In the middle of the boycott of large food chains, one of Sweden’s largest grocery chains is responding. “What really is a food giant? Not ICA, at least,” they write.
Few may have missed that at the time of writing, a boycott of all large food chains in Sweden is ongoing. The boycott started with the beginning of the week and will run all week 12.
Above all, it is grocery stores such as Coop, ICA, City Gross, Hemköp and Lidl that are boycotted in a protest against the rising food prices.
Earlier this week, the Chain Coop went out with various measures that the government can take to help the chains lower prices. Some of these proposals were reduced employer contributions for young, reduced costs for supervision and regulations and lowered VAT on fruit and vegetables.
ICA responds to the boycott: not a “food giant”
One of the absolute largest store chains has remained silent during the boycott – until now.
In an advertisement, which has been published in Expressens Paper magazine, Ica writes, among other things: “What is a food giant? Not ICA, at least”.
The cocky answer begins with the words: “For those who want to boycott a food giant. Welcome to ICA”.
In the campaign, ICA explains that they want to “continue to stand on the customers’ side” and that the chain has 1,265 independent local stores across the country.
Meeting with the food giants and government
In any case, it is clear that the government will discuss food prices with the largest players in the market. In addition to ICA, Coop and Axfood (which owns Hemköp and City Gross, among others), it is not yet decided which more chains will be involved.
“The purpose of the conversations is to create dialogue, listen to the industry’s assessment of the situation and to work together for lower prices for food customers,” the government has written in a press release.