The Hello Inspectors platform has urged consumers in Croatia to abstain from shopping on Friday. Additionally, they called for a week-long boycott of the retail chains Lidl, Eurospin, and DM, as well as three specific products—Coca Cola and other fizzy drinks, bottled water, and dishwashing detergent—starting Thursday, according to Croatian media reports.

During a press conference, the platform’s advisor, Josip Kelemen, encouraged consumers to “avoid making any purchases” on Friday, which includes all types of stores, transactions with banks, telecommunications, and orders through delivery services.

Kelemen emphasized that the boycott should extend to limiting consumption in cafes, restaurants, travel, gas stations, and pharmacies.

“It’s crucial to communicate to those responsible for this price inflation. We intend to convey our message to the banks as well. Avoid banks and delivery services; they also contribute to rising prices,” Kelemen stated.

He also invited foreign workers and pensioners to participate in the boycott.

The Hello Inspectors platform is advocating for a complete boycott of the three retail chains, commencing Thursday morning and continuing until the evening of February 5th.

“We recommend a week-long boycott of Lidl, Eurospin, and DM. We urge consumers to refrain from visiting these stores from Thursday, the day before the boycott, through the following week,” Kelemen said. He noted that numerous consumer complaints about these chains were raised to the platform and that these chains were selected after a price comparison and analysis of complaints.

A week-long boycott of Coca-Cola, along with other carbonated drinks, water, and dishwashing detergent, is also proposed, starting Thursday. Significant price hikes have been reported for these items.

“This is not an assault on retail chains; we are notifying their management that the final prices are too high and unsustainable,” Kelemen remarked.

He also encouraged store employees to participate in the protests by slowing down their work.

“We are not against you, your positions, or incomes,” he clarified, while urging consumers to support small farmers.

The initial boycott of stores triggered by the continuous rise in food prices in Croatia occurred on Friday, December 24th.

Fueled by a social media initiative, many Croatians opted to shun stores, resulting in a reported 50 percent decrease in daily sales volume compared to the previous Friday, according to the country’s tax administration.

This boycott initiative was started by the Facebook group “Hello, Inspector,” with backing from the European Center for Consumer Excellence (ECIP), receiving support from consumer protection associations, unions, political parties, and some government ministers.

This consumer-driven campaign aimed to pressure retailers, who they hold responsible for rising inflation. Consumer advocacy groups have consistently pointed out that prices have been climbing ever since Croatia adopted the euro as its currency in January 2023.

As reported by official data, the average net salary in Croatia stood at 1,366 euros in November.

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