Stand up to the bully - buy British!

Casdon

growstuff

Do you have a Microsoft operating system? Have you used Google in the last week? If so, switch off your computer right now!

I think this is more about changing the things you can, not an out and out boycott. Technology is just not available unless it has US or Asia involved somewhere, so it’s not really feasible to boycott it - but there are thousands of things that we buy where there are alternative sources.

If the issue here is tariffs, people need to switch their spending from American-imported goods to those which British manufacturers will find it more difficult to export to America.

I don't drink whisky and can't afford a luxury car. I'm not going to support British pharma by taking medications I don't need and I have no need for a JCB. I don't actually buy much tinned or processed food. I'm not going to give up my Microsoft OS, stop Googling or boycott every company which uses Oracle. I really don't think I'm going to be much help in this campaign.

Green and Blacks was sold to Cadbury years ago, then Kraft Foods, now Mondelēz International.

I stand corrected Allira. I will act on this information.

The British are very , very good at marketing medical services like BUPA, Specsavers etc. They market these very well over here, far outstripping any US companies and good for them. They should have kept Cadburys. Much better product than the nasty flavours produced by the US. Maybe they could buy that and Kraft back ? Can’t beat British cheese, we seek it out here together with French products.

Chicago-bsed Mondolez own a lot of familar brands including Halls cough sweets, Toblerone, Philadelphia cheese, Maynard’s Bassett’s.

Mondolez have a bad record in terms of child slavery and palm oil deforestation and carried on trading with Russia long after other companies pulled out. Chief executive of Mondelez, Dirk Van de Put, claimed that investors “do not morally care” if the company continues to do business in Russia.

In May 2024, the European Commission imposed a fine on Mondelez of €337.5 million for anti-competitive practices and for abusing its dominant market position in breach of antitrust laws in the European Union (EU), including illegally blocking cross-border sales of chocolate, cookies, and coffee products between EU countries, thereby preventing retailers from sourcing products from EU countries where prices were lower.

It’s a pretty lousy company all round.

Chocolatelovinggran

I stand corrected Allira. I will act on this information.

Yes, I stopped buying it a while ago because of the promises made to Bristol people that the factory there would not be shut down, then it was immediately after Kraft acquired Cadburys.

Chocolatelovinggran

I stand corrected Allira. I will act on this information.

What chocolate can we eat?

Silverbrooks

Chicago-bsed Mondolez own a lot of familar brands including Halls cough sweets, Toblerone, Philadelphia cheese, Maynard’s Bassett’s.

Mondolez have a bad record in terms of child slavery and palm oil deforestation and carried on trading with Russia long after other companies pulled out. Chief executive of Mondelez, Dirk Van de Put, claimed that investors “do not morally care” if the company continues to do business in Russia.

In May 2024, the European Commission imposed a fine on Mondelez of €337.5 million for anti-competitive practices and for abusing its dominant market position in breach of antitrust laws in the European Union (EU), including illegally blocking cross-border sales of chocolate, cookies, and coffee products between EU countries, thereby preventing retailers from sourcing products from EU countries where prices were lower.

It’s a pretty lousy company all round.

They sound horrendous!

Cossy

Chocolatelovinggran

I stand corrected Allira. I will act on this information.

What chocolate can we eat?

Montezumas is British, I buy mine in Sainsburys but it’s in most major supermarkets I think. It’s very nice chocolate too.

Hotel Chocolat has now sold out to Mars.

The Divine brand, sold in Oxfam shops, is now partly US owned but by sustainable farm to roaster coffee importer Sucafina.

MooFree is a vegan chocolate produced in Holsworthy, Devon.

One thing less to worry about, I seldom eat chocolate.

Tony's Chocoloney is made without child labour. Lindt tastes good.
I understand that Aldi and Lidl chocolate is produced in Europe.
As you can see by my nom de plume I eat chocolate regularly/ often/ all the time..

Sueki44

I have boycotted Starbucks since I discovered that they suck money out of the UK and pay little tax on the enormous profits they make!

Whose fault is that, yes successive British Governments. If companies can legally get out of paying taxes, they will. They are.
A result of the hyperglobalisation, introduced in the 90s by one of our worst PM Blair, and other global elites, such as President, Clinton, and Soros.

Freya5

Sueki44

I have boycotted Starbucks since I discovered that they suck money out of the UK and pay little tax on the enormous profits they make!

Whose fault is that, yes successive British Governments. If companies can legally get out of paying taxes, they will. They are.
A result of the hyperglobalisation, introduced in the 90s by one of our worst PM Blair, and other global elites, such as President, Clinton, and Soros.

I am inclined to agree with you Freya5

Companies will only pay what they legally have to, as do individuals.

