Please leave the politics and do your job!

Boycotting is one of the few powers that ordinary people have. Do you dislike boycotting on principle, or is it because of the country in focus?

You don't have to use the Co-op. It isn't just a supermarket chain.

Well done CO-OP👏👏👏

Good on them I remember boycotting SA goods during Apartheid. Why not.

Do you think supermarket should have continued to buy ad sell German goods during WW2.

Good on Gary. A good Leicester lad, bravo. I used to buy fruit and veg from him on the market. Always so polite and friendly. (irrelevant, I know).

YABU.

Read this from The Guardian:

tinyurl.com/3ym5c872

Extracts:

The Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.

The retailer is unlikely to suffer a significant financial impact from its decision because it sources most of its products from western Europe.

The Co-op, which is known for its efforts to do business ethically, including selling Fairtrade products and supporting local social projects, had already stopped selling Russian products in March 2022, shortly after Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The retailer said the move came after its members had made clear through surveys and motions at its annual meetings that conflict was one of their biggest concerns and that the Co-op “should do all it can to advocate and build peace”.

It was a democratic decision. What is wrong with that?

YANBU

If individuals who are famous want to do whatever, that is on them.
Having said that, the co-op is a co-operative. Though cant believe all are in favour.

If I dont agree with whatever a famous person or company is doing, then I tend to boycott them in return.
All fair in my opinion.

YABU. Surely we all know already that the Co Op is an ethical, fair trade organisation, why would you not be expecting them to make trading decisions based on the principles on which they have always operated? Shop elsewhere if you’re happy to give your money to a company that operates for the benefit of shareholders only.

Political decisions around the world affects all of us, so I don't see why individuals or ethical companies shouldn't make a stand or comment. I, too, remember the boycott of S. African goods as it was one way of showing displeasure.

I've been boycotting Nestle for at least 40 years, due to their policies around promoting formula milk in poorer countries without safe water.

LThe Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.”

So they are not stocking Chinese goods either. Or India or Vietnam and many others where cheap Labour is exploited routinely

fancythat

YANBU

If individuals who are famous want to do whatever, that is on them.
Having said that, the co-op is a co-operative. Though cant believe all are in favour.

If I dont agree with whatever a famous person or company is doing, then I tend to boycott them in return.
All fair in my opinion.

Yes, there are lots of companies under the Co-op umbrella, they are probably all different.
The only goods I buy from Israel are oranges, which are just the best😃 I can buy them anywhere.
Like you, I will vote with my feet and credit card as to where I shop.

David49

LThe Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.”

So they are not stocking Chinese goods either. Or India or Vietnam and many others where cheap Labour is exploited routinely

Have you understood what this ban is about David49?
‘The Co-op said the new list had been compiled by independent assessment of “where there is agreement across respected assessments, such as by the UN and others, that there is consistent behaviour which would constitute community-wide human rights abuses or violations of international law”.’
Guardian.

Virtue signalling. Why don’t they just do it if they feel that way, why the need to broadcast it ?

Casdon

David49

LThe Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.”

So they are not stocking Chinese goods either. Or India or Vietnam and many others where cheap Labour is exploited routinely

Have you understood what this ban is about David49?
‘The Co-op said the new list had been compiled by independent assessment of “where there is agreement across respected assessments, such as by the UN and others, that there is consistent behaviour which would constitute community-wide human rights abuses or violations of international law”.’
Guardian.

So you think that the countries I mentioned do not ignore human right, they probably have laws that uphold rights but then ignore them.
Many countries have anti corruption laws, routinely ignored too.

This is why I am a Co-op member!

Completely disagree, those who have a voice, a choice, should use it for the good of others.

Btw, I absolutely loathe the expression “virtual signalling” a nonsense expression used far too much. IMO, it’s pretty obvious when large companies make it clear where their ethics and morals lie.

Is it virtual signalling when retailers state “products not tested on animals”?

They aren’t virtue signalling nanna8, they are doing what they have always done, and responding according to the principles on which they were founded. It is the press that picked up that Israel is on the list of 15 countries.

I think people forget that the Co Op is not a traditional supermarket, it is owned by its members.

So you think the UK doesn’t ignore human rights then ?

David49

Casdon

David49

LThe Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.”

So they are not stocking Chinese goods either. Or India or Vietnam and many others where cheap Labour is exploited routinely

Have you understood what this ban is about David49?
‘The Co-op said the new list had been compiled by independent assessment of “where there is agreement across respected assessments, such as by the UN and others, that there is consistent behaviour which would constitute community-wide human rights abuses or violations of international law”.’
Guardian.

So you think that the countries I mentioned do not ignore human right, they probably have laws that uphold rights but then ignore them.
Many countries have anti corruption laws, routinely ignored too.

You haven’t read up about this have you David49?

I can’t stick GL so I don’t buy walkers crisps, too expensive anyway.
When he was paid millions as a football pundit, he should have stuck to that.

I agree with the OP.
If I wish to show my displeasure with a particular country I may show my displeasure by refusing to buy their goods. I do not need a company to do it for me.
As it happens, I would not choose to boycott Israeli goods, but their management decision, that is people with vested interests bullying influencing the Board, means I will avoid their stores.

nanna8

Virtue signalling. Why don’t they just do it if they feel that way, why the need to broadcast it ?

Hate that expression too. But that is the whole point of boycotting a regime that is behaving very wrongly and unfairly- to broadcast it. There would be no point otherwise.

David49

LThe Co-op is to stop sourcing goods from Israel, Iran and 15 other countries where it says there are “internationally recognised” rights abuses and violations of international law.”

So they are not stocking Chinese goods either. Or India or Vietnam and many others where cheap Labour is exploited routinely

Exactly.

I do go in there occasionally. About once a month. Next time I do, I will start noticing countries of origin!

So when my grandfather refused to continue to make German uniforms in the late 30s, despite them being one of his biggest client and boycott would severely affect his business at the worst possible time (after the big commercial Crisis of the 30s) because of what was happening to Jews- he was 'virtue signalling'.

Ah well.