Revolt in this EU country: boycott of supermarkets against ‘abusive’ prices

The cost of living in this European country is reaching new maximums, and consumers have decided to act. The price of food has shot over the past two years, leading to a wave of protests that culminated in a national boycott of the largest supermarkets in the country. When in Portugal? Learn more in this article.

Brutal increase in food prices

According to the Statistics Sweden government agency, a family’s annual food cost in Sweden increased up to 30,000 Swedish crowns (about 2,700 euros). Prices for basic products, such as coffee, have risen more than 25% since the beginning of last year. A coffee package should soon exceed the symbolic brand of the 100 Swedish crowns (about 9.13 euros).

This increase in food prices is the largest recorded in two years. The climb fired the discontent of consumers, who accuse supermarkets and major producers to take advantage of the situation to increase profits. Protests quickly spread throughout social networks, becoming a national movement.

The boycott that stopped the supermarkets

The boycott, called “Bojkotta Vecka 12” (boycott 12), began last Monday and was summoned to last seven days. Through calls on social networks like Tiktok and Instagram, thousands of Swedes have decided to stop shopping on big chains like Lidl, Hemköp, ICA, Coop and Willys.

Protesters accuse the great chains to form a “oligopoly”, where the lack of competition allows prices to rise uncontrollably. “We have nothing to lose, but everything to earn,” read in several boycott support posts. Consumers believe that distribution giants are profiting millions at the expense of the difficulties of Swedish families.

Filippa Lind, one of the movement’s prominent figures, explained that boycott is also a gesture of solidarity with those who are being most affected by inflation. “Prices are irrationally high and the government needs to act to lock this oligopoly,” Lind said.

We recommend:

Basic products affected by severe increases

According to the price monitoring site, chocolate prices rose 9.2% only in the last month. Dairy dairy also recorded significant increases: cheese was 6.4% more expensive and milk and cream increased 5.4%.

These increases are having a direct impact on the budgets of Swedish families, who have to make difficult choices to balance monthly expenses. Rising essential food prices is becoming unsustainable for many middle and low class families.

Hemköp spokesman Jenny Pedersén tried to justify the climb of prices with external factors. “There are many elements to affect food prices, such as war, geopolitical tensions, raw material prices, processing costs and even climatic conditions and harvests,” Pedersén said.

A trend that spreads through Europe

The cost of living crisis is not an exclusive problem of Sweden. In recent weeks, similar protests have recorded in other parts of Europe. In February, consumers at Bulgaria boycotted large supermarket chains, leading to a nearly 30% drop in the billing of these companies.

In January, a boycott in Croatia quickly spread to neighboring countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Inflation in food prices is becoming a common problem throughout Europe, forcing consumers to adopt drastic measures.

The Swedish movement has gained strength due to the direct impact on consumer pockets and the feeling that distribution giants are exploring the situation to increase their profits. Protest leaders now require government concrete measures to control prices and increase competition in the food sector.

Filippa Lind stressed that the goal of boycott is to force politicians to intervene. “If the government does not act, prices will continue to rise and families will continue to suffer,” he warned. Malmö student believes that boycott may be the beginning of a deeper change in Swedish economic policy.

Impact of the boycott

For now, the direct impact of the boycott has not yet quantified. However, the massive mobilization of consumers is generating a national debate on the role of large distribution chains in the cost of living crisis.

Analysts believe that boycott can lead to a revision of price policies and reinforcement of market regulation. However, supermarkets continue to point out external causes to justify price increase.

What does the government say?

While the Swedish government maintains silence on the subject, the consumer movement continues to grow. The success of boycott can serve as an example for other European countries facing similar problems.

Swedes have shown that they are willing to fight abusive prices. It now remains to be seen whether the supermarkets and the Swedish government will hear this cry of revolt.

Also read: