The wave of consumer boycotts in Croatia is set to expand, targeting banks and telecom providers following the recent protests against the retail sector, as announced by the Halo Inspektore Facebook group that has been coordinating the boycotts.

With Croatia facing the highest inflation rate in the EU and prices remaining high, consumers are continuing to push back against retailers.

On January 24, Croatian grassroots movements mobilised its first nationwide shopping boycott in response to soaring food prices, calling on citizens to avoid all purchases for the day. The campaign, driven by a viral social media message, urged consumers to protest rising costs with the retail boycott. 

This was later expanded with more weekly boycotts, as well as week-long boycotts specifically targeting specific retailers. Retailers in Croatia are estimated to have lost over €80mn in just two weeks due to the consumer boycott. 

Recent data from the Croatian Tax Administration reveals a notable drop in spending. Transactions on February 7 were down by 15%, while total revenue saw a 20% decline compared to a typical shopping day before the boycott.

Now, the movement is gaining momentum. The consumer advocacy group Halo, Inspektore announced at a recent press conference that public frustration has extended beyond supermarkets, with growing dissatisfaction over rising bank fees and telecom service costs.

As part of this campaign, protesters will gather outside the Croatian National Bank in Zagreb on February 20 for a demonstration titled "5 Minutes of Warning Silence". The event aims to send a strong message to financial institutions.

The movement has meanwhile spread across Southeast Europe. Nationwide shopping boycotts have taken place in several neighbouring countries, including Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.