On March 7, People’s Union USA kicked off a week-long boycott of Amazon. This move follows a previous 24-hour economic boycott on February 28. The group’s founder, John Schwarz, emphasized that this isn’t just a simple boycott; he refers to it as a “calculated strike.” Their goal? To highlight Amazon’s impact on small businesses, worker treatment, and its massive profits.
Schwarz mentioned that even a small drop in sales would count as a win for the movement. He encourages supporters to shop at local businesses instead of turning to huge retail platforms. The previous boycott saw a surge of support from celebrities like John Leguizamo and Bette Midler, who shared the message across social media.
People’s Union USA is not aligned with any political party. They describe themselves as a grassroots movement focused on reclaiming control over the economy and the future of the country.
The boycott aims to steer consumers away from all Amazon-owned services. This includes not just purchasing on Amazon but also avoiding Whole Foods, Prime Video, and other Amazon brands like Zappos and Audible. For devoted Amazon users, this means cutting ties with devices like Alexa and refraining from enjoying content from platforms like Twitch and IMDb.
Despite the grassroots effort, Amazon continues to thrive. In 2024, the company reported net sales of $638 billion, which is an 11% increase from 2023. Schwarz has a substantial following, but Amazon’s reach is far greater, with millions of customers worldwide.
In a previous 24-hour boycott, sales at Amazon actually rose by 1%. Research analyst Andrew Waber noted that with Amazon averaging over $1 billion in sales daily, short-term disruptions are unlikely to have a lasting effect on their bottom line. The group plans to keep monitoring sales data through the ongoing boycott to see if results differ this time.
This Amazon boycott is just the first in a series. People’s Union USA has announced upcoming boycotts targeting other large companies:
- Nestle (March 21-28)
- Walmart (April 7-13)
- A broader economic boycott over the weekend of April 18
- General Mills (April 21-27)
Activism is not limited to these boycotts. Pastor Jamal Bryant from Atlanta is launching a 40-day “fast” against Target to protest the retailer’s shift away from diversity and inclusion practices.
Boycotts serve as powerful tools for consumers to voice their concerns and shift their spending habits towards companies that align with their values. While the immediate impact on Amazon’s sales appears minimal, these movements generate important discussions and encourage consumers to think about where their money goes.
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