The continuous rise in retail prices in North Macedonia and the region is causing dissatisfaction among consumers, and academic and economics professor Abdulmenaf Bexheti believes they should join the initiative to boycott supermarkets and their chains.
“I do not expect the boycott to have a direct impact on price dynamics, but it can raise awareness of collective consumer action,” Bexheti told “Lokalno.”
He emphasized that institutions, regulators, and controllers lack effective mechanisms to deal with price pressures, which is why citizens need to take the initiative.
“The Law on Unfair Trade Practices does not establish order in the sector. Doubts remain as to whether the boycott will have a substantial impact, given consumer culture and tolerance among citizens. However, the action can serve to raise public awareness of an issue that affects everyone, regardless of ethnic, religious, or cultural differences,” Bexheti said.
He assessed that the recent opposition proposal to abolish the 5% VAT on basic food products will not help stabilize prices.
“This is not a solution because market traders will quickly absorb this measure. Lowering VAT may just be a populist move, even for those who introduced a differentiated rate of 10% for some products,” Bexheti stated.
According to him, political entities that could take concrete steps, such as the Left party, are not showing interest because, as he says, “nationalist topics bring greater political capital.” As for the other opposition parties, he believes they lack the credibility to propose stricter measures.
“In a capitalist economy, prices are regulated according to supply and demand, but when operators are greedy and insatiable with normal profits, institutions must react. Large retail chains possess a natural monopoly that is often abused,” he added.
Bexheti warned about the phenomenon of “Greedflation” – a practice where supermarkets use inflation as an excuse to increase margins, often through hidden operational costs. According to him, inspection authorities lack the capacity to detect these practices.
Meanwhile, calls for a supermarket boycott on Friday are spreading on social media as a way to pressure traders. Promotional flyers have also appeared with messages like “Boycott the supermarkets” and “No one should buy.”
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that he “understands the citizens’ action” and added that inspection services are monitoring the situation. He informed that extraordinary controls have begun in two major retail chains due to suspicions of legal violations.
The SDSM party called on the government to implement measures to protect citizens and stated that the boycott also represents a rebellion against the government.
Economists say that Macedonia should follow the example of neighboring countries but emphasize that discontent should not be directed only at supermarkets but also at political structures.
In Croatia, a similar boycott began last week, while on January 31, similar actions are announced in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.