Croatian Stores Boycott Results in Reduced Sales

The news in Croatian

Translation

In Croatia, there was a widespread boycott of shops and petrol stations due to high prices. This was organised by "Hello, Inspector", with the support of various groups. Sales and the number of transactions decreased. Some believe that the boycott is not a long-term solution, but others see it as an important message. The government plans to introduce new measures to address the problem.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who organized the boycott in Croatia?

The boycott was organized by 'Halo, inspektore' with support from various groups.

Question 2: What effect did the boycott have on sales and receipts?

The boycott resulted in reduced sales and fewer receipts.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌25/01/2025

A nationwide boycott of stores and petrol stations in Croatia resulted in a significant decline in sales figures, as evidenced by data released by the Croatian Tax Administration. The action, initiated by the consumer platform "Halo, inspektore", was a protest against escalating prices, with participation backed by consumer protection groups, trade unions, political parties, and even the Minister of Economy.

The number of fiscalised receipts in the retail sector, excluding motor vehicle and motorcycle trade, saw a notable decrease. Specifically, on Friday, 24 January 2025, between midnight and 11 a.m., there were 665,971 receipts registered, amounting to a total of €7,558,147.15. This was 40% less in terms of receipts and 47% less in value compared to the same period on the previous Friday, 17 January 2025, which recorded 1,102,213 receipts worth €14,398,171.48.

In a broader context covering all activities, the total number of fiscalised receipts fell by 28%, with the amount dropping by 29%. The data clearly highlight the substantial impact of the boycott day, which halved regular sales activities compared to a typical Friday.

Croatian Stores Boycott Results in Reduced Sales (Illustration)

The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) expressed scepticism regarding the long-term effectiveness of the boycott, considering it merely a short-lived measure without systemic economic changes. They advocate instead for targeted social measures to aid the most vulnerable and argue that sudden shifts like boycotts could harm smaller retailers, potentially reducing market competitiveness.

HUP emphasised that the causes of rising food prices are multifaceted, driven by increased supplier costs, higher earnings, and Croatia's high VAT rates, among other factors. The association noted Croatia's substantial foreign trade deficit in food products, which exacerbates its vulnerability to rising import prices.

Supporters of the boycott, however, view it as a powerful expression of consumer solidarity and a call for attention to economic injustices. The day saw visibly empty shopping centres and significant reductions in usual traffic, as noted by anomalies recorded on platforms like Google Maps.

Participants hope the boycott will encourage both government and retailers to reconsider current practices, spurring potential legislative adjustments to curb price increases. The government has acknowledged the protest and indicates future measures may be implemented, suggesting detailed strategies could follow to address the economic concerns that underpin such consumer actions.

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