Margaret River woman Taryn Prince urges protest boycott for major retailers on June 30

A Margaret River woman is saying enough is enough — and encouraging others to join her boycotting major retailers next Friday, June 30. Taryn Prince told the Times she and many of her friends and family were appalled at the ongoing price rises on regular groceries at supermarkets here and nationwide. Following repeated interest rate rises and other cost-of-living pressures, Ms Prince said she wanted consumers to band together and send the majors a strong message. “I’m a local mum who is struggling with all these price increases,” she said. “I’m on a lot of forums, mums budget pages, barefoot investor pages etc. “The recurring theme of late is the exorbitant grocery increases. Most are already struggling with mortgage rate and rental home increases.” Ms Prince cited recent corporate retail profits as an indicator customers were bearing the brunt of inflation she also saw as opportunistic while families were doing it tough. And as the country edged towards a possible recession, she hoped grassroots action now might make a difference. “Hopefully, if not now, but in the future, we can make a difference and we can change the way these prices are heading,” she said. Australia’s big supermarket chains have denied profiteering from inflation, citing a reduction in pandemic-related costs for their good results. Woolworths Group posted a 14 per cent jump in profit after tax to $907 million in its half-yearly results in February. Coles made a $1 billion net profit in the 2021-22 financial year. “Coles is committed to helping Australians with a range of value campaigns to support customers in tough economic circumstances,” a spokesperson said. A Woolworths spokesperson said the company understood shoppers were seeking value for money. “While inflation remains high, we’re focused on providing competitive prices across our stores,” they said. “Due to the costs of transportation, and raw ingredients for many products, we have seen many suppliers passing through wholesale prices increases.” Ms Prince and her friends had watched the price of staples climb month on month. “Myself, friends and family decided we needed to do something,” she said. “As one person, we can’t achieve a lot, but together maybe we can achieve a bit more.” Advocates were using the hashtag #DontShop30JUN as a protest against price increases at major supermarkets. Ms Prince encouraged residents to support smaller businesses and takeaway outlets on next Friday instead.