us at the end of this process, which has gained momentum with your support?

Of course, we are making steady progress towards becoming a global brand. We closely follow and adapt to the digital world, remaining actively involved. We are a style company that understands the language of design. Our goal is for the average woman to feel comfortable with us. Our women are grounded, love fashion and dressing well, and are successful, productive, and passionate. With a foundation of 48 years, we will continue to position our company well on the global stage for another half-century.

Source: intowndergisi.com