Bulgarian consumers have launched a large-scale boycott of major retail chains, protesting against soaring food prices. The movement has significantly impacted sales, with affected supermarkets experiencing an almost 30% decline.
Consumer Dissatisfaction and Demands
Shoppers across the country are demanding fair pricing, accusing large grocery chains of manipulating costs through selective discounts while maintaining high markups on essential items.
“I hope this boycott brings change. These big supermarkets use aggressive pricing strategiesâoffering deep discounts on a few products while inflating prices on many others,” said Ivet Tabakova, a local grocery store owner.
Positive Impact on Small Businesses
While large retailers face declining sales, small grocery stores have seen an increase in business. “People are buying more essentials like sugar, flour, yogurt, and cooking oil from us,” noted Ivayla Ivanova, another small shop owner.
Call for Government Intervention
Boycott organizers are urging supermarkets to cap their profit margins on food at 30% and are pushing for a price regulation law. A second boycott is planned for February 27 if no action is taken.
Government Response
Authorities have begun implementing price controls and investigating potential consumer deception. “We are monitoring transparency in pricing and ensuring that unfair promotions do not mislead consumers,” said Ignat Asenov, head of the Consumer Protection Commission.
The boycott in Bulgaria follows similar consumer-led protests across the Balkans, including in Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Greece. The growing movement highlights rising concerns over food inflation across the European Union.
