How much effect could a one -day economic boycott of February 28th have?

For what is usually a payday for many Americans, millions are asked to spend a cent as part of a nationwide boycott against large companies and banks.

The “Business Stromout” organized by the impartial grass root organization The People Union USA encouraged American buyers to keep their wallets closed on February 28 for 24 hours.

The organization's website states that the buying boycott shows important companies and banks “who really have power”.

“If we only disturb the economy for one day, it sends a powerful message,” says the website.

The participants are asked to shop online or in shops, be it for food or gas. They made an exception for essential expenses and small companies.

The movement gained some traction.

“I have already locked up my cards. I don't spend any money at all,” said Brooklyn Kimmel, student at Clark Atalanta University.

“We know that the cycle is that they get their money from people like us who give them the opportunity to use our dollars,” said activist Rio Anton. “Take it back.”

Related history | The basic movement demands economic boycott to protest the influence of the company

Marshal Cohen, chief declaration of dealing with Circana, a market for market research and technology companies, said that national boycotts have some effects.

“They make more noise than a downturn in retail results. But if you are localized or if you are very specific for a retailer, you sometimes have a little influence, ”Cohen told Scripps News.

But he added that unique boycotts such as the economic power failure may not have a major economic impact on his own.

“If you have a number of these or you have to hold for a while, as we saw in some other boycotts in which people stop buying the brand for a month, it really hurts,” said Cohen.

John Schwarz, founder of the People's Union USA, said in a video on Instagram that he noticed that people were still shopping on Friday morning, but found that the parking lot of his local Walmart was more lively than usual.

“Not everyone will be on board, but my Walmart is definitely much calmer this morning.”

Schwarz said in another video that he did not expect this boycott to have a big influence on the economy.

“Will the economy really influence it? Probably not. And we know that, ”says Schwarz, before we outline the goals of the boycott.

“It's about giving us the opportunity to unite. So many people say that they want to participate in something. Well, this is the easiest way to ever have to do it. You don't have to do anything. You don't have to go anywhere. And don't spend any money. “

Cohen said that in retail Boykotte like The Economic Blackout is “more about attracting attention than it is ultimately about meeting the retailer or the brand in the pocket”.

The folk union USA called the boycott on Friday the “first domino” in a chain of actions. The group planned more boycotts in March and April, including one -week boycotts on Amazon, Nestle, Walmart and General Mills. Schwarz said he thinks that companies will “feel the financial burden of our resistance”.