The shopping mall turnover index reached 171 points in July, marking a 4.9 percent increase when compared to the same month last year.

According to the data, which was jointly prepared by the Shopping Malls and Investors Association and Akademetre Research and is disclosed on a monthly basis, the shopping mall turnover index rose by 14.4 percent to 175 points in the second quarter of 2015, when compared to the same period last year. The turnover of leasable areas on a square-meter basis in shopping malls increased by eight points to hit TL 652 ($234.41) per square meter in June when compared to the same period of last year.

The index surged by 16 percent in the technology category, while it increased by 4 percent and 3 percent in the shoes and food categories, respectively, when compared to the same period of last year. The turnovers of the clothing and hypermarket sections dropped by 2 percent and 7 percent, respectively. The index of the number of visitors also fell by 3 percent in June and it rose by 2.4 percent to 100 points in the second quarter of 2015 when compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the index, Shopping Malls and Investors Association Chairman Hulusi Belgü said the turnover growth is pleasing in a period where post-election uncertainties prevail. The decline in the turnovers of leasable areas on a square-meter basis and in the number of visitors in June, indicate people act more cautiously about consumption in this period, he added.