Consumers across the southeastern part of Europe have reached their breaking point: rightfully so. The soaring prices in retail stores are putting a strain on their budgets for everyday essentials. In response, they’ve decided to stop shopping altogether. Retail boycotts have emerged across the Southeast Europe region, stretching from Croatia to Bulgaria. But the real question remains: did, and are these retail boycotts leading to any meaningful change?
The Retail Boycotts and Their Impact
The food and consumer goods market in the European Union is largely controlled by major supermarket chains and retailers. As customers cope with rising prices, local farmers face challenges in securing prices that meet production costs, especially with the competition from imports and the influence of large retailers. Retail boycotts are highlighting these issues and demanding fairer prices.
Living costs in the EU are on the rise, as monthly salaries cannot keep up with rising prices. According to Eurostat’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the average food price across the EU reached 145.2 points as of December 2024, based on a baseline of 100 in 2015. In Romania, the annual inflation rate peaked at 5.4%, followed by Belgium at 4.8% and Croatia at 4.0%.
Croatia: Where It All Started
In January, Croatia experienced the highest inflation rate in the eurozone, with consumer prices increasing by 5% compared to the previous year. This surge in costs has sparked growing discontent that has led to a widespread retail boycott across the Balkans. What started as a one-day boycott on January 24 in Croatia has now extended to neighboring countries. Shoppers in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and, most recently, Kosovo have already joined in to protest against escalating food and household expenses. It all started with a Croatian group on Facebook called “Hey, Inspector” (“Halo, Inspektore” in Croatian). This movement gained significant traction with the first boycott occurring on Friday, January 24, receiving widespread support. The response of Croatians led to a significant drop in retail turnover and revenue that day. On Friday, January 24, 2025, from midnight to 4 PM, the data shows a 43% drop in the number of invoices compared to Friday, January 17, 2025, during the same timeframe. Additionally, the total value of these invoices was down by 50%. The group is now planning on making Fridays a regular retail boycott day.
Many shops across Croatia were almost empty on January 24 as shoppers responded to the boycott call.
Photo credits: Damir SENCAR / AFP
Greece: Going the Extra Mile
On February 19, a special kind of boycott was set to take place in Greece, spearheaded by INKA, the General Federation of Consumers of Greece. The aim was for citizens to refrain from spending any money on that day. This includes avoiding payments to banks and public services, as well as bills for water, electricity, and phone services. Participants were also urged to abstain from spending in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and commercial stores, along with any purchases of electrical and electronic goods and other financial transactions. The INKA federation reported that the boycott was a success and promised that more boycotts are coming.
Kosovo: More Than Just a Boycott
The boycott in Kosovo is a reaction to the rapid and unreasonable increase in the prices of food and basic products, which have become unaffordable for many Albanians living in Kosovo. “KOSOVO BOYCOTTS” (“KOSOVA BOJKOTON” in Albanian) is a Facebook group, created on the first of February, that has gathered around three thousand citizens so far. In the group, various photos of the high prices of food products have been distributed, and there are also price comparisons where prices in Kosovo are more expensive than in European countries. Prices of products in Kosovo are usually similar to those in Germany and Poland, even though salaries are lower in Kosovo. For instance, a liter of milk costs around 1.35 euros in Kosovo, compared to 0.97 euros in Portugal, 1.14 euros in Germany, and 1.17 euros in Belgium. The reason for boycotting stems from deeper issues. Perhaps the most worrying aspect is that even some locally produced Kosovo products are more expensive at home than they are abroad. Recently, photos circulating in the Facebook group highlighted this issue with a striking example: a popular type of Kosovo-produced coffee. Incredibly, the same amount of coffee is priced at CHF 5.95 (€6.32) in Switzerland, €2.95 in Austria, but a whopping €7.99 in Kosovo. This raises important questions about pricing and consumer value in Kosovo’s market.
North Macedonia: A Successful Case Study
On January 31, North Macedonia joined the widespread boycott. The country has been facing similar challenges with rising prices. In an attempt to address this, the government introduced a “New Year’s basket” initiative, which allowed retailers to voluntarily lower their prices. However, many felt this effort fell short, especially with reports indicating that some retailers increased prices before reducing them. This effort aimed to help citizens manage their expenses during the holiday season. However, it’s important to note that this was not backed by an official government decision, so the State Market Inspectorate was only responsible for ensuring that prices remained compliant. The Directorate of Public Revenue in North Macedonia has announced that on January 31, as a result of citizens’ retail boycott due to price increases, the decline in total turnover fell by almost half compared to the previous Friday. According to the data, the decline was over 46 percent.
Serbia: Boycotting More Than Just Supermarkets
A boycott began in Serbia on 31 January, marked by its distinctive context of student protests that had been taking place since November 2024. These protests were ignited by the tragic collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024. The Consumer Protection Association Efektiva has called on citizens to boycott grocery shopping in five large retail chains in Serbia. Efektiva reported that the one-day retail boycott was successful, evidenced by a 21.5% reduction in issued receipts and a 37% decline in turnover.
To Wrap It Up
The boycotts are more than just a tactic; it’s a powerful call for change. Citizens across Southeast Europe are rising up, insisting that their authorities address inflation, increase minimum wages, and improve living conditions. Despite government efforts, the people are no longer satisfied with half-hearted solutions.
As the retail boycotts gain momentum throughout the region, it’s evident that a collective awakening is taking place. Individuals are coming together, using their consumer power to push for action from their governments. For many, this isn’t just a fleeting moment of dissatisfaction; it’s a movement for economic justice. While the future may be uncertain, one thing stands firm: the voices of the people will be heard. They are advocating for a future where everyone has access to basic necessities and a decent standard of living. This fight is theirs to win.
Featured image: FENA/Tijana Grujic
Show Comments