Innovative projects developed by Yıldız Holding employees that create value for both society and business were recognized at the “Stars of the Year Award Ceremony,” held this year for the 17th time.                   

The “Stars of the Year Award Ceremony,” one of Yıldız Holding’s hallmark events that fosters a culture of shared learning and collective celebration, was held at Ülker Sports and Event Hall with the participation of Yıldız Holding employees and stakeholders from around the world.

Open to employees from across Yıldız Holding and its companies operating in diverse geographies, with Turkey leading the way, followed by China, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Romania, and Nigeria, the awards received a total of 145 submissions. Following evaluations by a panel of expert judges and a final review by the main jury, the shortlisted projects were voted on by 82,000 Yıldız Holding employees.

In line with “Make Happy, Be Happy” mindset, the competition recognized not only business-driven projects but also initiatives with social impact. This year, the category with the highest number of submissions was “Invest in People,” followed by “Contribution to Growth” and “Digital Transformation.”

Each year, the Chair’s Award of the Year is presented on the basis of a unique theme, with this year’s focus being “Synergy and Collaboration.” Projects in this category were personally evaluated by Yıldız Holding Chairman Ali Ülker. The assessment considered the depth of collaboration across Yıldız Holding companies and functions, the creativity of the solutions, their contribution to strategic goals, as well as both current achievements and their future potential and sustainable impact.

In the 17th edition of Stars of the Year, the Chair’s Award for Synergy and Collaboration was presented to the joint project by ŞOK and Kerevitaş.

Ali Ülker: “A sustainable future can only be achieved through collaboration”

Commenting on the ceremony, Yıldız Holding Chairman Ali Ülker stated:
“Synergy and collaboration—values deeply ingrained in Yıldız Holding’s corporate culture—are, now more than ever, critical pillars of success for companies navigating today’s dynamic and competitive landscape. When diverse perspectives, talents, and resources come together, they pave the way for innovative solutions and a more agile response to evolving market needs. Over the years, we have seen firsthand how collaboration and a unified working culture have been pivotal in driving successful projects across our regions, companies, and departments. This year, as a prime example of such synergy, I had the honor of presenting the Chair’s Award of the Year to Project Collab EDGE, a collaborative initiative between SuperFresh and ŞOK aimed at enhancing sales and customer satisfaction. The synergy created by this exemplary project delivered measurable results, including a 30% increase in sales, TRY 43 million in revenue, and TRY 4 million in cost savings.

Looking ahead, I firmly believe that building a sustainable future for all our stakeholders and maintaining our leadership through innovative products and services can only be achieved through continued collaboration. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our colleagues who contributed their projects to the Stars of the Year and helped further Yıldız Holding’s innovative and employee-centric vision.”

Mehmet Tütüncü: “Our culture of continuous improvement drives our sustainable success”

Delivering the opening speech at the ceremony, Yıldız Holding Vice Chairman and CEO Mehmet Tütüncü remarked: “Today, we celebrate the achievements of Yıldız Holding employees from around the world, who have worked with dedication and passion all year long to drive sustainable success. With the Stars of the Year, we recognize the team spirit that brings to life our innovative business ideas, strong synergy, and collaboration, all of which help us thrive in a competitive business environment and inspire one another to reach even greater achievements. As we learn from one another, we progress from good to great, cultivating a culture of continuous development that strengthens us.

As a concrete example of this approach, in 2024, we achieved a 53% increase in sales compared to the previous year, reaching TRY 490.5 billion, and grew our exports by 33% to TRY 22.7 billion. The total amount of taxes paid and to be paid by our companies in Turkey reached TRY 10.6 billion, which is an impressive figure.

These impressive results reflect not only our financial strength but also our deep commitment to our work and society. No matter where we operate in the world, with over 82,000 stars representing 102 different nationalities, we continue to prove that we are one united team, learning and achieving together. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the teams that have participated in the program and kept the excitement of Stars of the Year alive for 17 years.”

During the event, Yıldız Holding Retail Group President Uğur Demirel shared insights into Yıldız Holding’s organizational structure and its impact in the retail sector: “As the Retail Group of Yıldız Holding, we reach millions of households across Turkey through our companies in the retail sector. In the past year alone, we generated close to USD 6.5 billion in revenue. Over the last decade, we’ve invested USD 1 billion into our operations, and today, with nearly 13,700 stores and 52,000 employees, we stand as one of the largest retail groups in Turkey. We take great pride in creating equal opportunities for women, who make up 56% of our workforce, representing nearly 30,000 women. Our heartfelt dedication to our work makes us an integral part of people's everyday lives, and through our campaigns, we continue to fight against inflation.

Thanks to these efforts, ŞOK Marketler, one of Turkey’s leading discount retail brands, has consistently kept its inflation rate below the national CPI. Together with ŞOK, Bizim Toptan, g2m, Seç Market, and our suppliers, we have built an ecosystem of 300,000 people, generating economic value for over 1 million individuals, including their families. Every day, we strive to do better and deliver greater value for our country. On this occasion, I extend my congratulations to all the companies recognized for their contributions to people, society, and growth.”

pladis CFO Sridhar Ramamurthy added: "The Stars of the Year Awards are a testament to the talent, creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence of our colleagues across the globe. At pladis, it’s our people who are the driving force behind every success – bringing passion, innovation and collaboration to everything they do."

Murat Ülker, also present at the ceremony, stated: “With over 80,000 employees, including 20,000 across international locations, embracing our 'Make Happy, Be Happy' principle and collaborating as one, this is a prime example of our enduring business philosophy. This award ceremony strengthens this culture, inspiring and motivating us to always reach new heights of achievement. Together, we continue to achieve more and better every day.”

Winning Projects of the 17th Stars of the Year Awards

Contribution to Growth: SuperFresh’s Journey to Perfect Optimization

Operational Excellence: pladis - The Power of 0 and 100

Best Performing Marketing Campaign: pladis - “Homeland in My Heart” Communication Campaign

Social Media Heroes: Kerevitaş - SuperFresh x Karaca Presents: «Social Flavors»

Best Market Share Gain in Category or Trade: pladis - Ülker Chocolate’s Famous Dubai Delight

Invest in People: Yıldız Holding Digital HR Projects

Innovation: pladis - Jacob’s Bites

Corporate Social Responsibility: SuperFresh’s Shining Harvest: Women Stars of Agriculture

Digital Transformation: Digital Transformation Journey of pladis – pladis Turkey

Chair’s Award of the Year: ŞOK & Kerevitaş Collaboration