The consumer strike calls for a Wednesday without major supermarkets

The organising groups are calling for people to shop at neighbourhood stores every Wednesday and to stop all shopping on 11 November.

Since 2019, the average cost of a shopping basket has risen by 40%, according to INE data cited by the organisations. They contrast this increase with a 21.9% rise in salaries.

The Confederación de Sindicatos de Inquilinas has called the protest together with Facua. Justícia Alimentària is also taking part. The first day of action will be this Wednesday, 28 October: the proposal is to avoid large supermarkets and instead shop at municipal markets, neighbourhood stores, cooperatives, or directly from producers.

On 11 November, they are calling for a day without shopping.

The call coincides with the general strike on 11 November. On that day, the groups are asking people not to make any purchases, either in person or online.

The organisers are inviting workers from large chains and small businesses to join the stoppage. They explain that the protest aims to put pressure on major distributors, and that shops and employees are not the target of the action.

A strike for those who cannot stop work

The groups describe the consumer strike as a way for people who cannot take part in a work strike to participate: precarious workers, the self-employed, unemployed people, pensioners, students, and carers. Their spokesperson, Aldo Reverte from the Confederació de Sindicats de Llogateres, argues that rent and food costs are squeezing incomes, while some companies are posting record profits.

Javier Guzmán, director of Justícia Alimentària, argues that price reductions should come from the profits of large distributors, not from those who produce the food.

Rubén Sánchez, general secretary of Facua, calls for transparency about how much is paid at the farm and how much is kept by large distributors. He also proposes setting limits on the profit margins of major chains.