Danish grocery giant is marking European goods
The Danish retail giant, Salling Group, is now starting to mark its goods with the country of origin to make it easier for customers to choose European and explicitly not American goods.
Many believe that President Trump is a dangerous president. At least he has managed the "artistic feat" of getting millions of people inside and outside the USA to look at him in shock and dismay - over lack of statesmanship and humanity.
His tariff barriers and protectionism might hurt himself and the US more than anyone else. No longer are only its national icons like Robert De Niro, Richard Geere protesting loud over Trump’s politics. Also, big retailers are beginning to speak out.
Consumers all over are creating boycott groups of American goods and the Danish retail giant, Salling Group, is now starting to mark its goods with the country of origin to make it easier for customers to choose European and explicitly not American goods.
“We have recently received a number of inquiries from customers who want to buy groceries from European brands. To accommodate this, during March we will introduce a new marking on our electronic price tags in Bilka, føtex and Netto, where a small star will show if the brand is owned by a European company,” writes CEO Anders Hagh on LinkedIn.
The increased focus on European products does not mean, however, that the American products will disappear from the shelves.
“Our stores will continue to have brands on the shelves from all over the world, and it will always be up to the customers to choose. The new label alone is an extra service for customers who want to buy goods with European brands.”
Loblaw marks Canadian goods
Much closer to the US, former Salling Group chief executive Per Bank finds himself in the position of CEO of Canadian Loblaw. Almost simultaneously with his successor's announcement on LinkedIn, Per Bank was also able to present a political statement.
“Loblaw will in future mark all Canadian goods with a small maple leaf – in reference to the Canadian flag – on the price tags.”
The author of this article thinks that economically, EU should not increase tariffs against the US, as this will only make the crisis worse and make goods more expensive for European consumers.
Moreover, there is a risk of further countermeasures from an American president who as evaluated by this author, clearly does not have the US's best interests at heart. An open trade war is in no one's interest, neither Europe nor the US. Therefore, EU should take the least possible countermeasures. Whether it is politically possible remains to be seen.
Sources: Salling Group, The Guardian, Economist, FT and more.