Bangladesh needs smarter boycotts

Bangladesh has seen mixed results from the international boycott of businesses that support Israel's occupation. Other contentious foreign brands continue to operate here without encountering the same level of opposition, despite Coca-Cola reporting a notable 23 per cent drop in sales as a result of consumer protests. This discrepancy highlights the need for economic activism to take a more calculated approach. Coordinated boycotts have shown quantifiable success on a global scale. In Muslim majority countries, McDonald's saw its first quarterly sales decline since 2020, and Starbucks Malaysia saw a 38 per cent decline in revenue. These results demonstrate the power of coordinated consumer action under well-defined guidelines.

We have witnessed encouraging beginnings in Bangladesh. Shifting consumer preferences have benefited local brands like Mojo, showing how ethical consumption can help support homegrown companies. However, the lack of a cohesive plan restricts our influence and runs the risk of weakening the movement's impact.

Establishing precise standards for identifying complicit businesses, promoting institutional involvement from corporations and academic institutions, and sustaining public awareness are all necessary to bolster our economic resistance. By monitoring boycott impacts and promoting informed consumer choices, media outlets can play a vital role in strengthening economic activism. Bangladesh can encourage local business while converting moral solidarity into significant economic pressure with the right coordination. The time has come to establish a long-term model of ethical consumption rather than relying solely on intermittent protests.

Samira Ferdous,

Student, BBA

North South University, Dhaka