A boycott of shops and gas stations has begun in Croatia today due to high prices, local media reports.
The shelves are full, the employees are at their places, but there are not enough buyers, the Croatian editorial office of the regional television channel En1 reports.
The initiative, launched by the Facebook group “Hello, Inspector“, is based on the consumer association ECIP. It was supported by consumer protection associations, trade unions, political parties and even the Minister of Economy himself, notes the publication Index.
The initiative began with the spread of the message "24.01 in Croatia there is a boycott against high food prices" on social networks.
People were urged not to buy anything on that day.
Unions, consumer associations, and even some politicians, both from the ruling and opposition parties, are urging citizens not to buy anything today. At the same time, traders and entrepreneurs are dissatisfied, and many of them, for today only, have announced price reductions, notes the Croatian national television HRT.
The association "Voice of Entrepreneurs" say that the state is leaving the fight against inflation to citizens and businessmen.
The stores of large retail chains and parking lots are almost empty this morning, Croatian media noted.
"For the first time in the history of the Republic of Croatia, consumers have organized themselves and want to send a strong message regarding price increases and inflation. They want their voices to be heard. We have shown that we can unite around one issue," Josip Kelemen, advisor to the consumer association ECIP, told HRT.
Earlier this month, Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar announced that by the end of January, Croatian authorities would expand the list of food products with price caps from 30 to 50 products, including bread, with the aim of protecting the most vulnerable citizens.
Inflation in Croatia accelerated in December to its highest level in eight months. The consumer price index rose 3.4 percent year-on-year in December, up from 2.8 percent in November.