Affordability Woes Keep Canadians from Participating in Loblaw Boycott

Canadians Grapple with Participation in Loblaw Boycott Amid Rising Food Prices

As frustrated Canadians nationwide band together to boycott Loblaw-owned stores throughout May in protest of escalating food costs, many find themselves unable to partake.

The grassroots movement, spearheaded by the Reddit community “Loblaws Is Out of Control,” commenced at the start of May, denouncing the exorbitant prices of groceries observed in Loblaw outlets. On the forum, numerous individuals from diverse regions voice their discontent with the company’s dubious discount practices and employment of shrinkflation tactics.

However, a recent Reddit thread querying participation in the boycott has prompted despair among Canadians grappling with the dilemma of navigating expensive groceries across various retailers.

Despite their sympathy for the boycott’s cause, numerous users on the forum lament their inability to participate due to the essential need to sustain themselves with food.

Acknowledging this barrier to widespread participation, the boycott organizers have offered an alternative avenue for expressing solidarity.

The group has furnished several templates enabling Canadians to voice their discontent over prices through emails to Loblaw’s customer support or letters to their elected representatives.

Furthermore, the movement advocates for participation in “Local Grocer Day!” on May 12, an initiative aimed at spotlighting small businesses in communities. To assist those uncertain about where to shop if abstaining from Loblaw-owned stores, a website has been established showcasing local grocery options nationwide.

While the boycott calls for a 15% reduction in prices and the elimination of “member-only pricing” at Loblaw, its overarching objective is to shed light on the affordability challenges faced by many Canadians. Emily Johnson, the creator of the “Loblaws Is Out of Control subreddit,” emphasized this broader mission, stating, “The biggest goal outside of ‘hey, don’t charge us exorbitant prices’ is that the consumers really do have the power, we do want to be taken seriously… we don’t want to tolerate monopolies in Canada anymore,” in an interview with Daily Hive in March.