In recent weeks, the Balkans have witnessed a wave of civil discontent
expressed through boycotts of retail chains. These initiatives began in
Croatia on January 24, 2025, when the civic platform "Hello Inspector"
called on consumers to refrain from shopping in retail chains on that
day, protesting against high prices. According to local media, in some
regions, sales have decreased by more than 50%. ---- Inspired by the
Croatian example, similar boycotts have been organized in other Balkan
countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia
and Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, the Federation of Consumers and Pensioners'
Organizations announced a boycott of retail chains on February 13, 2025,
calling on citizens not to shop in any grocery store or retail chain on
that day.
While these one-day boycotts attract attention and express public
discontent, their impact remains limited if they are not supported by
long-term strategies and consistent actions.
Why is a one-day boycott of large supermarkets ineffective on its own?
Nowadays, boycotts are often used as a means of protesting certain
business practices or political decisions. However, when it comes to a
one-day boycott, the effect of such a protest remains highly
questionable - especially if participants stock up on the same items in
advance.
Pre-stocking is a defeatist move.
Many who plan to participate can buy the goods they need before the day
of the protest. This means that supermarkets will not see a significant
drop in sales during the week of the boycott, as customers have already
secured their purchases. The financial hit to the large chains remains
minimal, and the political signal sent loses its weight.
One-day boycotts can attract attention and stimulate public discussion
on a given issue. However, if the protest is only symbolic and not
backed by long-term and sustainable measures, it will not lead to
significant changes. The real power of a boycott lies in the duration
and coordination of actions - a short-term protest, especially when
combined with advance stockpiling, will not put serious pressure on
supermarkets.
Lack of strategic planning
An effective protest requires a clearly defined strategy and coordinated
effort. A one-day boycott often shows a lack of long-term vision and
insufficient organization. If the goal is to bring about real change, it
is important that the protest is part of a wider campaign that includes
not only boycotts, but also other forms of public pressure and consumer
information. Without this, the gesture remains formal and has no real
impact.
The economic stability of large supermarkets
Large supermarkets have the scale and reserves that allow them to absorb
short-term drops in sales. The effect of a one-day boycott is
practically imperceptible in the context of the annual turnover of these
businesses. If customers stock up in advance, the financial hit is not
even felt, making the boycott even less effective as a means of change.
Historically, successful boycotts have been long-lasting
For example:
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
Duration: 381 days (December 5, 1955 to December 20, 1956)
For over a year, the African-American community in Montgomery refused to
ride buses and organized alternative modes of transportation. The
boycott ultimately ended with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared
segregation on buses illegal.
2. Boycott of British Goods in India (Early 20th Century)
Duration: Years (officially began in 1905 and continued until 1947)
One of the first major boycotts began in 1905 as part of the Swat
Movement against British rule. It continued in waves over the following
decades and played a role in India's independence in 1947.
3. Grape Boycott in the United States (1965-1970)
Duration: Almost 5 years
It began in 1965 as a strike by agricultural workers and grew into a
nationwide boycott supported by millions of Americans. In 1970, it led
to the signing of the first collective bargaining agreements for workers.
4. The Nestlé Boycott (1977-present)
Duration: Over 45 years (started in 1977 and continues today)
Although it peaked in the 1980s, this boycott continues today with
varying intensity. It led to stricter regulations on the marketing of
infant formula, but the company is still subject to criticism.
5. The Anti-Apartheid Boycott in South Africa (1960-1990)
Duration: About 30 years
The international boycott of the South African economy and sporting
events began in the 1960s and intensified in the 1980s. It led to severe
economic pressure on the country and ultimately to the end of apartheid
in 1994.
6. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama Bus Boycott (1953)
Duration: Several weeks
This boycott was shorter, but it laid the groundwork for larger
protests, such as the one in Montgomery.
7. The Holiday Inn and Hyatt Hotel Boycotts (1980s and 1990s)
Duration: Several years
These boycotts were part of long-term union campaigns to improve working
conditions in the hotel industry. They led to successful negotiations
and improvements for workers.
In conclusion
A one-day boycott of large supermarkets, especially when boycotters
stock up in advance, has been very limited in its impact. The symbolic
nature of the gesture does not compensate for the lack of long-term
strategy and coordination. To achieve real results, the protest needs to
be part of a long-term and well-thought-out campaign that puts
significant pressure on both the supermarkets and the responsible
institutions.
It is important to demonstrate our solidarity and readiness for mutual
assistance. The poorest segments of the population suffer from such
boycotts, who simply cannot afford to replace the super cheap, albeit
low-quality goods offered by large chains.
The creation of targeted mutual aid funds and cash desks can
significantly extend the duration of the protests. It is important to
demonstrate readiness and endurance for more serious protest actions.
And only then can we hope for success, and not just a media event and
another disappointment among the people from the powerlessness, against
the arrogance of the rich.
