A new consumer action is asking shoppers to stop buying from Amazon or its subsidiaries for the next week. The proposed boycott, called by People’s Union USA, aims to highlight concerns over Amazon’s impact on small businesses, worker treatment, and record profits.
The group’s founder, John Schwarz, describes the boycott as a “calculated strike,” which he believes will have an effect even if sales don’t drop significantly. Amazon’s extensive reach and subsidiaries, including Prime Video, Whole Foods, Zappos, Twitch, Alexa, Audible, Ring, and IMDb, make it a challenging target.
However, the impact of previous boycotts suggests that consumers can influence the company’s behavior. A 24-hour economic boycott on February 28 showed Amazon sales were up 1% compared to average sales from prior Fridays. The effectiveness of this week-long boycott remains to be seen.
Other companies targeted by upcoming boycotts include Nestle, General Mills, and Walmart. These efforts demonstrate consumers’ ability to call attention to their concerns through economic actions. As the boycotts continue, they will likely generate significant social media discussion and encourage consumers to consider where they want their money to go.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/amazon-boycott-is-a-calculated-strike-but-will-the-retail-giant-feel-it