Achi news desk-
Canadians participating in the month-long boycott against Loblaw stores have decided on a slogan.
“Nok er nok,” which roughly translates to “enough is enough” in Loblaw CEO Per Bank’s native tongue of Danish, appears to have inspired participants after the grocery operator used it in a statement which was reported to have been shared with Loblaw employees on April 22.
“This time feels appropriate lately, as misconceptions about our role in the ongoing food affordability crisis persist,” Bank wrote.
The statement, titled “Real Talk: Standing up for our colleagues and our business,” was shared by an anonymous Loblaw employee on the Loblaws Out of Control subreddit, which is also the community that organized the boycott.
In it, the CEO addresses the upcoming protest and what he claims is “misinformation being spread online, in the media and by politicians,” about the grocery giant.
“It feels like there is no room for truth,” the statement read.
Bank goes on to acknowledge that rising food prices are a serious concern and Canadians are struggling to make ends meet.
But he then tears into the Loblaw boycott, which is due to start tomorrow.
“We hear people (who are usually not even our customers, by the way) calling for boycotts of our stores or encouraging people to steal… ultimately putting your safety at risk,” Bank wrote.
The CEO refers to posters seen around Toronto advertising “Steal Day from Loblaws!”
The signs did not indicate who was organizing the event, and Loblaws Out of Control has been condemned.
“Although we are more than aware that times are difficult for Canadians, we encourage our peers to abide by local laws and raise their concerns through proper channels,” a member of the group told Daily Hive. “This is not the way to get your voice heard.”
The Reddit community is encouraging Canadians to participate in “Local Grocery Day!” instead, which will take place on May 12, the same day as “Theft Day from Loblaws!” it will happen to be.
Banks then criticizes Canadian leaders for “championing foreign grocery companies” instead of advocating for Canadian businesses.
“That’s what makes this situation so frustrating,” he wrote. “Not only are we unfairly blamed, we’re also not given credit for the value we provide.”
The statement continues to list facts about inflation and how Loblaw says it tries to contain costs while generating value.
One of the Bank’s main talking points is that the cause of food inflation is outside the corporation’s control, echoing what Loblaw President Galen Weston Jr. said. last year.
“I know this is a difficult situation, but like I said, er nok,” the CEO concluded the statement. “We are doing so much to improve the situation, and you should be proud of everything you are doing. Don’t let up!”
Canadians aren’t buying it
Canadians did not shy away from responding to the CEO’s statement on Reddit.
“‘We don’t get credit for the value we provide’ is the most dystopian capitalist change I’ve ever heard,” read one comment.
“It looks like they’re getting scared, it’s working. Keep up the good work! Let’s make sure they know we’re serious and have had enough,” another Redditor added.
Boycotters are now appropriating Bank’s saying “nok er nok” for themselves.
“I can’t believe their own CEO gave us the perfect slogan,” read a post on the Loblaws Out of Control Reddit community. “RIPE for co-op. Oh yes, Per Banc. No er nok, indeed.”
In an interview with the Canadian Press, Bank said it takes customer complaints seriously and wants to keep them happy. He added that if one customer really hates Loblaw, “that’s one too many.”
He also said it was easy for customers to “point fingers” at the grocer rather than other big players because it was well-known.
“We are [a] a much, much easier target, and we need to live with that and that’s fine,” he told the news organization.
Loblaw has not yet responded to Daily Hive’s request for comment.
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