I have never heard of anyone on receipt of their tax bill turning round and saying thank you very much here take this extra £2,000 on top of what I legally owe…

So much useful info on here, thanks GNs. A sad farewell to Toblerone, but needs must. Just as well that Lindt bunnies are delish.
Don't think anyone feels you are 'selfish' if you continue to use products and services essential to your well being.
In the same way, it would be too difficult to stop visiting family in the States. Just be aware of what is on your phone.

Friars and Martins are good for luscious chocolates. I buy Lidl and Aldi. They are definitely made in Europe (as far as I’m aware)

There is always your local chocolatier - we have one or two near us that make divine chocolate, and given that I restrict my consumption to once or twice a year - Christmas and Easter - it doesn’t break the bank.

Cancelled Netflix. Generally, I can't think of anything I would buy from the USA or any items in my house that were made in the USA. Although Ninja is a US company the air fryer I have is Made in China. I wouldn't regard buying US products as a quality purchase. I'll be avoiding the brands like coca cola, California wine etc

Allira

I loathe Coke, don't eat McDonalds but, as I pointed out on another thread, boycotting Amazon would mean the loss of British jobs and a blow to British firms and British-made goods which sell through Amazon.
Just be careful what you order.

Wouldn't "buying British" create new jobs? After all people had jobs prior to Amazon.

I urge Boots customers to cultivate local pharmacies - Walgreen (who own Boots) are in a bad way, as is Boots. I find all the smaller Boots’ shops to have little stock and poor staff, it’s only the massive Boots in shopping malls who have any stock. There are fewer staff in the smaller Boots, and as someone who can’t stand for long, the queues are a no-no.

Freya5

Sueki44

I have boycotted Starbucks since I discovered that they suck money out of the UK and pay little tax on the enormous profits they make!

Whose fault is that, yes successive British Governments. If companies can legally get out of paying taxes, they will. They are.
A result of the hyperglobalisation, introduced in the 90s by one of our worst PM Blair, and other global elites, such as President, Clinton, and Soros.

I really don't think we can "blame" the British governments for international financing and investment companies. This phrase used by the right, "hyperglobalisation" is bizarrely blamed on the left.

"Hyperglobalization refers to the intensified and accelerated level of global interconnectedness and interdependence, characterized by rapid flows of goods, services, capital, information, and people, going beyond traditional globalization."

This is a feature of a shrinking world communications wise, investments in one country by another, its just the direction international finance markets and companies have chosen, ever seeking profit at no consideration for the people in any given country.

Seems to me a right wing things to happen, control and concerns for our own citizens leaving the country regardless of need and circumstances. It's not been "introduced" nor fostered by the left at all. Yes, it leaves individual nations governments with less power financially

However...the right has included immigration/migration into "globalisation" as a package alongside the rise of international financing and markets to make an argument "its a lefty plot"
No logic to it. If anything, its international finance that leaves some countries behind and poverty and conflict in those countries leading to a push to leave and move for individuals.

Allira

eddiecat78

Allira

I loathe Coke, don't eat McDonalds but, as I pointed out on another thread, boycotting Amazon would mean the loss of British jobs and a blow to British firms and British-made goods which sell through Amazon.
Just be careful what you order.

I don't understand this argument. If you don't use Amazon you can still buy British goods online which will still need to be delivered.
I can usually buy goods cheaper than when they are sold on Amazon

Some small businesses sell through Amazon and the chances are this brings them to the attention of more shoppers than would be possible otherwise.

I can usually buy goods cheaper than when they are sold on Amazon
If you know exactly what and which small firm to look for.

Not true 100%… a LOT of goods sold on Amazon are Chinese. When I spot these and something I want, I go and check on TEMU and almost always the identical item, brand, etc, are 1/4 of the price. The cheapest free shipping buy on Temu is £15, but I can easily add that up with other things. Take care with clothes as they often show designer type goods as the first pic, but go in to have a good look to see what is actually offered. I have found some of these ‘dups’ to be great! I’d rather buy CHINESE than American, particularly now!
There are of course good BRITISH made items to be bought on Amazon.
But I agree with others that weaning the public off Amazon is likely impossible, as their Prime shipping and Streaming Channels offer is unbeatable!
I will be checking brands more thoroughly now tho.

PS. I used to SELL via Amazon, but they became impossible for the small seller. gave them up for that a few years back now. Their treatment of SELLERS is bad! Unless you are a Mega firm!

Apparently Trumps rational for the tariffs is to crash the economy in order for interest rates to fall therefore allowing them to restructure their debt and reduce their repayments.

Chocolatelovinggran

Tony's Chocoloney is made without child labour. Lindt tastes good.
I understand that Aldi and Lidl chocolate is produced in Europe.
As you can see by my nom de plume I eat chocolate regularly/ often/ all the time..

Aldi chocolate is very good, they do an excellent rum and raisin bar.