Doğan Online will consider smart partnership chances

ISTANBUL

Hanzade Doğan Boyner says Doğan will unveil its authentic e-book reader device. Hürriyet photo

Doğan Online has no plans to sell off hepsiburada.com, a leading local e-trade portal, but might consider a partner if such a company would add value to the business, its chairwoman, Hanzade Doğan Boyner, who also chairs Doğan Gazetecilik, has said.

Speaking at the Webrazzi Summit 2012 in Istanbul on Oct. 4, Doğan Boyner said Doğan Online plans to close 2012 with 1 billion Turkish Liras in revenues, before 1.4 billion liras next year.

“If a company that would add value to us comes out, we might become partners. We can grow on our own,” she said, adding that the company was in talks with firms with potential.

“We plan to grow not only with acquisitions but by inspecting the retail sector closely.”

The company evaluates hepsiburada sales not in comparison with countrywide online sales but the whole sector, she noted. “We want to be in all sections in the 300 billion-lira retail sector, excluding the 150 billion-lira food sector.” The company has vertical investments in the field of textiles, household goods and technology, she added.

“Shopping rates over mobile devices are growing rapidly. The share [of shopping on mobile devices] will rise in the future, she also said.

The company is set to unveil new investments in the classified ads sector, which it gives great importance, Doğan Boyner said.

Doğan Online plans to reveal its e-book reader device in three years, the chairwoman also said.