Koton
Turkey
Koton is a Turkish clothing retailer headquartered in Istanbul that began in 1988 with a 25 square metre store in Kuzguncuk. It listed on Borsa Istanbul in July 2024 under the ticker KOTON. It matters as one of the Turkish fashion chains that grew from a single shop into an international retailer and a listed company.
| Founded | 1988, Kuzguncuk, Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Listing | Borsa Istanbul, July 2024 (KOTON) |
| Segment | Mass market and fast fashion |
| Stores | Over 480 (2019 figure) |
| Website | koton.com |
What is Koton?
Koton is a Turkish clothing company headquartered in Istanbul. According to Wikipedia, it started in 1988 with a small store of 25 square metres in the Kuzguncuk district of the city.
History
The retailer grew from that first shop into a national chain. Wikipedia reports more than 480 stores in 2019, and an earlier figure of over 480 stores in 28 countries in 2015. The founder is not named in the sources reviewed, and the page lists Ahmed Al Ghabir as a key person and owner, which could not be confirmed against a second source, so no group owner is stated here.
Initial public offering
On 10 May 2024 Koton announced an initial public offering under the ticker KOTON. Trading on Borsa Istanbul began on 9 July 2024. About 16.5 per cent of the shares were listed in an offering worth 4.17 billion Turkish lira.
Products and positioning
Koton sells ready-to-wear clothing at accessible prices and is positioned as a value-oriented fashion chain in the same broad segment as LC Waikiki and DeFacto. The sources reviewed describe the category simply as clothing, and do not give a breakdown by gender or age group, so the categories listed here are the typical scope of a family-oriented chain rather than a sourced split.
Business model and distribution
The store network is the central channel in the available sources. The sources reviewed do not describe the online channel, wholesale or franchise arrangements, and they do not cover technology initiatives, so none are claimed.
Why it matters
Koton's story, from a 25 square metre store to a listed company with hundreds of stores, is typical of the Turkish fashion retail sector. Its 2024 listing makes it one of the few Turkish apparel retailers that investors can follow on a public market, which gives analysts access to regular financial disclosure that most private competitors do not provide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koton a listed company?
Yes. Koton began trading on Borsa Istanbul on 9 July 2024 under the ticker KOTON, after offering about 16.5 per cent of its shares.
Where is Koton from?
Koton is from Turkey. It started in 1988 with a small store in the Kuzguncuk district of Istanbul and is headquartered in the city.