A growing boycott targeting Loblaw is gaining traction online, with thousands of shoppers planning to take their business elsewhere in May. The boycott is fueled by Canadians’ frustration with major grocers over rising food prices and profits. Organized by Emily Johnson and others through a Reddit group, the boycott aims to have a financial impact on Loblaw, the largest Canadian grocer. The group has outlined demands for Loblaw, including signing a grocery code of conduct and committing to affordable pricing. While it’s uncertain how many will participate in the boycott, the group’s online presence suggests a strong potential for significant impact.
Rahul Mehta, a Mississauga resident and community advocate, is already cutting back on shopping at Loblaw-owned stores and plans to fully boycott the company in May. He hopes the boycott encourages consumers to support local, independent stores instead of simply shifting to other large grocers. Monica LaBarge, an assistant professor at Queen’s University, notes that consumers in smaller communities often feel powerless due to limited choices. While it’s unlikely Loblaw will drastically change its business model in response to the boycott, recent public outcry did prompt the grocer to reverse a controversial decision regarding discounts on products nearing their best-before dates.
Loblaw president and CEO Per Bank acknowledges that the company is listening to customers as they adapt to rising inflation by seeking out sales, buying more private-label products, and shopping at discount stores. The grocer plans to respond to changing consumer behaviors through new promotions and expanding discount offerings. Bank emphasizes the importance of providing value to keep customers returning, noting that customer complaints are taken personally and addressed promptly. While the immediate impact of the boycott on Loblaw may be minimal, its long-term effects could be significant if enough consumers change their shopping habits over time.
Some participants in the boycott, like Willi Fleerakkers, were once loyal Loblaw customers but have now shifted their shopping habits to local stores. Others, like Ann de Sequeira, have already begun boycotting Loblaw and other major grocers due to recent policy changes. De Sequeira notes that consumer actions, such as the boycott, can prompt companies to make changes in response to public outcry. Bank admits that Loblaw’s reputation has been tarnished in recent times and the company is working to rebuild it. However, he also acknowledges that grocers like Loblaw are easier targets for consumer backlash than other players in the supply chain or global factors affecting food prices.
While some consumers are uncertain about the effectiveness of the boycott, others feel it may be challenging to completely boycott Loblaw-owned stores, especially in areas where alternative options are limited. Halifax resident Tempa Hull notes that many people don’t have the resources to fully participate in the boycott, but she and her husband plan to reduce their shopping at Loblaw as a partial protest. Hull believes the boycott highlights the hold that major grocers like Loblaw have on consumers and emphasizes the need for government intervention to address systemic issues in the food industry and protect consumer interests.