Fedman Kasad
https://www.anarchy.bg/
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
expressed through boycotts of retail chains. These initiatives began in
Croatia on January 24, 2025, when the civic platform "Hello Inspector"
called on consumers to refrain from shopping in retail chains on that
day, protesting against high prices. According to local media, in some
regions, sales have decreased by more than 50%. ---- Inspired by the
Croatian example, similar boycotts have been organized in other Balkan
countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia
and Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, the Federation of Consumers and Pensioners'
Organizations announced a boycott of retail chains on February 13, 2025,
calling on citizens not to shop in any grocery store or retail chain on
that day.
While these one-day boycotts attract attention and express public
discontent, their impact remains limited if they are not supported by
long-term strategies and consistent actions.
Why is a one-day boycott of large supermarkets ineffective on its own?
Nowadays, boycotts are often used as a means of protesting certain
business practices or political decisions. However, when it comes to a
one-day boycott, the effect of such a protest remains highly
questionable - especially if participants stock up on the same items in
advance.
Pre-stocking is a defeatist move.
Many who plan to participate can buy the goods they need before the day
of the protest. This means that supermarkets will not see a significant
drop in sales during the week of the boycott, as customers have already
secured their purchases. The financial hit to the large chains remains
minimal, and the political signal sent loses its weight.
One-day boycotts can attract attention and stimulate public discussion
on a given issue. However, if the protest is only symbolic and not
backed by long-term and sustainable measures, it will not lead to
significant changes. The real power of a boycott lies in the duration
and coordination of actions - a short-term protest, especially when
combined with advance stockpiling, will not put serious pressure on
supermarkets.
Lack of strategic planning
An effective protest requires a clearly defined strategy and coordinated
effort. A one-day boycott often shows a lack of long-term vision and
insufficient organization. If the goal is to bring about real change, it
is important that the protest is part of a wider campaign that includes
not only boycotts, but also other forms of public pressure and consumer
information. Without this, the gesture remains formal and has no real
impact.
The economic stability of large supermarkets
Large supermarkets have the scale and reserves that allow them to absorb
short-term drops in sales. The effect of a one-day boycott is
practically imperceptible in the context of the annual turnover of these
businesses. If customers stock up in advance, the financial hit is not
even felt, making the boycott even less effective as a means of change.
Historically, successful boycotts have been long-lasting
For example:
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
Duration: 381 days (December 5, 1955 to December 20, 1956)
For over a year, the African-American community in Montgomery refused to
ride buses and organized alternative modes of transportation. The
boycott ultimately ended with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared
segregation on buses illegal.
2. Boycott of British Goods in India (Early 20th Century)
Duration: Years (officially began in 1905 and continued until 1947)
One of the first major boycotts began in 1905 as part of the Swat
Movement against British rule. It continued in waves over the following
decades and played a role in India's independence in 1947.
3. Grape Boycott in the United States (1965-1970)
Duration: Almost 5 years
It began in 1965 as a strike by agricultural workers and grew into a
nationwide boycott supported by millions of Americans. In 1970, it led
to the signing of the first collective bargaining agreements for workers.
4. The Nestlé Boycott (1977-present)
Duration: Over 45 years (started in 1977 and continues today)
Although it peaked in the 1980s, this boycott continues today with
varying intensity. It led to stricter regulations on the marketing of
infant formula, but the company is still subject to criticism.
5. The Anti-Apartheid Boycott in South Africa (1960-1990)
Duration: About 30 years
The international boycott of the South African economy and sporting
events began in the 1960s and intensified in the 1980s. It led to severe
economic pressure on the country and ultimately to the end of apartheid
in 1994.
6. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama Bus Boycott (1953)
Duration: Several weeks
This boycott was shorter, but it laid the groundwork for larger
protests, such as the one in Montgomery.
7. The Holiday Inn and Hyatt Hotel Boycotts (1980s and 1990s)
Duration: Several years
These boycotts were part of long-term union campaigns to improve working
conditions in the hotel industry. They led to successful negotiations
and improvements for workers.
In conclusion
A one-day boycott of large supermarkets, especially when boycotters
stock up in advance, has been very limited in its impact. The symbolic
nature of the gesture does not compensate for the lack of long-term
strategy and coordination. To achieve real results, the protest needs to
be part of a long-term and well-thought-out campaign that puts
significant pressure on both the supermarkets and the responsible
institutions.
It is important to demonstrate our solidarity and readiness for mutual
assistance. The poorest segments of the population suffer from such
boycotts, who simply cannot afford to replace the super cheap, albeit
low-quality goods offered by large chains.
The creation of targeted mutual aid funds and cash desks can
significantly extend the duration of the protests. It is important to
demonstrate readiness and endurance for more serious protest actions.
And only then can we hope for success, and not just a media event and
another disappointment among the people from the powerlessness, against
the arrogance of the rich.
Fedman Kasad
https://www.anarchy.bg/
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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