According to an independent impact report released earlier today by Wits University researcher Ms Ciara Gatonby, Woolworths Holdings Limited has lost over R30 million (close to 3 million dollars) since the start of the #BoycottWoolworths campaign - almost R8 million a month. Gatonby stressed that: "the actual impact could be in the hundreds of millions". The independent "#BoycottWoolworths Impact Report" was released this morning at a press conference in Cape Town.

 

Gatonby also highlighted other statistics from the "#BoycottWoolworths Impact Report" including that, based on a survey of over 3000 participants:

- A large majority of people found out about the #BoycottWoolworths campaign through social media (approximately 50%), followed by friends and family (22%) and mainstream media (12%);

- A majority of 84% of respondents state that they began their boycott of Woolworths in August just after the call to boycott was made by the NC4P and BDS South Africa;

- 92% of respondents state that they would boycott Woolworths for as long as it takes to get the company to end its ties with Israel;

-33% of respondents who have Woolworths South Africa loyalty cards have reportedly cut them up in support for the #BoycottWoolworths campaign;

- Only a small fraction (1%) of respondents said that they could only continue their boycott for a few more days.
- 95% of supporters of the campaign believe that Woolworths is unreasonable to not meet with the organisers of the campaign. Woolworths, to date, has refused to meet with the NC4P, BDS South Africa and other organizers of the campaign.

 

In terms of reach, the hashtag #BoycottWoolworths has reached almost 143 million social media users (as of 24 November) across various platforms since the start of the boycott.

 

Welcoming the report Kwara Kekana of BDS South Africa said: "Woolworths is losing almost R8 million a month for a R12 million trade relationship with Israel. It make no sense, unless Woolworths or some of its management has a vested interest in promoting trade with Israel in violation of the international boycott. It also does not make logical sense when the produce from Israel currently imported by Woolworths can easily be sourced locally".

Early in August 2014 (in line with the BDS call) a call for the complete boycott of Woolworths until it ends its Israeli trade links was made by the NC4P, BDS South Africa, COSATU, ANC Youth League, MJC and various other organisations. The #BoycottWoolworths campaign (as it has been dubbed) has received wide spread attention and support from various South African Government Ministers, artists, well known personalities and anti-apartheid stalwarts.

 

 

 

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