Croatia’s high food price boycott – new tactics suggested
- by croatiaweek
- in News

(Illustration)
Croatia is gearing up for a national boycott on 24 January, aiming to protest skyrocketing food prices.
While the grassroots movement has gained traction, urging citizens to refrain from shopping altogether for one day, some argue that this approach may have limited impact.
With many likely to stock up on essentials the day before, retailers could simply shift their profits to surrounding days, reducing the boycott’s effectiveness and putting extra stress on staff working he cashiers.
After publishing this article earlier today about the planned boycott, debate was sparked with many people suggesting alternative strategies are considered that might be more effective.
Below are three of the most common ideas mentioned:
1. Focus on specific supermarket chains
Instead of a blanket boycott, which will likely have little effect, targeting one or two major supermarket chains could exert more direct pressure.
For example, if a significant percentage of shoppers avoided a particular retailer for an extended period, that chain would experience noticeable financial strain.
This focused approach could push the targeted company to lower prices or advocate for broader industry changes.
2. Selective Product Boycotts
Consumers could refuse to purchase certain high-margin items that contribute significantly to retailers’ profits, such as branded snacks, alcohol, or prepared foods.
By consistently avoiding these products, shoppers send a message to retailers while continuing to buy necessities elsewhere.
This method avoids the inconvenience of total abstention while still applying pressure.
3. Long-Term Purchasing Shifts
A one-day boycott is symbolic, but long-term behavioural changes can have a greater impact.
Encouraging people to permanently shift a portion of their shopping to farmers’ markets or stores with more reasonable pricing could reduce reliance on large retailers.
Over time, this could push larger chains to reevaluate their pricing strategies.
While the planned one-day boycott on 24 January is a strong symbolic gesture, its long-term impact may be limited without complementary strategies.