Why some boycott big retailers Friday – NBC Chicago

A basic organization called The People's Union USA encourages the US residents not to spend any money on Friday, which many describe as a “economic power failure” to protest what the founder of the group sees as a malignant influence of billionaires, large companies and two major political parties in the lives of working Americans.

“February 28th is a symbolic start of economic resistance,” said a post from the USA United States. “A day and politicians show that we control the economy. The date itself is not bound to a historical event, it is the beginning of something bigger. The first domino that will trigger a chain of action until people get what they deserve.”

The day is also a reaction to some large companies, such as Target, who have thrown diversity, equity and inclusion programs back after President Donald Trump signed the orders to shorten these guidelines. The retailer, who supported the DEI efforts to raise black and LGBTQ+ person in the past, announced in January that he was rolling back his DEI initiatives.

A Labor Advocacy group called WE are someone under the direction of Nina Turner started a boycott of Target on February 1 to collapse with the Black History Month.

In the meantime, the pastor of Atlanta, Rev. Jamal Bryant, organized a website called TargetTfast.org to recruit Christians for a 40-day target boycott from AA from March 5. Other faith leaders have approved the protest.

Who is behind the economic current of '24 hours? '

The People's Union USA, which recognizes the initiation of the day without rating, was founded by John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago region.

The organization's website does not say that it is not bound to a political party, but stands for everyone. Inquiries for a comment to the group address of the group this week no answer was received.

The planned power failure is scheduled to run on Friday from 12 noon to 11:59 p.m. The activist group advised the customer to do without making purchases, be it in business or online, especially not from large retailers or chains. It wants the participants to avoid fast food and fill their cars, and says that buyers with emergencies or necessity of essentials support a local small company and try not to use a credit or debit card.

“Obviously, many people are angry about what is going on in Washington, ”brayden King, professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Boykotte and activism, told today. “You don't feel like you are expressing yourself, or if you do it, you are not sure whether you are heard.”

“If activists want real changes, they have to concentrate on certain goals and have clear concessions they ask for,” said King. “Too many goals dilute attention and make tactics less effective.”

Which shops are boycotted?

The Boycott Organizer website lists a simple rule: “Do not spend any money on the specified days.” This includes “no online shopping, no fast food, no gas”.

If purchases have to be made, they should only be carried out at local companies, the website says.

The People's Union USA has also planned other initiatives for the coming weeks, according to its website, including additional “economic power failures”, whereby the efforts are aimed at certain shops or brands, including the following:

• Amazon, Whole Foods, Prime (7th to 14th March)
• Nestlé (March 21st to 28th)
• Economic Schwarzlout No. 2 (March 28th)
• Walmart (April 7th to 13th)
• Economic Schwarzlout #3 (April 18)
• General Mills (April 21 to 27)

Will the “economic power failure” have an impact?

Anna Tuchman, a marketing professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, said that the economic power failure will probably do daily retail sales but will not be sustainable.

“I think this is an opportunity for consumers to show that they have a voice in a single day,” she said. “I think it is unlikely that we will see a long -term sustainable decrease in economic activity, which is supported by this boycott.”

Other boycotts have achieved different results.

In the spring and summer quarter of 2023, Target recorded a decline in sales, which the discounter was partially attributed to the recovery of the customers compared to a collection in which LGBTQ+ Communities for Pride Month was awarded LGBTQ+ storms. As a result, Target did not wear pride goods in all shops the following year.

Tuchman examined the effects of a boycott against Goya Food in the summer of 2020 after the CEO of the Trump company had praised. In its study, based on the sales of the research company, the brand provided an increase in Goya's first buyers, who rose disproportionately from heavily republican areas.

However, the increase in income proved to be temporary; Goya had no demonstrable increase in sales after three weeks, said Tuchman.

It was another story for Bud Light that spent decades as the best -selling beer of America. The turnover fell in 2023 after the brand sent a memorial socket to a transgender influencer. According to alcohol consulting Company Bump Williams, Bud Light's sales have not yet completely recovered.

Tuchman is of the opinion that there is a reason that there were many other beers that the most conservative customer base of the brand could buy to replace Bud Light.

Afya Evans, a political and pictorial consultant in Atlanta, said she would make a shopping feature on Friday, but focus on small companies and brands in black ownership.

Evans is aware of other boycotts, but she said she liked it because she believes that this could have an impact on sales.

“It's a broader thing,” she said. “We want to see what the influence is. Let everyone participate. And plan from there. “