In a move echoing recent consumer activism across Europe, Romania has seen a call to boycott supermarkets in response to soaring prices. Inspired by similar protests in Croatia, the initiative aims to pressure retailers to support local producers and curb inflation.
However, the approach has sparked debate among policymakers and economists.
The boycott movement gained momentum after Călin Georgescu, a prominent figure in Romanian politics, urged consumers to avoid shopping at major supermarket chains from February 10 to 16. Georgescu argued that these retailers do not adequately support domestic producers and have introduced self-checkout systems that reduce employment opportunities.
Besides, Georgescu stated that foreign companies report zero profit annually to pay no taxes in Romania, as they simply repatriate the profit to their countries of origin.
Surprisingly, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed empathy with the sentiment behind the boycott but cautioned against its implementation. In a video posted on TikTok, Ciolacu stated his agreement with concerns over rising prices but emphasized that boycotting supermarkets would inadvertently harm Romanian producers who rely heavily on these retail chains for distribution.
Ciolacu proposed an alternative solution: modifying legislation to regulate commercial markups across the supply chain. This approach aims to address price increases without jeopardizing local businesses or jobs.
Economists warn that widespread boycotting could have unintended consequences for both consumers and domestic suppliers. With about 70% of supermarket products sourced from Romanian suppliers, according to Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu, any disruption could lead to financial instability for these businesses.
Counter-Reactions
A counter-boycott emerged on social media platforms as some Romanians rallied against what they saw as an economically risky strategy. They encouraged fellow citizens to shop at supermarkets during the designated period as a show of support for retail jobs and local suppliers.
Carrefour Romania responded by launching a price reduction campaign offering 5% and 25% discounts on over 1,500 products until March 31. This move is seen as an attempt to mitigate potential losses during the boycott period while appealing directly to consumers concerned about rising costs.
As Romania navigates this complex economic landscape amidst broader European trends of consumer activism against inflationary pressures, it remains clear that finding sustainable solutions will require careful consideration of all stakeholders involved—consumers, producers, and retailers alike.
Whether through legislative reforms or market-driven initiatives like targeted discounts or promotions supporting local goods without alienating multinational partners—Romania’s path forward will be shaped by how effectively it balances competing interests while addressing core concerns around affordability and economic stability.
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