National Boycott Targets Corporations

By Nicholas Pantaleoni

Reporting Texas

While companies continue to announce record profits, consumers across the country are feeling the strain of rising prices. As layoffs increase and prices soar, a growing movement calls for action. Consumers make efforts to boycott corporations like Amazon, Walmart and Target. 

Target,  announced a staggering $25.7 billion  profit in 2024, setting a new record for the company. Retailers like Walmart and Amazon  made billions in revenue following recent layoffs. For many, this stark contrast is difficult to ignore. 

“If companies are taking advantage of people, they should have to pay a price,” said Matt Silvers, the owner of AGIII Advisory services. “Part of the problem is that our economy is so focused on people buying things.”

While the origin of the boycott is unknown, a group called The People’s Union has gained traction through social media, rallying support for the protest. The group uses Instagram as their primary platform and calls for a nationwide boycott, with plans for several “blackout” protests within the next few months. 

The first of these boycotts took place  Feb. 28. The next one, targeting Amazon, will take place from March 7 to 14. Additional blackouts throughout March and April are  highlighted on their social media.

UT student Rafael Uresti believes that a large-scale boycott  sends a message to corporations. “If the boycott is big enough then yeah it would send a message and then hopefully they can lower the prices … and hopefully they can lower prices,” he said. 

Not everyone shared his optimism. 

Ian York, who doesn’t plan to participate, is convinced the boycott will be ineffective, “I can’t say that I will honestly participate in it. I can’t lie about that …  I feel like the only way you can really control stuff is through politics and political action, but there is only so much you can do with that too.” 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an American household that earns $94,000 a year spends nearly 25% of their income on consumer products. Most spent on  groceries and entertainment—amounting to $8,5000 dollars a year. 

“It’s ingrained in our society. People like it. It’s like hollow calories,” said Silvers, “People just buy stuff up, and it’s a disposable economy.” 

Boycotts are historically the start of social change. They are a tactic to hold companies accountable for their actions. However, a company’s bottom line won’t be affected unless shoppers  follow through. Uniting millions of Americans each with views and concerns is a feat. With the People’s Union goal of 1 million participants there are still major concerns ahead.

“Even if they get 2 million people and it’s a $100 million of non-purchases in one day it’s just not going to make a difference,” said Silvers, “… not even going to be a rounding error to them. They’re not going to feel it, they’re not going to care.”

Data from SimilarWeb shows, a market analytics firm, shows that foot traffic from Amazon, Target and Walmart’s is down by around 6%,though slaes remain steady. This suggests the boycott had minimal impact.

Change could be on the horizon. A recent poll by AXIOS found that 45% of democrats and 34% of republicans  consider not shopping at companies that share political views that contradict their own. This shift in consumer behavior indicates the start of long-term changes in the way companies operate. 

While the effectiveness of this boycott is unclear, its sentiment resonates with many Americans. Even those who don’t plan on participating, 

“While I’m personally not so passionate to participate,” said Ian York, “I do agree with it, and that regardless, showing your opinion and doing something like this is part of society.”