Boycott News & Analysis
2 articles
Market Mood
Starbucks Korea Raid for 'Tank Day' Marketing Campaign Fallout
South Korean police raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea following defamation claims linked to its 'Tank Day' marketing campaign, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The promotion faced backlash, leading to a boycott and Starbucks closing locations for employee history lessons. Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks in South Korea, conducted an internal investigation and acknowledged the campaign's insensitivity, resulting in the dismissal of its chief executive. This controversy has adversely affected sales in one of Starbucks’ largest markets, highlighting vital brand reputation issues for companies operating in sensitive cultural contexts.
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Target Corp. Boycott Looms as Retailer Targets 2% Sales Growth This Fiscal Year
Target Corporation faces a potential boycott initiated by the American Federation of Teachers, which has 1.8 million members. The boycott stems from dissatisfaction with Target's response to federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where two citizens were killed. Target's annual sales have declined for three consecutive years, but the company's new CEO has announced plans for a 2% increase in net sales compared to the previous fiscal year. Target is also implementing price cuts on over 3,000 items to attract customers.
Read More: Target Corp. Boycott Looms as Retailer Targets 2% Sales Growth This Fiscal Year